Ever since U.S. B-29 bombers leveled Emperor Hirohito's palatial quarters within Tokyo's moat-encircled imperial compound in May 1945, the imperial family has made do with modest quarters, first the palace air-raid shelter and, since 1961, a 15-room house in the palace compound. Five years ago it was decided that proper settings for the Emperor's ceremonial occasions could no longer be delayed. The architect picked for the honor of designing the Emperor's $25.5 million palace: Junzo Yoshimura, now 56, a professor in Tokyo's University of Fine Arts as well as the prestigious designer...
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