Hiroshima prefectural government crafts image about future use of the former Army Clothing Depot: Building No. 1 is to be base for peace education; possibility of donating one of its depot buildings to the City of Hiroshima also exists
Dec. 6, 2023
by Yo Kono, Staff Writer
On December 5, according to interviews with multiple sources, it became known the Hiroshima Prefectural government had compiled a concept for the future use of the four buildings comprising “the former Army Clothing Depot.” The Depot is among the largest remaining A-bombed structures, and soon to be designated as a national important cultural asset. Plans include using building No.1 as a base of peace education, and buildings No. 2 through 4 as bases for culture, art, and tourism. The prefecture is also considering a proposal to donate one of three buildings it possesses to the City of Hiroshima for free.
Of the four Army Clothing Depot buildings, the prefecture possesses buildings No. 1 through No. 3 and the Japanese government possesses building No. 4. According to the future use image created by the prefecture, building No. 1 (which was once used as a temporary rescue station to treat many A-bomb survivors at the time of the bombing), is expected to become a base to learn about Hiroshima’s nature, history, and peace, serving the role of conveying tragic conditions of the atomic bombing. Included in the image, for example, an exhibition room, a library, and a storage room for promoting understanding about reality of the atomic bombing.
As for utilization of the buildings No. 2 through No. 4, two options are being proposed: “a base of culture, art, and lifelong study” for promoting exchanges among residents in the prefecture, and “a base where visitors from Japan and overseas can experience Hiroshima firsthand.” Establishment of a library, kids’ space, hotel, and convention facility are also being considered.
The prefecture and the city also kicked off a discussion regarding which direction the city will utilize with one of the four buildings. To that end, an idea of donating the building to the city for free has been proposed.
When the prefecture negotiated with the Agency for Cultural Affairs to receive designation as an important cultural asset, it was advised that a policy for the buildings’ utilization needed to be decided upon. The prefecture then put together an image for use of the buildings through a study group formed with the national government and the city, and submitted it to the agency. In late November, the national Council of Cultural Affairs examined that image, and submitted a report to the Education, Science and Technology minister, recommending the Army Clothing Depot Buildings be designated as an important cultural asset.
The clothing depot is estimated to receive designation as important cultural asset between January and February 2024. With the Agency of Cultural Affairs’ subsidies provided to important cultural assets, the prefecture hopes to begin anti-seismic improvement of buildings No. 1 through No. 3. The Japanese government will implement anti-seismic reinforcement of the building No. 4, as well. The prefecture will continue to decide upon a concrete plan for utilizing the structure through the study group with the national government and the city.
(Originally published on December 6, 2023)
On December 5, according to interviews with multiple sources, it became known the Hiroshima Prefectural government had compiled a concept for the future use of the four buildings comprising “the former Army Clothing Depot.” The Depot is among the largest remaining A-bombed structures, and soon to be designated as a national important cultural asset. Plans include using building No.1 as a base of peace education, and buildings No. 2 through 4 as bases for culture, art, and tourism. The prefecture is also considering a proposal to donate one of three buildings it possesses to the City of Hiroshima for free.
Of the four Army Clothing Depot buildings, the prefecture possesses buildings No. 1 through No. 3 and the Japanese government possesses building No. 4. According to the future use image created by the prefecture, building No. 1 (which was once used as a temporary rescue station to treat many A-bomb survivors at the time of the bombing), is expected to become a base to learn about Hiroshima’s nature, history, and peace, serving the role of conveying tragic conditions of the atomic bombing. Included in the image, for example, an exhibition room, a library, and a storage room for promoting understanding about reality of the atomic bombing.
As for utilization of the buildings No. 2 through No. 4, two options are being proposed: “a base of culture, art, and lifelong study” for promoting exchanges among residents in the prefecture, and “a base where visitors from Japan and overseas can experience Hiroshima firsthand.” Establishment of a library, kids’ space, hotel, and convention facility are also being considered.
The prefecture and the city also kicked off a discussion regarding which direction the city will utilize with one of the four buildings. To that end, an idea of donating the building to the city for free has been proposed.
When the prefecture negotiated with the Agency for Cultural Affairs to receive designation as an important cultural asset, it was advised that a policy for the buildings’ utilization needed to be decided upon. The prefecture then put together an image for use of the buildings through a study group formed with the national government and the city, and submitted it to the agency. In late November, the national Council of Cultural Affairs examined that image, and submitted a report to the Education, Science and Technology minister, recommending the Army Clothing Depot Buildings be designated as an important cultural asset.
The clothing depot is estimated to receive designation as important cultural asset between January and February 2024. With the Agency of Cultural Affairs’ subsidies provided to important cultural assets, the prefecture hopes to begin anti-seismic improvement of buildings No. 1 through No. 3. The Japanese government will implement anti-seismic reinforcement of the building No. 4, as well. The prefecture will continue to decide upon a concrete plan for utilizing the structure through the study group with the national government and the city.
(Originally published on December 6, 2023)
