The Diet Building, Tokyo

The National Diet buildings are the Japanese version of the House of Parliament. One day riding the subway I stumbled across it. My destiny perhaps, or my wa as the Japanese would call it. My books told me that the tour was boring and in Japanese but I was looking for something different.

To take the tour you must make an application. The guard at the entrance did not speak English but he was prepared. He presented a sheet with several questions written in English and multiple-choice answers. He led me through the questions by pointing to each with his finger and I answered by pointing to the correct answer. One of the questions was “Do you mind if the tour is in English?” I pointed to the answer No. And so the conversation went. Another question was “Do you mind if the tour guide plays you a tape in English?” Again I pointed to the answer NO. When the interview concluded he produced another card that said, “The tour will begin shortly. Please have a seat.” And then he pointed at a chair.

I do not think the tour guide was thrilled to have an English speaker in the group. At one point I was made to sit apart from the rest of the group while a tape described the details of the room. Meanwhile the tour guide spoke to the rest of the group in Japanese on the other side of the room. It was an interesting approach to dealing with a foreigner but left me feeling isolated.

And here I have suddenly discovered a theme to my time in Japan. I always felt respect. The tour guide at the Diet was very polite to me and genuinely interested in ensuring I understood each room on the tour. But to make me understand I was separated from the group and given tapes to listen to.

Isolated and alone, but appreciating the depth of Japanese culture and the respect it implied, I continued on my journey.

The Diet of Japan consists of two Houses elected for a term of 4 years. This is is the House of Representatives with 480 members. The other one is called the House of Councillors and it has 242 members. The Diet is responsible for electing a prime minister. I think the Japanese political system and constitution resemble very much those of the USA.

This is the Japanese parliament building. I was privileged, together with the rest of the kids, to be given an audience by His Hon Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu in the VIP/State reception room. Certainly, this was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

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The Japanese Parliament or The National Diet of Japan is special in Asia as it is the first parliament ever to be established in Asia.
Construction commenced in 1920 and it was completed in 1936. Its interior is lavishly done in style mixture Japanese and European elements. Elaborate curtains, marble and Arabesque stained-glass can be found everywhere.
The entrance for the public is close to the Metro station. There you have to fill out a sheet per group about personal details to preserve security. The guided tour is for free but to my knowledge it is only in Japanese. However, as an English speaker you are provided with a good pamphlet with lots of background information. The guided tour is the only possibility to have a look at the interior as freely moving through the building is not allowed.
The tour itself takes around one hour and your are being shown the Chamber of the House of Councillors with the public gallery, the Central Hall and the Emperor's Room, after which are guided to the front of the diet for taking pictures, where the tour ends.

My major was Political Science, so this may appeal to me more than the average person. But in Japan, this is like taking a drive by the US Capital Dome. It is where government is conducted and an occasional fist fight breaks out in the diet (Their Congress).

I have not had the good fortune to ever go inside, but I have heard that tours are possible. You may want to check with your hotel concierge to find out more information. If you take a bus tour, you will pass it. I have taken numerous tours, and it always seems to be along the way to wherever you are going.

Japanese parliament building.

This is where the decisions are made for Japan.