Japanese cultural affair’s agency launched a project team in a bid to reconstruct Kumamoto Castle that was severely damaged by the earthquake last month. The team will study a method of quake resisting works and the schedule in cooperation with Ministry of Infrastructure and local municipalities.

Kumamoto Castle, established 400 years ago by the feudal lord Kiyomasa Kato, is partly designated as important cultural properties and owned by the government. While it has not been estimated officially, the damages are likely to cost more than ten billion yen according to the agency. (2016/05/11)