7) Nurturing dreams: collected essays on architecture and the city, by Fumihiko Maki (2008) [electronic resource] (pp. 180- 192).

The twentieth century was an exciting time for developing new forms of space. Cities and architecture were forms that provided space with order, and evidently Japan followed the Western lead on this front, as their architecture was viewed as one of progress and authority. It is no wonder that Le Corbusier’s work was regarded as a ‘syndrome’ in Japan, as his modern developments spread so quickly from France and its neighbouring countries, as he transformed from a young hero to the master of the 20^th century.

I feel the Japanese take on Western architecture was important, in the way that they never simply adopted foreign designs, but adapted them distinctively with Japanese ways to become a mix of the two styles. For example the Government’s building being a Western style building with a Japanese style roof. Japan’s modern movement was also entirely neutral in political content, as opposed to Europe’s modernism rejecting historicism.

I personally feel Le Corbusier’s influence on Japan was a great success and not only did he influence them architecturally, but also through his ideas of urbanism and the pictures he had for the ultimate techno-utopia of an unlimited city.