Meiji Seimei Kan

• Location: Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan.

• Architect: Shinichiro Okada

• Style: Neo-classical

• Completed in: 1934

• Designation: Important Cultural Property (Japan)

The Meiji Seimei Kan, completed in 1934 in Tokyo’s Marunouchi district, was built as the headquarters of Meiji Life Insurance, a company established in 1881 that rapidly emerged as a pioneer in Japan's life insurance sector. The building, designed by Shinichiro Okada in the Neo-classical style, features imposing Corinthian columns, a grand stone façade, and a solid symmetrical form, projecting stability, permanence, and authority.

At the time of its construction, Japan was undergoing rapid modernization and industrial expansion, and financial institutions like Meiji Life Insurance sought to demonstrate their strength and reliability through monumental architecture. Meiji Life Insurance, in particular, grew into one of the nation’s most dominant financial institutions, providing security for individuals while fueling economic development through massive investments in infrastructure, industry, and real estate.

The Meiji Seimei Kan, serving as the headquarters of Meiji Life Insurance stood as a visible symbol of Japan’s growing economic power and its ability to rival Western financial institutions in scale and dignity. It gave confidence to policyholders and investors, reassured the public of the company’s stability, and reinforced Marunouchi’s status as the nation’s financial and business hub. The building was regarded as both a civic landmark and a corporate monument, reflecting Japan’s ambition to be seen as a modern, global economic power while still grounding itself in traditions of order and authority.

The building was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1997, which was the first building built in the Showa period to receive this designation.

6-storey high massive Corinthian columns and a grand stone façade (the building itself is a steel reinforced concrete structure)

Rosettes and modillions under cornice with lion's heads

Rusticated granite façade with detailed window surrounds, using stone sourced from Okayama Prefecture

Grand hallways on the 2nd floor going around the atrium

Conference Room: Meiji Seimei Kan was once requisitioned by US after the WWII. This conference room was used to hold meetings for the Allied Council for Japan.

Meeting for Allied Council for Japan with MacArthur giving a speech (No Copyrights / Public Domain)

Dining Room

Executive Office

Southwest Reception Room

West Reception Room

West Reception Room

Grand Stairs

Health Consultation Room

Plaque for  Important Cultural Property (Japan)

References:

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Meiji Seimei Kan. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 16, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Seimei_Kan

三菱グループ. (2016, August). 明治生命館 — 近代日本史の目撃者にして重要文化財. みにきて！みつびし. Retrieved September 16, 2025, from https://www.mitsubishi.com/ja/minikite/vol02.html