Fire safety upgrades stall at Japan’s castles, shrines and temples

Japan’s most treasured historic sites still lack upgraded fire protection, raising concerns that irreplaceable cultural landmarks remain vulnerable to another catastrophic blaze.

The campaign, overseen by the Kyoto-based Agency for Cultural Affairs, was launched in 2020 to strengthen fire protection at 107 of the country’s most important historic structures, but officials say the timetable has slipped due to a series of unforeseen hurdles.

Of the sites identified under the plan, 64 have installed new fire defences and a further seven are currently undergoing upgrades.

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Fire engulfs Japan’s 600-year-old Shuri Castle, a World Heritage Site in Okinawa

Hiroko Moriyama, an official with the agency, said the programme went well beyond what the Fire Service Act required, with World Heritage sites and national treasures receiving flame detectors and specially designed fire hydrants on top of the standard extinguishers and alarm systems.