Japan’s cultural treasures still exposed to fire risk as safety upgrades stall

Japan’s cultural treasures still exposed to fire risk as safety upgrades stall

Japan’s most treasured historic sites still lack upgraded fire protection, raising concerns that irreplaceable cultural landmarks remain vulnerable to another catastrophic blaze. Government data shows work has yet to begin at about 30 per cent of the cultural properties prioritised for stronger safeguards under a national programme to improve fire resistance at key heritage buildings created in the aftermath of the devastating blaze at Shuri Castle in Okinawa in 2019. The campaign, overseen b...

By Julian Ryall