In 1999, twenty architectural works completed prior to 1966 were selected for their
innovative construction techniques and their social significance. In January 2000, the
exhibition “DOCOMOMO 20 JAPAN: Modernist Architecture as Cultural Heritage”
was held at the Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura [010], which is one of the selected
buildings.
The selected works ranged from those directly influenced by the Modern Movement in
the west at that time, to the Miyuki-no-ma at Hasshokan [009], which displays an
awareness of Japanese tradition, and the Sumitomo Building [002], which combines
motifs from Western classical architecture with unadorned architectural expression.
Though none of these architectural works had been designated with Cultural Property
status at the time they were selected, as of 2026, nine works are preserved as National
Important Cultural Properties, and three as Local Cultural Properties. While the
Dojunkai Apartment Houses [001] have been demolished, nineteen of the selected
works are still standing and in use, including the Tokyo Central Post Office [005],
which has undergone significant alterations.