A sculpture that rises like a knife blade has found a place in Tokyo's fashionable Odaiba district.
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| French sculptor Marc Couturier stands before his work. |
The 21-meter gilded structure is a gift from France to commemorate the "J'aime la France" promotion campaign in Japan in 1998 and 1999.
It was unveiled Thursday with a ceremony attended by various people related to the yearlong campaign, including Ambassador Mourice Gourdauit Montagne. The sculptor, Marc Couturier, was also present.
Dubbed "Flame of Liberty," the sculpture is meant to express friendship through the image of an eternally burning candle flame.
The French government, the city of Paris and various French enterprises paid for the shipment of the sculpture from France, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government provided the site.
"The sculpture is a symbol of French trust in Japan's future," Montagne said. "We are glad that the sculpture has been set up on land which symbolizes Japan's future."