Plans are being made to remove asbestos insulation from the ceilings in the National Stadium complex in Tokyo starting next summer, it was learned Friday.
The National Stadium and the adjacent No. 2 Gymnasium in Shibuya Ward were built for the swimming events in the 1964 Olympics and are used for various sporting events and concerts. About 1.37 million people visited the two venues in fiscal 2004.
According to the National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health, which operates the complex, some of the ceiling insulation has come loose as the buildings have aged.
Stadium officials explained that it has been taking asbestos measurements in the air of the facilities on a regular basis since 1997.
Recent results show about 0.3 to 0.4 asbestos fibers for every liter of air, well below the 10 fibers per liter under the air pollution law.
However, the officials said the asbestos should be removed completely and are asking for about 3 billion yen from the government to do the necessary work.