Building High in a Land of Earthquakes
2026-08-20
For many years, building skyscrapers in Japan seemed almost impossible. Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, and conventional wisdom suggested that very tall buildings were simply too dangerous.
Building High in a Land of Earthquakes
For many years, building skyscrapers in Japan seemed almost impossible. Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, and conventional wisdom suggested that very tall buildings were simply too dangerous.
Kiyoshi Muto (Building High in a Land of Earthquakes) helped change that thinking.
Muto was a Japanese structural engineer who experienced the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 while studying at Tokyo Imperial University. That experience influenced his lifelong study of earthquake-resistant structures.
Instead of trying to make buildings completely rigid, Muto developed structural concepts that allowed tall buildings to move and absorb the energy of an earthquake without collapsing.
His work played a major role in the construction of the Kasumigaseki Building, completed in Tokyo in 1968. At 36 stories and 147 meters tall, it is widely recognized as Japan’s first modern skyscraper.
Muto did not eliminate earthquakes.
He learned how to build with them in mind.
Sometimes innovation does not come from removing the problem. It comes from accepting reality and designing something that can survive it.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
Uchikura & Co., LLC
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
Uchikura & Co., LLC
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..