160307-0021 - Ikebukuro Traffic Control

A Japanese police officer observes the traffic from the Traffic Control Tower (コントロールタワー・操車室) at the Mutsumata Rotary (六ツ又交差点) in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, ca. 1965 (Showa 40).

The 11 meter high tower started operations in November 1962 (Showa 37) and reduced the accidents that took place at this location from several hundreds to just a few dozen.

The tower was torn down on August 22, 1968 (Showa 43) to allow construction of the elevated highway Route 5.