InsideJapan News Network

The Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka has announced that it will prolong its closure and demolition in order to house evacuees from the Fukushima earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.

Once known as one of the trendiest hotels in the capital, the Prince Hotel had been due to close next week (March 31st) in advance of its demolition.

However, the 40-storey building has been spared the wrecking ball so that it can play its part in helping the victims of the March 11th earthquake, Japan Times reports.

Around 1,600 evacuees from Fukushima prefecture are expected to be temporarily housed at the hotel, after the Tokyo Metropolitan Government stepped in to halt the demolition.

Details surrounding the provision of food and blankets are yet to be announced, but the first emergency guests could be welcomed as early as next month, the local authorities have said.

The hotel, which is located in the Akasaka district of Chiyoda Ward, reached the height of its popularity in the 1980s, housing a major political faction for some time.

It has since become outdated and the site is due for redevelopment later this year, a spokesman said.

Written by Mark Smith


Related news stories:
Earthquake hits north-west Japan (11th September 2008)
First woman player to debut in Japanese baseball team (20th November 2008)
See in the spring at Setsubun (8th January 2009)
'Tokyo Transport' exhibition coming to Japanese museum (11th August 2011)