Photo/Illutration The venue where an explanation meeting on the redevelopment project of the Meiji Jingu Gaien district was held was shown to reporters before the meeting on July 17. (Soichi Tsuchidate)

Tokyo residents were left feeling underwhelmed at a meeting with developers over plans to erect two nearly 200-meter skyscrapers on land that is currently a leafy neighborhood popular with sports fans and those out for a stroll.

There has been heavy criticism of the towers as well as plans to fell hundreds of mature trees and to demolish and rebuild sports facilities at the Meiji Jingu Gaien district in central Tokyo.

About 150 people attended the July 17 meeting for residents, the first since construction work started in March. Meetings will also take place on July 18 and 19.

Questions focused on the need to build skyscrapers of such extreme height.

“Are the high-rise buildings really necessary?” a 59-year-old self-employed business operator asked at the meeting. “Can the Jingu Gaien district become a place of rest and relaxation if it feels oppressive after redevelopment?”

The developers said it is necessary to reach a certain height to allow other land within the redevelopment area to be left to greenery and sports venues. They said they will consider the surroundings so that the skyscrapers do not seem overbearing.

The man who spoke up said he felt that the developers dodged questions about the buildings.

The redevelopment includes the felling of more than 700 trees and the planting of 837 trees. The developers plan to dig up and reuse as many of the old trees as possible.

Another worried participant was a woman in her 50s. She said she attended the meeting because she wondered why the skyscrapers are needed--and she came away more distrustful than before.

A woman in her 60s who lives near a street of gingko trees, a symbol of the Meiji Jingu Gaien district, is concerned about strong winds that typically flow between tall buildings as well as noise from visitors.

The developers replied that they will take measures to prevent such gusts. They also said they will keep visitors informed about voluntary anti-noise rules.

The woman said she was unconvinced by these “roundabout” explanations and feels that residents have been ignored.

The project includes rebuilding both Meiji Jingu Stadium, a ballpark, and the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium elsewhere within the district.

Developers said at the meeting that they will consider changing the design of the new ballpark if it affects the famed street of gingko trees, which is nearby.

Critics have pointed out that far fewer trees will need to be cut down if the Meiji Jingu Stadium is rebuilt on its current site.

That won’t work, the developers said, as there is insufficient time between the baseball seasons for construction to take place. Moreover, the current site, surrounded by roads and other facilities, is too cramped.

After the meeting, developers told The Asahi Shimbun that they will begin felling tall trees no earlier than September due to construction schedule constraints.

The project is being undertaken by four parties: real estate developer Mitsui Fudosan Co., Meiji Shrine, the Japan Sport Council and trading house Itochu Corp.

Several high-profile individuals have been among those opposed to the plan. Musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, who died in March, wrote a letter calling for the project’s cancellation. Author Haruki Murakami told a radio program of his opposition to it.

Meanwhile, there is significant grassroots opposition as well. An online petition has gathered more than 210,000 signatures.

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