Key Facts
• On July 11, a landslide occurred on National Route 140 in Chichibu, Saitama.
• 8.5 km between Otaki Onsen Roadside Station and Niegawa Intersection remains closed.
• No injuries reported; fallen rocks on the road have been cleared.
• Unstable boulders remain on the slope, posing safety risks.
• Restoration is expected to take several months, according to Governor Motohiro Ohno.
• Local residents use nearby forest roads, minimizing major disruptions.
• Five students (elementary and middle school) cannot use school buses; parents handle transport.
• Temporary access for emergency vehicles and school buses begins July 16.
• The under-construction Otaki Tunnel may be utilized to expedite reopening.
Summary
A landslide on July 11 caused an 8.5 km section of National Route 140 in Chichibu, Saitama, to close. While no injuries occurred and fallen rocks on the road have been removed, unstable boulders on the slope continue to pose safety risks. Governor Motohiro Ohno announced that restoration could take several months. Local residents are using forest roads, but five students are unable to access school buses, requiring parental transport. Temporary access for emergency vehicles and school buses will begin on July 16. Authorities are also considering utilizing the under-construction Otaki Tunnel to expedite reopening.
