NIIGATA, Mar 27 (News On Japan) –
Niigata City has been grappling with a string of graffiti incidents, all marked by a mysterious quantity 25. One of probably the most placing instances occurred close to the Bandai Bridge, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property that spans the Shinano River—the longest river in Japan and a proud image of Niigata.
On March twenty first, an enormous piece of graffiti roughly 4 meters broad was found in a close-by public sq..
Locals expressed dismay. “Bandai Bridge is a symbol of Niigata. It’s really unpleasant to see it defaced like that,” mentioned one resident. Another added, “The person who did this probably doesn’t see it as a crime, but it’s a historic structure. You can’t just scribble on it.”
The incidents didn’t cease there. On March twenty fourth, related graffiti was discovered at a industrial facility within the metropolis.
“This kind of large-scale graffiti is shocking and completely unacceptable,” mentioned Akiyama, director of Billboard Place at Bandai City.
Graffiti in public areas not solely creates an eyesore but additionally dangers tarnishing Niigata’s picture. Authorities have famous a peculiar consistency in these instances: the quantity “25” seems in each occasion.
The markings have been noticed not solely on the sq. close to Bandai Bridge but additionally straight on the bridge’s railing. Additional graffiti bearing the identical quantity was found on the Chitose Bridge and the Ryuto Bridge.
Professor Shigeo Kobayashi of Tokyo City University, an skilled on graffiti tradition, supplied a doable interpretation of the quantity.
“’25’ likely refers to 2025, suggesting the person came here this year. That would indicate the suspect is probably not a Niigata resident, but a visitor—possibly a tourist, either Japanese or foreign,” mentioned Kobayashi.
He emphasised the significance of swift removing to stop additional injury. “When one piece of graffiti is left alone, it’s easier for others to follow. If it’s erased quickly—say, by the next morning—fewer people see it and the spread can be contained.”
Source: FNN