By YUKA HONDA/ Staff Writer
October 6, 2023 at 18:59 JST
The Jingu Gaien park area in central Tokyo on Aug. 27 (AP file photo)
About a third of Tokyo metropolitan assembly members came together to oppose a redevelopment plan in the capital’s leafy Jingu Gaien area.
The 40-member cross-party group was set up on Oct. 5 following a “Heritage Alert” issued last month by the International Council on Monuments and Sites, also known as ICOMOS.
ICOMOS, an advisory body to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, is calling for the redevelopment project to be scrapped.
“It’s really disappointing that the metropolitan government is not responding seriously to the alert from the international body,” said Ikuko Tanoue, who heads the group.
“People are raising their voices in opposition, so assembly members have to work together against the project,” Tanoue added.
Campaigners say that the plans to replace more than 700 trees with new ones and build two skyscrapers in the area will damage the environment and landscape.
The assembly members will scrutinize counter arguments presented by Mitsui Fudosan Co. and other developers against the ICOMOS alert. They will also hold discussions with developers and landowners if necessary.
According to the initial plan, trees taller than 3 meters would have been cut down starting in September. However, the plan has been pushed back to January at the earliest after the metropolitan government requested that the developers submit specific tree preservation measures before felling any trees.
Tokyo gives the OK to redevelop leafy Meiji Jingu Gaien
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U.N. panel says Jingu Gaien project ‘irreversible destruction’
September 16, 2023
Fewer trees to be cut down in Meiji Jingu Gaien project
August 17, 2022
Protesters demand that Japan save 1000s of trees by revising a design plan for a popular Tokyo park
September 18, 2023
EDITORIAL: Redevelopment of Meiji Jingu Gaien calls for a serious rethink
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