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By 1944 (Showa 19) the war situation was becoming more severe, and air raids on Japanese cities are beginning. To protect vital telephone lines, a 'National Defense Telephone Exchange' capable of withstanding a direct hit by a 1-ton bomb is built behind the Prime Minister's Residence. The design of this oddly-shaped building is due to the structural demands of pouring 2500 tons of cement. Sealed by double and triple doors, the building features gas purification systems, its own power generators and heating and cooling equipment. As the Tokyo air raids intensify, it is said that the cabinet ministers sometimes flee to this building to continue their meetings.
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