Overview
- The Mie River and National Highway Office acknowledged that electric stop-water boards at Kusunoki Parking were left broken for more than three and a half years, contributing to the inundation during record rainfall.
- Office director Yuto Ooyoshi apologized, stating that no alternative measures were taken despite knowing about the malfunction.
- An expert committee has begun reviewing restoration of the underground facility and will consider compensation for 274 damaged vehicles, with specifics still undecided.
- TFI, the parking manager, reported in December 2021 that two of three entrance floodgates were malfunctioning, and a January 2022 meeting with the office ended without agreement on repair responsibility or further talks.
- Authorities have not set a timetable for removing submerged vehicles or for reopening the facility.