Photo/Illutration The Meiji Jingu Gaien area in Tokyo, where redevelopment is planned. Ginkgo trees line the street on the far right. From lower right to upper left: Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Meiji Jingu Stadium, Meiji Jingu Stadium No. 2 under demolition, and the National Stadium. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Developers have yet to submit a document required to cut down trees in Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Gaien district for a much-criticized redevelopment project.

Mitsui Fudosan Co., the Meiji Jingu shrine, the Japan Sport Council and Itochu Corp. started work on the 349 billion yen ($2.3 billion) project in March last year.

But in September, the metropolitan government called on developers to submit concrete measures to preserve the area’s trees, just as the developers were about to begin cutting down trees that were 3 meters tall or higher.

The felling is expected to proceed after the measures are approved by the metropolitan government.

Developers initially said they would submit the measures at the end of last year or early this year. However, about seven months on, they said they are still examining the issue.

Opposition parties are considering fielding an opponent to the project in the Tokyo gubernatorial election in July.

“Given the public opinion, it would be difficult to begin cutting down trees before the gubernatorial election,” a senior metropolitan official said.

The project calls for rebuilding Meiji Jingu Stadium, an approximately 100-year-old ballpark, and Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium and erecting two skyscrapers up to 190 meters high by 2036.

Developers plan to cut down 743 of the 1,904 existing tall trees in the area and transplant 275 others. However, they say the green space will ultimately expand because 837 new trees will be planted.

Critics say the project will destroy the valuable lush green area in central Tokyo.

The Japanese National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has been calling on developers to retract the project.

“By listening to the voices of citizens, the redevelopment itself should be reviewed so that the area will be preserved as the common property of society for future generations,” said Mikiko Ishikawa, a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, who specializes in environmental design and urban environmental planning.

The Tokyo metropolitan government approved the implementation of the project in February last year after completing basic environmental impact assessment procedures.

Developers said they have no plans to fundamentally redesign the project.

Meiji Jingu, which owns much of the project site, said the redevelopment of Gaien (the Outer Garden) is necessary to maintain Naien (the Inner Garden), where the shrine stands.

Officials said the shrine depends on businesses in Gaien, such as ballpark management, for 80 percent of its revenues, although the shrine does not disclose its financial statements.

The Gaien district is known for its four rows of 146 ginkgo trees about 30 meters high, which date from 1923.

The trees will be retained under the project, but there are concerns that the relocated ballpark, which will stand along the ginkgo-lined street, will adversely affect their growth.

Developers are considering moving the ballpark a few meters from the street.

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