Many of Japan's historic wooden castles from the feudal era were destroyed in World War II. After the war, they were rebuilt using reinforced concrete. But over time, these structures have severely deteriorated and become more vulnerable to earthquakes.
The cost of renovating and restoring these castles is enormous, sparking intense debate among conservationists, local governments and the public. Some support restoring them to their original traditional wooden form, while others argue that keeping the current concrete structure is cheaper and safer.
Castles such as Nagoya Castle, Osaka Castle and Kumamoto Castle are at the centre of these disputes. Local authorities must balance preserving historical and cultural values against growing financial pressures.
Many experts warn that without timely restoration, these castles may not withstand strong future earthquakes, endangering visitors and risking the loss of valuable heritage.
