Draft plan approved to renovate Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Mar. 1, 2010
by Uzaemonnaotsuka Tokai, Staff Writer
On February 24, the committee commissioned by the City of Hiroshima to review the exhibits at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, chaired by Wataru Imanaka, approved the draft plan for the museum's renovation. Starting with a basic design in fiscal 2010, the museum will spend seven years engaged in the renovation so that visitors can grasp the horrific reality of the atomic bombing even within a limited amount of time. The City of Hiroshima will, based on the draft plan, finalize the plan for the renovation by May.
The draft plan is in line with the proposed draft compiled last November. The museum will newly build a direct escalator from the first to the third floor in the east wing and change the route for touring the museum. After the renovation, visitors will first observe the introductory exhibits on the third floor of the east wing, such as photographs and footage depicting the devastation of the city. Next, they will see artifacts left by A-bomb victims and A-bomb materials in the main building. Finally, they will return to the east wing and learn about current conditions involving nuclear weapons and the movement to eliminate these weapons from the earth.
Last December, the city sought opinions from Hiroshima citizens about the proposed draft. Receiving 46 opinions, the city is considering the following suggestions from the public: 1) enhancing public relations abroad, 2) adding Braille and audio explanations, and 3) reviewing the admission fees of 50 yen per adult and 30 yen per child.
The main building of the museum opened in 1955 and the east wing in 1994. A survey conducted in fiscal 2003 revealed that, while visitors spent an average time of 45 minutes touring the museum, they observed the main building's exhibits, which convey the reality of the bombing, for only about 19 minutes. Since 2008, the committee, comprised of experts, has been discussing the issue.
The city plans to renovate the east wing between fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2014, and the main building and the elevated corridor connecting the two buildings between fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2016. During the renovation period, the building under renovation will be closed. The total project cost is expected to be roughly 4.67 billion yen.
(Originally published on February 25, 2010)
Related articles
Hiroshima budget plan for fiscal 2010 includes efforts for peace (Feb. 12, 2010)
Committee to review exhibits at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum approves proposed draft (Nov. 20, 2009)
On February 24, the committee commissioned by the City of Hiroshima to review the exhibits at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, chaired by Wataru Imanaka, approved the draft plan for the museum's renovation. Starting with a basic design in fiscal 2010, the museum will spend seven years engaged in the renovation so that visitors can grasp the horrific reality of the atomic bombing even within a limited amount of time. The City of Hiroshima will, based on the draft plan, finalize the plan for the renovation by May.
The draft plan is in line with the proposed draft compiled last November. The museum will newly build a direct escalator from the first to the third floor in the east wing and change the route for touring the museum. After the renovation, visitors will first observe the introductory exhibits on the third floor of the east wing, such as photographs and footage depicting the devastation of the city. Next, they will see artifacts left by A-bomb victims and A-bomb materials in the main building. Finally, they will return to the east wing and learn about current conditions involving nuclear weapons and the movement to eliminate these weapons from the earth.
Last December, the city sought opinions from Hiroshima citizens about the proposed draft. Receiving 46 opinions, the city is considering the following suggestions from the public: 1) enhancing public relations abroad, 2) adding Braille and audio explanations, and 3) reviewing the admission fees of 50 yen per adult and 30 yen per child.
The main building of the museum opened in 1955 and the east wing in 1994. A survey conducted in fiscal 2003 revealed that, while visitors spent an average time of 45 minutes touring the museum, they observed the main building's exhibits, which convey the reality of the bombing, for only about 19 minutes. Since 2008, the committee, comprised of experts, has been discussing the issue.
The city plans to renovate the east wing between fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2014, and the main building and the elevated corridor connecting the two buildings between fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2016. During the renovation period, the building under renovation will be closed. The total project cost is expected to be roughly 4.67 billion yen.
(Originally published on February 25, 2010)
Related articles
Hiroshima budget plan for fiscal 2010 includes efforts for peace (Feb. 12, 2010)
Committee to review exhibits at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum approves proposed draft (Nov. 20, 2009)
