As you may have already heard, unfortunately, Governor Koike approved the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project on March 9.
You can read related news reports here (all in Japanese):
Given that I was hoping this petition would sway Koike from approving the project, this is of course a disappointing outcome.
However, I’m not giving up!
As experts point out in the some of the news links above, the plan can still be revised or changed if citizens continue to speak out and make enough noise. So let’s get noisy!
At this point, the metropolitan government has only approved the planning area and framework, and the specific details of the project will be decided in the future. They can still be changed.
Since the plan was approved on the 9th I took a bit of a breather (and caught up on some work projects) but am now refreshed and am planning various future moves.
One of them is to submit a written request letter to the project sponsors, Mitsui Fudosan, Itochu and the Japan Sports Promotion Center.
I would like to increase the number of signatures in preparation for this. I would appreciate anything you could do to spread the word about this petition.
In addition, the Tokyo government is currently accepting applications for members of the public to comment at a hearing on the environmental assessment of the Jingu Gaien Redevelopment Project. The deadline to apply is March 28. Hoping that as many people as possible will apply. Even if you have never done anything like this before, please give it a try.
If you are selected to be one of the commentators and need advice on how to plan your comments, please contact me on Twitter or Facebook to discuss.
Details are as follows:
[Environmental Assessment Position Paper (Response to Opinions) Available to the Public (public inspection)
The Environmental Assessment Report for the "Jingu Gaien Urban Area Redevelopment Project" can be found as a "book" on this site, so please read it carefully first.
An environmental assessment (environmental impact assessment) is an examination of a large-scale development project to hear the opinions of local residents regarding the environmental impact predicted and evaluated by the project proponent, and to ensure that the project is implemented in an appropriate manner with due consideration for the environment.
However, as the title of this environmental assessment states, "urban area," it only covers the area where high-rise buildings will be constructed, and the opinions to be accepted are, in principle, limited to physical adverse effects such as sunlight, wind damage, noise, human flow, and air pollution. So your comments should be limited to these topics, and should not mention other aspects of the park redevelopment such as the cutting down of trees or elimination of certain facilities.
After the opinions are submitted, a "meeting to hear the opinions of the people of Tokyo" will be held for this redevelopment project. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting. 25 people who submitted opinions will be selected to speak.
The date and time of the meeting and the outline of the application are as follows.
Meeting to hear the opinions of Tokyo residents on the environmental assessment of the "Jingu Gaien Area Urban Redevelopment Project
Date and Time: Friday, April 15, 10:30 a.m. start
*Observation ticket distribution begins at 10:00 a.m.
Place: Minato Ward Akasaka Kumin Center Kumin Hall
Call for public statements at the meeting to hear the opinions of the citizens of Tokyo.
Number of applicants: Approx. 25 (if there are too many applicants, a lottery will be held)
How to apply: Bring, mail, or e-mail your name, address, telephone number, a summary of your statement, and the name of your business to the office.
*There are no rules regarding the format or number of words for the abstract, and it can be written in bullet points or in long sentences.
However, as stated above, as a general rule, opinions are limited to the areas defined in the environmental assessment.
Submission period: Deadline is Monday, March 28 (postmarked on the same day if sent by mail).
*Image from the Shibuya Ward News