In March, we submitted over 50,000 signatures on this petition and our request letter to Governor Koike. Unfortunately, she went ahead and approved the Jingu Gaien redevelopment plan anyway. However, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has only approved the planning area and framework, and the specifics of the project and construction will be decided in the future.

This plan, which is fraught with problems, needs to be revised. To that end, I plan to draft and deliver another written request letter, this time to Mitsui Fudosan, Itochu, the Japan Sports Promotion Center, and Meiji Jingu Shrine. To have as much impact as possible, let’s get as many signatures as possible on the petition! Anything you can do to further spread the word through social media and other means would be appreciated.

I would also like to clear up a misunderstanding that has recently arisen as a result of the media coverage, which has focused on the most shocking aspect of the plan – the plan to cut down 1,000 trees. As a result of the media’s highlighting the tree issue, some people seem to think that we are just reacting emotionally.

Of course, it is unforgivable to cut down 100-year-old precious trees, but the Jingu Gaien area redevelopment project is not only about that, it is also full of other problems. Here is a list:

(1) It is a great contradiction that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government claims to want to create a "world-class sports cluster," yet all the sports facilities in the park that can be used by the general public, such as a softball field, golf driving range, futsal courts, and batting center, are to be eliminated. It is not fair that the only sports facility to remain is an expensive membership-only tennis club.

(2) The plan does not explain why this project is in the public interest and why it is necessary and economically viable for the citizens of Tokyo.

*The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided that the current baseball and rugby stadiums are outdated, but is this really the case? Is renovation alone not sufficient? And what is the point of switching the locations of the baseball and rugby stadiums?

*Do we really need another large facility when the newly built huge national stadium is right next door? An analysis of projected usage and associated revenues should be conducted and the information made public.

*Are the opinions of baseball and rugby fans being reflected? There are many fans who feel attached to the current ballpark and stadium.

3) The unfair trade-offs mentioned above have not been properly and openly discussed. Nor has any information been presented regarding the current usage levels of the park facilities, or what facilities would replace those slated to be eliminated.

(4) Governor Koike has emphasized that the iconic four rows of ginkgo trees will be preserved, but the huge baseball stadium to be built will come very close to them, and it is feared that their roots will be damaged. Also the exterior wall of the stadium will be right next to the ginkgo trees, which will drastically change the appearance of the area.

(5) The Governor Koike's claim that the amount of greenery will be increased is a complete deception. In the plan, lawns and low plantings are considered equal to trees that have lived for 100 years. Although the simple square footage of greenery may be going up, the volume of greenery is going down.

6) There is not enough concrete data or explanation of the projected environmental impact of this redevelopment. It is clear however that increasing the number of skyscrapers and huge buildings and on top of that reducing the number of trees will result in huge CO2 emissions.

(7) The Jingu Gaien redevelopment plan was conceived before the Coronavirus pandemic, and it is questionable that no changes have been made to the plan to reflect the major shifts in social activities over the past two years. It is unlikely that society will return to the same way it was before the pandemic. The plan needs to be fundamentally revised from this perspective.

To say that this is a reckless plan riddled with problems is an understatement. It is incredible that such an outrageous plan has been approved. But there is still the possibility to get it changed if we as citizens speak up loudly enough. We need to raise our voices and not give up!