[/floatr]Asahi: 78 billion Yen tab to fix up Tokyo symbol
A soaring tower complex in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward that signaled the capital's arrival as an international metropolis is plagued by rainwater leaks, rusted pipes and other wear-and-tear that will cost 78 billion yen to put right. The tab is half of what it cost to erect the buildings in 1991...The buildings house the Tokyo metropolitan government and its assembly...In recent years, the site has been plagued with problems. Last October, rusted water pipes burst in the men's toilet on the fourth floor of the assembly building. Because the accident occurred late at night, 54 tons of water leaked... A more persistent problem is leaking rainwater. Black stains have appeared above the ceilings of the observation deck on the 45th floor, the cafeteria on the 32nd floor and the first-floor entrance. Buckets have been placed to collect the leaks, but metropolitan government workers say they are fighting a losing battle. "The location of the leaks changes depending on the strength of the rain and wind direction," one worker said. "We can only take stopgap measures because we have no idea where the water will enter from"...more...
