Due to the impact of a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck on December 8, a steel tower in the heart of Aomori’s Hachinohe city is at risk of collapsing.

The 70-meter tower that serves as a wireless communication antenna stands on the roof of a building of telecommunications company NTT.

Parts of the structure have been confirmed to be damaged.

According to NTT East, one of four supporting pillars was broken, and 19 of the 1,000 bolts securing pillars had come off.

S/ Local resident / It’s shocking. This isn’t something that can be fixed in a day or two, not even in a week to 10 days.

The Hachinohe city government has closed a one-kilometer section of a nearby national highway over fears that the tower might collapse.

S/ Reporter / Because of the road closure, buses cannot pass, and traffic in the city center is congested.

Authorities have also issued an evacuation order for 48 households in the area surrounding the tower.

We spoke with residents who have evacuated.

S/ Evacuee / I don’t know where to go. I can’t stay at my partially damaged apartment.

S/ Evacuee / I didn’t believe it. I thought it was just a rumor. If that tower collapses, it will be a major disaster, so I’m scared. I’m worried about how long this will take because if evacuation life lasts long, our daily lives will be disrupted.

NTT East said repairs to the tower are expected to take at least three weeks.