Media View Atomic Bomb Dome Repairs
Restoration work being done to preserve the Hiroshima Peace Memorial was unveiled to reporters on Wednesday. The memorial is also known as the Atomic Bomb Dome.
The structure in Hiroshima City survived the 1945 US atomic bombing.
Preservation work to repair cracks and restore color began last September. The structure was erected more than 100 years ago in 1915.
Scaffolding now surrounds the building, providing access to the top.
The dome's steel frames have been repainted dark brown. Hiroshima City officials say the color was chosen after they viewed photographs that the US military took soon after the atomic bombing.
Workers are using materials such as lime to join bricks. Lime was one of the materials used when the building was originally constructed.
The work is now 70 percent complete. It is expected to be finished around the end of March.
Sasaki Shoji is the city official in charge of the work. He says the structure is a "witness" to the catastrophic bombing. Sasaki said that by restoring the color the dome turned shortly after the bombing, he hopes both locals and foreign visitors will be reminded of the tragedy.