27 Dec

Japan's education ministry says more than 100 public libraries were damaged by Typhoon Hagibis, which ripped through the country in October.

The ministry says the powerful storm caused flooding, leaky ceilings, and structural damage at 108 libraries in the greater Tokyo area, the northeastern Tohoku area, and elsewhere. Some libraries remain closed or have their services suspended.

University library associations say nine libraries at national and private universities were damaged.

A Tokyo City University library remains closed after about 83,000 books were drenched -- about 30 percent of the entire collection. The university aims to have the library repaired in time for the start of the academic year in April.

The ministry says the damaged libraries may not have made sufficient preparations for the typhoon. It plans to carry out a detailed survey and implement appropriate steps for future disasters.

NHK