Kumamoto Castle reopened to the public on Thursday, approximately two weeks after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the prefecture on July 28 and registered up to 7 — the highest level on Japan's seismic intensity scale — in some areas.
Kumamoto Castle reopens two weeks after 7.1 magnitude earthquake
Kumamoto Castle reopened to the public on Thursday, approximately two weeks after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the prefecture on July 28 and registered up to 7 — the highest level on Japan's seismic intensity scale — in some areas.
About 200 visitors, including foreign tourists, lined up outside the castle before it reopened at 9 a.m. Thursday. Among them was Hirotoshi Iwashina, 61, from Shizuoka Prefecture, who stood in front of a collapsed section of the castle's stone walls.
According to the city government, the earthquake caused damage at 59 locations across the castle compound, including cracks in the main tower. In areas open to the public, some window frames became detached, but the city government said there were no major abnormalities in the buildings or their facilities.
On Wednesday, about 10 municipal government employees and facility operators conducted a comprehensive inspection and confirmed procedures for responding to aftershocks.
When two similarly powerful earthquakes struck the prefecture a decade ago, it took approximately two and a half years for part of the castle to reopen. All 13 buildings designated as national important cultural properties in the castle sustained damage in those earthquakes, and reconstruction work is still under way, with full restoration expected in fiscal 2052.
Since July 28, the castle has been illuminated throughout the night, and the city said the nighttime lighting will continue for the foreseeable future following the reopening.
- The source does not state the total number of casualties or displaced persons resulting from the July 28 earthquake.
- The source does not state the estimated cost of the damage to the castle compound.
- The source does not state the specific criteria used to determine which areas of the castle were deemed safe for public access.
- The source does not identify the city government official quoted by name or title.
- The source does not state the current visitor capacity or any restrictions placed on public access following the reopening.
Read the original at The Japan Times