TOKYO, July 16 (NNN-NHK) – At least 54 cultural assets in Japan were damaged by recent torrential rain-triggered floods and landslides, that battered swathes of the country, with southwest Kyushu being particularly hard hit, prefectural authorities said, Wednesday.
They include the Miike Coal Mine and Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region, both designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, according to local officials.
Officials said that numerous privately owned cultural assets have likely been damaged in the downpours.
Torrential rain pummelled regions spanning southwestern to northeastern Japan, affecting 15 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, with more than 100 rivers flooding, and around 380 landslides occurring in at least 27 prefectures.
Kumamoto Prefecture is home to 21 of the 54 assets known to have been damaged, as a result of the torrential rain hitting the prefecture, particularly hard, local officials said.
According to the Cultural Affairs Agency, expediting repair and restoration work is now vital to preserving the assets.
This is because “there is only so much you can do as a precautionary measure against natural disasters,” a representative for the agency was quoted as saying.
While preventative measures against flooding and landslides involves comprehensive construction work, the work of relocating cultural assets and properties in some cases is especially difficult, the agency said.– NNN-NHK
