Safety improvements are required for thousands of aging bridges in Japan

Approximately 32% of Japan's 41,395 aging bridges are identified to require safety improvements. However, these crucial measures remain pending, according to government data. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism intends to offer financial support and other help to encourage municipalities' efforts in addressing this issue.

Authorities determined the need for repair, reinforcement, or demolition of these bridges between fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2018, employing various government measures to ensure safety. The data reveals that while certain actions have been taken for 52% of the deteriorating or faulty bridges, implementation is still ongoing for 16% of these structures.

Provisional steps, such as closing traffic around highly dangerous bridges, have been initiated, to mitigate risks, according to the ministry. The data indicates that bridges maintained by municipalities are most in need of repair and maintenance, with a ratio of 1%, compared to those administered by the state. Bridges run by expressway operators and those controlled by prefectures and designated major cities show figures of 5% and 11%, respectively.

In response to the 2012 ceiling collapse of the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway that resulted in nine fatalities in Yamanashi Prefecture, mandatory safety checks on bridges and tunnels are now conducted every five years. An investigative panel determined that the expressway operator had neglected proper inspection and maintenance, leading to the incident. The safety inspections categorize bridges and tunnels on a four-tier scale, with the most severe grade necessitating urgent safety measures due to potential hazards.