Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters - After The War

After The War

1946, a local Buddhist association received permission to convert what was meant to be the imperial palace into a orphanage.

1947, plans to convert the whole complex into an orphanage complex for war orphans were debated but not materialised.

1947, the weather agency sets up a seismographic office in the concrete building at Mount Maizuru. Below, an assortment of seismographs and equipment were placed, making it the largest office of its kind in Japan.

1967, Matsushiro earthquake centre is built on part of the Maizuru ruins following a local earthquake.

1990, parts of the Zouzan bunker are opened by the Nagano Municipality, Shinshu University sets up an astronomical observatory within. Subsequently, more of the complex is opened by the sightseeing department of the same office.

After the surrender of Japan, most of the documentation relating to the Matsushiro complex was destroyed. As a result, very little is known about the day-to-day construction of the facility.

The complex today is administered by Nagano city's sightseeing bureau. The caves are mostly closed to the public - only the first 500 meters of the Mount Zōzan facilities are open.

The city of Nagano spent many years trying to attract the Olympic Games, culminating in their successful bid to host the 1998 Winter Olympics. During the bidding period and again during the games itself, peace activists accused the city of Nagano and the Nagano Organizing Committee (NAOC) of burying the past. Yamane Masako noted that "just the other day, the authorities blocked the entrances to the underground shelters with fences, despite requests that the last Imperial General Headquarters should be preserved and left be open to the public. They're afraid it will hurt their chances to get an Olympic Games to come to Nagano. They're trying to draw down a curtain around the Showa era. It's inexcusable."

During the games, the complex was omitted from all maps and tourist information passed out to visitors. Peace activists asked the NAOC to include the caves on the list of interesting places to visit in Nagano, but their requests went unanswered.