Japan checking cultural assets after Notre Dame fire

April 17, 2019

Tokyo--Japan has launched an emergency inspection of fireproofing and other measures at national treasures and important cultural properties in the country in the wake of Monday's fire that heavily damaged historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday.

Based on the results of the inspection by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Japanese government will thoroughly beef up fire prevention and other safety measures for the cultural assets, partly by utilizing a subsidy program.

Assets designated as national treasures and important cultural properties play "an indispensable role to help us understand Japan's history and culture correctly," Suga said at a press conference. "We do hope that historic cultural assets will be properly conserved and handed down to the next generation."

The government has already provided support for installing fire-fighting equipment and conducting seismic strengthening work at some properties, based on the cultural assets preservation law, according to Suga.

On the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral, he said that Japan will consider necessary measures and act proactively if asked by France. Jiji Press