Famous red gate at Tokyo university in danger of collapsing

TOKYO — Generations of Japan’s top scholars and leaders have passed through it on their way to building an advanced society. Now the Akamon Gate, the distinctive red gate on The University of Tokyo’s campus in central Tokyo, is in danger of collapse.

TOKYO - Generations of Japan's top scholars and leaders have passed through it on their way to building an advanced society.

Now the Akamon Gate, the distinctive red gate on The University of Tokyo's campus in central Tokyo, is in danger of collapse.

Seismic experts have deemed that the gate, which dates back nearly 200 years, has weakened to the point where it could collapse in a major earthquake or typhoon-strength winds.

The gate on the Hongo campus in Bunkyo ward has been closed since February 2021 as a structural inspection is carried out. The university is looking into starting reinforcement work from the next fiscal year at the earliest, with the hope of opening it back up as soon as possible.