A predawn fire that destroyed much of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, has shocked the local tourism industry and associations of traditional Ryukyu Kingdom crafts, raising alarm about the loss of the historic attraction and potential harm to the prefecture's ability to promote its culture.
Akio Uehara, former director of the Ryukyu lacquerware cooperative business association, stressed that traditional crafts are underpinned by tourism in the prefecture.
"If we lose a sightseeing route touring textiles and craftworks after Shuri Castle, there will be some impact on our industry," he warned.