Earthquake Memorial Park draws 300,000 visitors, exemplifies impact of bridge's construction The foundation—the soul of the suspension bridge: 15,000-ton steel caissons Bridge firmly supported by century's largest bottom-fixed offshore concrete structures Wind-speed resistance of 78 m/sec. in wind tunnel testing using a 1/100-scale model The longest suspension bridge to survive a magnitude 7.2 quake during construction—technology to share with the world *** Realization of "Dream Suspension Bridge" Key to Future Prosperity in the Kansai Economic Zone ***

		As a charming complement to a beautiful coastal landscape, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge's completion—after 10 years of construction— has fulfilled a dream held by many people since the first feasibility studies started some 40 years ago. This huge structure, which spans the four-kilometer breadth of the Akashi Strait ("Akashi Kaikyo"), has stretched the limits of 20th century architectural achievement. Japan is proud to introduce to the world the technology that underpins this great suspension bridge, which has paved the way for a new flow of people, goods, and culture.

Earthquake Memorial Park draws 300,000 visitors, exemplifies impact of bridge's construction

	The opening of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge on April 5, 1998, established a new link between the main islands of Honshu and Shikoku via the smaller island of Awajishima. Compared to the ferries that were the primary connection until recently, transportation between the islands has dramatically improved; crossing the Akashi Strait by car now takes less than five minutes, despite the bridge's impressive length. The graceful, massive suspension bridge is a tourist attraction in and of itself, as are several observation points near the lower reaches of the bridge. Popular tourist spots on the Kobe side include Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Exhibition Center and the Maiko Marine Promenade, where people can stroll inside the bridge girders and enjoy magnificent views of the strait. On Awajishima, at the Nojima Fault Preservation on the site of the Hokudancho Earthquake Memorial Park, the fault that appeared with the earthquake of three years ago has been preserved as a huge scar on the ground's surface. Surprisingly long lines of tourist buses regularly make their way to the park, even on weekdays, and business is booming at the museum. Toshikazu Hanano, manager of the Planning and Promotion Department at Hokudancho's town office, says, "I think the residents who suffered in the earthquake are obligated to preserve the fault as a valuable record, so the disaster will never be forgotten." The museum, which opened about the same time as the bridge, met its annual goal of 300,000 visitors within the first month and a half—a figure that far exceeded initial expectations. "I'm sure this was a benefit of the bridge," Hanano pointed out, adding, "We're adding parking space and hastily developing related facilities. It's also given local senior citizens a place to work, and for many their jobs here give them something worthwhile doing.Our town is experiencing a revitalization!" The town, moreover, has decided to help with the expenses of local students who commute by express bus to schools in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area, in hopes of stemming the tide of young people moving away from the island.
	The Nojima Fault Museum is always full.	Package tours associated with the bridge have sprung up in great number, and Awajishima is enjoying new focus as a tourist destination. Surrounding municipalities are also developing events to exploit the theme of the new bridge this year, including the city of Narrate in Tokushima Prefecture, which is famous for the whirlpools of its offshore currents. The movement of people in and through the area is certainly increasing. According to a survey conducted by the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority (HSBA), the daily tally of vehicles crossings of 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles on weekends, and as many as 20,000 were running on weekdays.