TOKYO -- When collapsing ceiling panels killed nine people in a tunnel on a busy expressway in central Japan in 2012, the government pledged to inspect and repair aging infrastructure around the country.
But, a decade later, experts warn progress has been slow due to financial constraints and labor shortages, with tunnels, bridges and roads nationwide still needing urgent attention. Indeed, the government's own findings show roughly 40% of Japan's tunnels require crucial repairs to ensure their safety.
