Kumamoto Castle to Reopen After Earthquake-Induced Closure
Kumamoto Castle in Japan is set to reopen to visitors this Thursday, following a two-week closure due to a magnitude-7.1 earthquake that struck southwestern Japan. The castle, a national special historic site, was closed after the earthquake on July 28, which registered the maximum level of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in some areas. The city of Kumamoto has confirmed the safety of the visitor route and the interior of the main tower, allowing for the reopening. Despite the reopening, restoration work continues on damage from previous powerful quakes in 2016. As of now, 3,714 people remain in evacuation shelters in Kumamoto Prefecture, with the death toll from the recent quake standing at 39.