A Japanese electronics company has unveiled what it claims is the world's tallest elevator testing tower.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation opened the 173m-high (567ft) tower, called Solae, on January 3.

The 5bn-yen ($50m) structure will allow the firm to conduct extensive research on high-speed elevators to serve the next generation of mega-tall buildings.

Mitsubishi said it would use the building, which dominates the skyline of Inazawa City, to test new gears, cables, drives and other lift devices.

The Tokyo-based company also hopes that tower will become a symbolic landmark of the local community.

According to Mitsubishi, Solae offers a stable testing environment made possible by oil dampers and an anti-vibration system that prevents the tower from vibrating due to wind.

Burj Dubai, which was developed by Emaar Properties, is currently the world's tallest building.

The tower is a staggering 693m (2,275ft) tall.