At the national scenic spot "Kintai Bridge" in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, multiple scratches were found on the handrail of the bridge, and the police are investigating on suspicion of violating the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.
"Kintaikyo Bridge" in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture is a structure of five wooden bridges built in the Edo period, and has been designated as a national scenic spot due to its beautiful arch shape.
According to Iwakuni City, around 8:30 am on the 9th, a member of the Silver Human Resource Center who was cleaning found a scratch on the handrail of the Kintai Bridge.
The city and police who were contacted confirmed that there were multiple scratches on the railings on both sides of the bridge, some of which were about 25 meters long.
Cigarette butts and black stains were also found on the board of the bridge.
Police are investigating the incident on suspicion of violating the Cultural Properties Protection Law.
Iwakuni Mayor Fukuda commented, "I am deeply angry and disappointed that such an unforgivable act was committed on the Kintaikyo Bridge, which is the pride and treasure of the citizens."
At the Kintaikyo Bridge, in January last year, the board of the bridge was damaged by a skateboard, and in July of the year before, there were damages such as tire marks left by riding a motorcycle on the bridge.