The Moji Port in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture ¡ª which faces the Kanmon Straits separating the islands of Honshu and Kyushu ¡ª once saw the third-largest share of Japan¡¯s annual exports flowing through it, and played a pivotal role in the country¡¯s modernization process during the Meiji Era (1868-1912).
But now, the remains of what used to be the first Moji station ¡ª a railway hub that was built to integrate with the port in the late 19th century, and soon became essential in Kyushu¡¯s transportation and industrial development ¡ª are facing the threat of demolition due to redevelopment planned by the city.
A five-story complex that brings together several of the city¡¯s currently aging public facilities, as well as an adjacent garage building, will occupy where the remnants now stand. The city estimates that construction will cost around ?12.2 billion ($84.6 million).
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