Campaign Grows in Japan to Save Historic Warehouses Following Rock Star's Plea

• Rock star Teru of the band Glay sparked a viral movement to save the 125-year-old Hakodate Dock Red Brick Warehouses from imminent demolition.
• Built in 1901, the structures are set to be replaced by a dormitory annex for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• Activists and architects are lobbying to preserve the industrial heritage site through public awareness and renovation proposals.

Background and Context

• The Hakodate Dock Red Brick Warehouses were built in 1901 and have been in continuous use for nearly 125 years.
• While the famous Kanemori Warehouses in the same city were successfully repurposed for tourism, the dock warehouses remained largely forgotten until recently.
• Hakodate has become a critical port for Japan’s naval strategy, creating a conflict between preserving cultural heritage and expanding defense infrastructure.

The Campaign

• Architect Maiko Tsujibayashi, known for her restoration work, has advised that preservationists must present the economic and historical value of the site to the owner to push for a postponement or plan revision.
• Supporters suggest the buildings could be repurposed for studios, shops, or cafes, following the successful model of the Niseko Central Warehouse complex.
• Construction of a new dormitory is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2025, leaving little time for intervention.

Current Efforts

• Organizers have launched a website to document the history of the buildings and are hosting a photography exhibition by Kino Koike in September to spotlight the site.
• Despite a lack of coverage in local media, social media campaigns and calls for potential crowdfunding continue.
• The effort faces significant challenges as the site is located in a high-security zone vital to current naval defense strategies.