Tokyo Temple: The Church’s First “Quake Proof” Temple?

                                                     The Tokyo Japan Temple.

  THE Temple in Tokyo Japan opened in 1980. It was perhaps the Church’s first “earthquake proof” temple, with reinforced concrete. It was considered a special temple, built stronger than usual.

  (That layman’s architectural term was later renamed to “earthquake resistant.”) 

  Fred Baker, former head the physical facilities in the Church during the late 20th Century said the Tokyo Temple was designed to withstand a Richter 7 quake and a Force 5 typhoon. He said some steel had to be taken out of the temple’s exterior, to allow for more concrete. 

  He also said this: “Do you understand what earthquake proof means in terms of construction?” People would say, “Well, it means that the building would just stay there.” And I’d say, “Well, not quite. It means that the building wouldn’t fall in on the people working in it. But outside it would be really deadly especially on the street where the cars were driving.” And depending on the strength of the earthquake, the building would likely be a total loss. But it wouldn’t fall in on the people inside.” 

  Almost 25 years after opening, the Temple was tested with a significant quake, on July 23, 2005, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Tokyo. The shaking caused the trumpet in the hand of Moroni to be knocked to the ground. 

  However, the temple itself had no major damage And, in September of 2017, the Tokyo Japan Temple closed for renovation for almost five years – and it received both seismic and mechanical upgrades.     Furthermore, the Salt Lake Temple reopens in 2027 with an even greater emphasis on being earthquake resistant, with its special shock absorbers and shifting ability.

  -Fred Baker, of Ogden, was the director of Church Physical Facilities from 1965-1991. He passed away in 2015 at age 89. He was the author’s stake president at one time, as well as a family friend.

  -The Tokyo Temple photograph is from Wikipedia Commons. 

 NOTE: This article and all of the NighUntoKolob blog are NOT an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are the author's conclusions and opinions only.