Relatives of victims marked the 13th anniversary of the Sasago tunnel disaster on Tuesday, gathering at the site in Yamanashi Prefecture. The ceremony honored nine people who died when the tunnel ceiling collapsed on December 2, 2012.
Central Nippon Expressway Co (NEXCO) executives and local government officials attended the memorial at 8 a.m. in Tsuru. NEXCO Central Japan President Tadashi Nawata expressed sorrow to the bereaved families. He said, “My heart aches when I think of the grief and painful memories that will never heal.”
The nine victims were inside three vehicles when concrete panels detached from the tunnel ceiling, crushing the cars and setting some ablaze. Emergency responders recovered the victims quickly, but the tragedy left lasting trauma for families and the community.
Following the collapse, NEXCO conducted inspections on the south-bound lane of the nearly 4.7-kilometer tunnel. They identified defects in 670 locations. Officials found loose or corroded bolts in about 632 spots, while other areas had cracked concrete ceilings.
Authorities referred former NEXCO executives, including Takekazu Kaneko and Hisashi Iwata, along with six others, to prosecutors on suspicion of negligence resulting in deaths and injuries. However, prosecutors dropped the case in March 2018 and did not pursue indictments.
Relatives of the victims maintained that Kaneko and other executives failed to take preventive measures during a September 2012 inspection. Investigators noted that bolts anchoring the steel structure to the ceiling were becoming loose, posing a clear risk of collapse.
Investigators also highlighted procedural shortcuts during the inspection. NEXCO shortened the checkup period to prioritize another site and simplified the process by skipping scaffolding installation, which normally consumes significant time.
Safety experts say the disaster underscored the importance of rigorous maintenance and adherence to inspection protocols. They added that the tragedy led to nationwide reassessments of tunnel safety standards.
The 13th anniversary ceremony allowed families, officials, and community members to reflect on the lessons of the Sasago tunnel disaster. Officials pledged to continue rigorous inspections and ensure infrastructure safety to prevent similar accidents.
As public attention revisits the incident, authorities aim to balance efficient infrastructure management with uncompromised safety standards. The anniversary reinforces the need for vigilance in maintaining Japan’s aging transport network.
