The Japanese government has confirmed the earthquake in central Japan has inflicted damage to 276 schools and facilities, and caused 20 cases of damage to important cultural assets.

The education and culture ministry announced the extent of damage caused by the quake as of Thursday noon reported by local education boards.

Regarding elementary, junior high and senior high schools as well as other facilities, the ministry said damage was confirmed at 139 facilities in Niigata Prefecture, 104 facilities in Ishikawa Prefecture, 31 in Toyama Prefecture, and one each in Fukui and Shiga prefectures. The damage includes cracks in premises and school building walls.

Regarding national treasures and important cultural assets, the ministry said 15 cases of damage were confirmed in Toyama. They include collapsed stone lanterns at Zuiryuji Temple, a national treasure, in Takaoka City. In Niigata, five cases were confirmed, including a collapsed slope at the remains of gold and silver mines on Sado Island. Sado City aims to have the mines registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Meanwhile, the ministry also said 39 public schools and facilities in four prefectures along the Sea of Japan are being used as evacuation centers.

Ministry officials said they have asked the local education boards to assign school counselors, if necessary, to provide mental care to affected children.