Heritage fire safety upgrades continue across priority sites in Japan

Fire safety programme continues at heritage sites

Japan is continuing fire protection upgrades at priority heritage sites after the 2019 blaze that destroyed major structures at Shuri Castle in Okinawa.

The South China Morning Post reported that work has not yet begun at around 30 per cent of the 107 cultural properties placed under a national programme launched in 2020 by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

So far, 64 designated sites have installed new fire protection measures.

A further seven locations are undergoing upgrades.

The programme was introduced after the October 2019 fire at the UNESCO World Heritage site in Naha, which burned for nearly 12 hours and destroyed six buildings covering about 4,200 square metres.

Investigators later found that the fire began at an electrical distribution board.

Authorities ruled out arson.

According to Hiroko Moriyama of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the programme adds measures beyond those required under Japan’s Fire Service Act.

World Heritage sites and national treasures are being equipped with flame detectors, specialised fire hydrants and upgraded alarm systems alongside conventional extinguishers.

Moriyama said: “This will help safeguard irreplaceable cultural assets that would otherwise be lost forever if they were damaged by fire.”

Funding, delays and the revised timetable

The South China Morning Post also reported that the Japanese government will cover up to 85 per cent of the cost of the new fire protection systems.

Nearly 13 billion yen, equivalent to around US$82.3 million, has already been allocated to support upgrades at temples, shrines, castles, palaces and historic residences.

Matsue Castle in Shimane Prefecture has installed new flame and smoke detectors as well as a replacement sprinkler system.

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano has introduced high-sensitivity smoke detectors and set up a dedicated 24-hour self-defence fire brigade for emergency response.

Officials said progress has slowed because some sites lost income during the Covid-19 pandemic, material costs rose and some stakeholders disagreed over how to install upgrades without affecting historic architecture.

Some projects have also been slowed by access issues at sites in mountainous areas.

Moriyama said: “We understand there are various individual circumstances that are the reason for the delays.”

Authorities have not identified the sites where work has yet to begin because they said publishing that information could create security risks.

With the original five-year programme nearing its end, the government has introduced a new four-year scheme that will continue support for sites still needing improved fire protection.

The revised scheme will also fund measures to improve resistance to earthquakes and flooding.

Under the updated timetable, the Agency for Cultural Affairs expects the remaining fire safety improvements at priority sites to be completed by 2035.

Work to rebuild Shuri Castle is nearing completion, with the structures around the hilltop courtyard expected to reopen to visitors in the autumn.