Summary

The Yomiuri Shimbun and Kohfukuji temple in Nara City are to launch a joint project titled "Prayer for the future: The great repair of the five-story pagoda of Kohfukuji temple."

The collaborative enterprise aims to enhance opportunities for future generations to become more acquainted with Japan's cultural assets while stressing the significance of passing on the nation's cultural heritage.

The pagoda -- a designated national treasure and a popular symbol of the ancient capital of Nara -- is currently undergoing large-scale repairs for the first time in about 120 years, with work scheduled to end in 2033.

The five-story pagoda is thought to have been built in 730. Throughout its history, it has repeatedly been rebuilt following devastation by fire. The current structure -- the sixth of its kind -- is 50 meters high and dates back to 1426.