04/04 yomiuri MUSINGS

MUSINGS / April 4, 2011
The Yomiuri Shimbun

The following is a translation of the Henshu Techo column from The Yomiuri Shimbun's April 4 issue.

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It was in March 1970 that the Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant's No. 1 reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, began operation as the nation's first light water reactor for commercial use.

Its launch coincided with the opening of the Japan World Exposition 1970, and electricity generated at the plant, operated by Japan Atomic Power Co., was sent to the exposition's venue in Osaka Prefecture as "atomic light."

This was during the era of Japan's rapid economic growth, a time when the entire country was brimming over with hope and vitality.

Forty-one years have passed since then, and this year marks the centenary of the birth of Taro Okamoto (1911-1996), the artist who created the "Tower of the Sun" statue known as the symbol of Expo '70.

The life of this unique artist has been showcased at exhibitions, including one at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.

Okamoto was said to have disliked the overall theme of the exposition--"Progress and Harmony for Mankind"--and came up with the folkloric "Tower of the Sun" as something extravagant to contrast the other, modern structures at the exposition.

He wanted Expo '70 to be a festival that would "wake the vitality hidden deep down in the hearts of the Japanese."

Today, however, this antimodern tower appears to symbolize the period of Japan's rapid economic growth. It expresses the primary energy of mankind and is the very picture of a time when Japan was full of vigor.

The tower must be calling on Japanese who are exhausted in the aftermath of the massive quake and tsunami, saying: "Rise up, believing that you have vitality hidden deep down in your heart."

(Apr. 7, 2011)