Manhole art meets advertising?

I was reading a local news article about Nagaoka that focused on infrastructure, but it also touched on something many of us expats in Japan grow quite fond of over time, and that's manhole covers.

According to the report, Nagaoka City is planning an initiative to place ads on manhole covers as a way to fund sewer maintenance and draw more attention to the system itself. The decision was prompted by a wider review of ageing infrastructure after a serious road collapse earlier this year, and in Nagaoka, sections of sewer pipes have already been identified as needing repairs within the next five years.

The plan is to install advertising on a single manhole cover near the Miraie Nagaoka complex in the city center, with the space to be leased at 118,800 yen per year, with contracts starting at two years and extendable up to five. If it goes ahead, it'd be only the second example of this approach in the prefecture (the first is in Murakami).

From a practical point of view it's easy to understand, since maintenance costs are rising and local governments need to find new ways to cover them. At the same time, for many people living in Japan (myself included!), manhole covers are more than just part of the street. They often feature local landmarks, seasonal themes, or cultural designs, and spotting them ends up being a noticeable part of everyday life.

It may only be happening in a couple of places right now, but it does raise questions about how these designs might change over time, and whether they'll still reflect the character of the area.

Ads on manhole covers - are you for or against the concept?