HIROSHIMA -- Parts of the atomic-bombed remains of an Imperial Japanese Army facility found at the site of a planned soccer stadium in Hiroshima's Naka Ward, including the cobblestones of a military stable, are being removed for preservation.

       The remains include the foundations and cobblestones of a building believed to have been the stable of the Chugoku military district's supplemental transportation corps, which was destroyed in the atomic bombing. They were found underground during excavations that began in 2020 in preparation for the construction of the stadium.

       Hiroshima Municipal Government officials and others worked on an area measuring about 23 square meters, using tools to remove 12 cobblestones and other items, and then lifted them out by crane on Sept. 4. The rest of the work was scheduled for Sept. 6. Officials will decide where to display the remains by the end of this fiscal year, and store them in a nearby warehouse until then.

       Among the remains was a post on which reins were hung to care for warhorses. Hirotaka Matsushima, director of the city's culture and sports department, explained, "We lifted out the parts that provide a glimpse of the handling of warhorses and daily life in the facility. We would like to exhibit and utilize them as remains telling part of the city's history," and added that Hiroshima central park would be a "strong candidate" for the exhibition site.

       The city government has decided to record and preserve the atomic-bombed remains through photographs and other means, then remove them and proceed with the investigation of the ruins of samurai residences from the Edo period (1603-1867) that are located in the strata below. Construction of the stadium is scheduled to begin in January 2022 ahead of its opening in 2024.

       Some residents, however, are unhappy that the remains are being relocated. One observer of the work on Sept. 4 held up a piece of paper reading, "The remains are crying!" Shunsuke Taga, 71, a representative of a citizens' group to promote the preservation of the A-bombed remains of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, also lamented the relocation, saying, "What is important is that the remains can be seen on-site."

       (Japanese original by Isamu Gari and Akihiro Nakajima, Hiroshima Bureau)

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