Prime Minister's Official Residence (Japan)

The Prime Minister's Official Residence is the official workplace and residence of the Prime Minister of Japan. It is commonly referred to as Sōri Daijin Kantei (総理大臣官邸),[1] Shushō Kantei (首相官邸), or simply Kantei (官邸).

Prime Minister's Official Residence
総理大臣官邸
The east façade of the new Official Residence
Prime Minister's Official Residence is located in Japan
Prime Minister's Official Residence
Prime Minister's Official Residence
General information
Address2-3-1 Nagatachō
Chiyoda-ku
100-8968
Town or cityTokyo
CountryJapan
Coordinates35°40′23″N 139°44′35″E
Current tenantsPrime Minister of Japan, Spouse of the Prime Minister and Family, Cabinet Secretariat
Construction startedMay 22, 1999 (May 22, 1999)
CompletedApril 22, 2002 (April 22, 2002)
Height35 meters
Technical details
Floor count5 floors above ground, 1 basement
Floor area25,000 m²
Grounds46,000 m²
Design and construction
Architect(s)Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Minister's Secretariat
Website
kantei.go.jp

Located at 2-3-1 Nagata-chō, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100–8968, it is diagonally adjacent to the National Diet Building. The term Kantei is used as a metonym for the office of the Prime Minister of Japan and for the Prime Minister's advisors and administration in general.

In addition to being the principal office and residence of the Prime Minister, the building also serves as the principal office of the Chief Cabinet Secretary and their Deputy, the location of Cabinet meetings, and is also the location of a national crisis management center.[2]

History

First Residence

With the evolution of a national parliament after the Meiji Restoration and the establishment of the post of "Prime Minister of Japan" in 1885, the need for an official prime ministerial residence was felt. On the encouragement of Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi, the first residence was completed on 18 March 1929. It incorporates architectural styles such as Art Deco and expressionist architecture which became popular from the late Taishō period to the early Shōwa period. It was heavily influenced by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, in particular his design for the second Tokyo Imperial Hotel. It is a two-storied mansion designed by Muraji Shimomoto, of the Ministry of the Treasury (now Ministry of Finance).[3] Prime Minister Tanaka is said to have exclaimed, "This is just like a café, isn't it?",[4] upon seeing the building.

By the 1990s, the old 5,200 square metres (56,000 sq ft) building was deemed cramped and insufficient. It underwent seismic retrofitting and internal renovation.[5] The former Residence is now known as the Sōri Kōtei (総理公邸), the Prime Minister's personal residential quarters.

  • The old residence, c1929
    The old residence, c1929
  • The old residence in the year of its completion, 1929
    The old residence in the year of its completion, 1929
  • The old residence in 2022
    The old residence in 2022

Second Residence

A new five-storied residence was built in 2002 next to the old residence, with 2.5 times the floor space.[6] Installed with solar panels and a rainwater storage system, the new building has been designed to minimize environmental impact.[7] The new residence went into service in April 2002[8]

In an April 2015 incident, a Phantom 2 drone carrying traces of radiation was found on the roof of the PM's office.[9]

New Residence
  • The west façade of the Kantei (valley side)
    The west façade of the Kantei (valley side)
  • The official residence viewed from the Kasumigaseki Building in 2010
    The official residence viewed from the Kasumigaseki Building in 2010
  • Ministerial reception room
    Ministerial reception room
  • Cabinet room
    Cabinet room
  • Stairs between the 2nd and 3rd floors. Commemorative photo after the cabinet formation
    Stairs between the 2nd and 3rd floors. Commemorative photo after the cabinet formation
  • Hall
    Hall
  • Honor guard in the hall
    Honor guard in the hall
  • Special Reception Room
    Special Reception Room
  • Meeting with the Prime Minister in the press conference room. Behind it is the blue curtain used by the Prime Minister
    Meeting with the Prime Minister in the press conference room. Behind it is the blue curtain used by the Prime Minister
  • Green curtain for meeting with the Chief Cabinet Secretary
    Green curtain for meeting with the Chief Cabinet Secretary
  • The Prime Minister's press conference in the lobby
    The Prime Minister's press conference in the lobby

Notes
  1. 部局課名・官職名英訳名称一覧 Names of Government Organizations and Positions, June 9, 2008.
  2. "Support staff at Kantei". Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  3. "An Overview of the Prime Minister's Official Residence". Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  4. "The Entrance Hall". Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  5. "外観・正面玄関". Prime Minister's Office of Japan. May 30, 2020. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022.
  6. "An Overview of the Prime Minister's Official Residence". Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  7. "Environmental measures and barrier-free environment". Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  8. "Overview of the Prime Minister's Official Residence". Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  9. Drone 'containing radiation' lands on roof of Japanese PM's office April 22, 2015 The Guardian Retrieved May 4, 2015
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