Key Points
- A major fire on July 31st caused significant damage to the Nishi-Houkancho Shopping Arcade in Okayama City, destroying several buildings and the arcade’s roof.
- The arcade roof, which had protected the street for over 50 years, was made of flammable materials that allowed the fire to spread rapidly.
- The local shopping district association has launched a fundraising campaign to rebuild the arcade with modern, fire-resistant materials.
- Restoration costs are estimated to reach tens of millions of yen, as the fire also destroyed the area’s electrical systems and iconic red lanterns.
Full Transcript (English)
Guest (Akihiro Nakata): I am Nakata, the chairman of the Nishi-Houkancho Shopping District Association.
Host: What was it like at the time of the fire?
Nakata: Well, just a few days prior, we had held our Saturday night market and the area was very lively. But on July 31st, just before noon, a fire broke out a few doors down from here. I was working at my shop when someone—I’m not sure if it was a firefighter—came and told me there was a fire and to evacuate immediately. I just managed to close the shutters and fled in that direction without being able to take anything with me.
Host: So the fire itself didn’t reach this specific spot?
Nakata: That’s right. However, because this arcade is an old design and made of materials that ignite easily, the fire spread along the roof structure all the way to the top of my shop. I feel terribly for those who lost their buildings. While we are relieved the fire didn’t spread even further, it is a very difficult situation.
Host: You have started a fundraising campaign for the restoration of the arcade. What are the goals for this?
Nakata: While insurance will cover some costs, the original materials were quite flammable. We want to replace the entire section with safer materials to ensure better fire prevention in the future. That is why we are asking for donations.
Host: What specifically will the funds be used for?
Nakata: They will go toward the arcade structure itself and the electrical systems for the lanterns, which were completely destroyed.
Host: Do you know how much the reconstruction will cost?
Nakata: We don’t have a final quote yet, but I expect it to be in the tens of millions of yen. When we last worked on this section, it cost about 15 million yen. Given current prices, it will likely be 1.5 to 2 times that amount.
Host: It has actually started raining during our interview.
Nakata: Yes, normally we would be protected. Now, people have to use umbrellas just to walk through the shopping street.
Host: How long has this roof been here?
Nakata: I believe it has been here for over 50 years.
Host: It’s raining quite hard now. Having the arcade was clearly a great convenience for the community. How long do you plan to continue the fundraising?
Nakata: We haven’t set a firm deadline, but we are looking at the end of September as an initial milestone. Depending on the total amount raised and the final construction estimates, we may extend the period.
Nakata: This street is used by many people—commuters, students, and sports fans heading to Fagiano Okayama matches. We also see many international tourists staying at nearby accommodations. We want to rebuild a shopping district that we can be proud of. The shops that remain are open for business as usual, so we hope people will continue to visit us.
