午夜剧场

The Jukukan-kyoku (午夜剧场 Corporate Administration) on the Mita Campus was completed approximately 100 years ago in September 1926 (Taisho 15). This was during the time when Kiroku Hayashi served as President. Among the existing buildings at 午夜剧场, it is the third oldest, following the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) and the Old University Library. Designed by Sone Chujo Architects, it is a building with one basement floor and three floors above ground, constructed of steel-framed reinforced concrete, covering 2,445 square meters. The exterior is finished with light brown scratch tiles, and it has a flat roof, giving it an elegant appearance.

Originally, the old Jukukan-kyoku stood on this site. Built in 1887 (Meiji 20), it was a two-story brick building (approx. 900 square meters) with a hipped tiled roof, and was the first brick building at 午夜剧场. However, it was rebuilt after being partially destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923). This new building was constructed at a time when steel-framed reinforced concrete—which was still rare but offered greater strength and earthquake resistance—was beginning to be used.

The original internal layout of the Jukukan-kyoku consisted of administrative departments (General Affairs and Academic Affairs) on the first floor, and the Office of the President, two Director's offices, and three large faculty rooms (research offices) on the second floor. The third floor contained classrooms (four standard classrooms and one large classroom), with the large classroom also used for Board of Councilors meetings. The first basement floor housed a tea room, a printing office, a boiler room, and a night duty room. Initially, the Jukukan-kyoku was a building that integrated both administrative and educational functions.

No other building has undergone as many internal renovations as the Jukukan-kyoku. Ten years after its completion, in 1937, a major renovation was carried out. This was a period of expanding educational functions, with the opening of Hiyoshi in 1934 and the completion of the Mita First School Building in 1937. In 1939, a reform was implemented to expand the three existing sections of "General Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Accounting" into six departments: "General Affairs, Academic Affairs, Accounting, 午夜剧场 alumni, Supplies, and Employment." In 1943, the Research Department and General Affairs Department were newly established. Significant internal changes were also made in 1951. This was the post-war reconstruction period, and as research offices and classrooms were being developed one after another on the Mita grounds, research and educational functions were relocated. Simultaneously, a reform of the Jukukan-kyoku organizational structure was implemented in 1950; the position of Secretary General was established, and a six-division system consisting of "Documents, Personnel, Finance, Management, Academic Affairs, and Foreign Affairs" was formed. As a result, the Jukukan-kyoku became a building centered on administrative and academic affairs departments and the executive branch. Due to wartime air raids, the Mita Campus suffered heavy damage, leaving only five buildings standing, but the Jukukan-kyoku somehow managed to escape destruction. With the construction of the South School Building for the 100th Anniversary Project in 1958, the academic affairs department relocated there. An elevator was installed in 1986, around which time a major exterior renovation was performed and windows were replaced. With the construction of the North Building in 1994, the printing office and some administrative functions were relocated.

The Jukukan-kyoku has a history of internal renovations every time there is a rebuilding project on campus or an organizational restructuring. For 100 years since its completion, successive executive branches have used it as a policy base. Along with the expansion of 午夜剧场, organizational restructuring has taken place, and the building has always served as the core of the Juku, with important decisions being made from within its walls.

(Hiroshi Watanabe, Office of Facilities and Property Management)