Work has yet to begin at about 30 per cent of priority heritage sites nearly 7 years after the blaze that destroyed Okinawa’s Shuri Castle
3-MIN READ3-MINJulian RyallPublished: 8:00am, 9 Mar 2026Japan’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 by the Kyoto-based Agency for Cultural Affairs, was launched in fiscal 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.
Fire engulfs Japan’s 600-year-old Shuri Castle, a World Heritage Site in Okinawa
Fire engulfs Japan’s 600-year-old Shuri Castle, a World Heritage Site in Okinawa“For World Heritage sites and buildings designated as national treasures, the measures go beyond the firefighting equipment mandated by the Fire Service Act, such as fire extinguishers and automatic fire alarm systems,” said Hiroko Moriyama, an official with the agency.
