Planners reveal design of world's tallest tower for downtown Tokyo

TOKYO — Japanese planners on Friday revealed the design of a huge broadcast tower that is set to become the world's tallest structure upon completion in 2011.
The tower will stand 2,013 feet tall, according to Tobu Railway, which has provided land for the project. It will claim the title from the CN Tower in Toronto, a 1,815-foot communications structure and outlook point that is the world's tallest freestanding structure.
Dubbed the "New Tokyo Tower," the building will replace a 1,090-foot tower built in 1958.
The tower, designed by award-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando and sculptor Kiichi Sumikawa, will stand on a triangular foundation. But its slender body will turn into a cylinder as it stretches upward, its bluish-silver color blending into the sky.
The tower is being built by Japan's six top broadcasters and is expected to greatly bolster television and radio transmissions in the capital.
Though it competes with a plethora of skyscrapers, the old tower is one of Tokyo's most visible landmarks and is visited by 2.5 million tourists each year. The new tower will stand in the capital's Sumida ward, an area between the Sumida and Arakawa rivers known for its old-Tokyo ambience.
Sumida ward beat out 15 areas in Tokyo to host the tower.

Prayer Update from Switzerland

Prayer Update
Roger & Gaynor Ridley
rgridley@t-online.de
November 2006

Praise Points

We are having amazing team meetings each Sunday at 4pm. Mosaic Basel – Lörrach is well on the way to being launched.

We had the remarkable privilege to hear from David & Susie Nelson, Church planters in Salt Lake City, Utah www.k2thechurch.com Boy has God used them!! God brought them to Basel especially to speak with us, encourage us and speak to the team! (Well, it feels like that anyway).

To be able to meet Erwin McManus (Mosaic LA) briefly whilst he was speaking at a Young People’s Conference in Basel 18-19 November.

We mentioned our bicycles last update! We are making the most of them before winter really sets in. Roger is probably keener than Gaynor!!

Our beautiful family. Tim & Amy, Glenda & Tom in Melbourne; Jocelyn in Japan teaching English but will be with us from 23 December.

For our faithful supporters who really do have a partnership in what we are doing.

Our continued good health and fitness.

Prayer Points

Pray that our team of 15 people will learn from what the Nelson’s shared with us and be more proactive in seeking to reach people who don’t follow Christ.

We pray God will excite people who hear about us to join our team.

We have a team (8) coming to Lörrach for 1 week from 28 November to help us identify where the English speakers in this area are. For good opportunities, boldness and knowing God’s leading.

Our first public event! A Chamber Concert in Basel on 1 December. More details on website www.expatriates.com Click on Switzerland and then Events!!

Continuing to persist with learning German. Discipline to do a little homework each day.

For continued monthly support. We thank God for a small increase, but we do need more regular support.

Price of gas below 140 yen per liter

The average retail price of regular gasoline was 139.50 yen per liter as of Monday, down 0.70 yen from the previous week and falling below 140 yen for the first time in three months, the Oil Information Center said Wednesday.
The fall in the price of gas is gaining momentum and there is speculation that it will go on dropping as crude prices fall. Gas stations in some parts of the Tokyo metropolitan area -- where competition is fierce -- have reduced their regular gas prices to below 130 yen, center officials said.
Gasoline prices are expected to fall further as oil wholesalers' recently cut the prices of gasoline and other petroleum products for shipment in November by margins of between about 1.0 yen and 3.50 yen per liter.