Given all structures for the Expo 2025 were temporary, their treatment following the event’s closure has been the subject of much discussion. The future of the Grand Ring drew criticism from the public and industry alike. City officials cited high, unplanned maintenance costs as justification to not preserve the entire structure, but what future could be reasonably expected?

This article is the first in a two-part article and explores seismic structural design in Japan. The mythology of earthquakes and the development of design codes are discussed.