Apologies for being sparse with the updates recently (I'm posting more frequently on the Japanese side of the petition, so please check there too if you read Japanese). Here is a roundup of key news and events related to our efforts in opposition to the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project.

Jingu Gaien walk tomorrow

By popular demand, there will be another walk through Jingu Gaien tomorrow. Architect Satoko Ohashi will explain how the planned redevelopment will affect the landscape of the park. See for yourself exactly what the impact will be. I will be there to interpret from Japanese to English for those who need it.

The forecast for tomorrow is rain in the morning, but clear and warmer in the afternoon. Should be perfect weather for a walk through the park!

RSVP is not necessary. We will be meeting at the entrance to the Gingko Avenue at Aoyama Dori at 2 pm.

Here is a link to the Facebook page for the event: https://fb.me/e/1IJcawynn

Public hearing on Tuesday

On Tuesday, October 11 at 10 am, there will be a meeting of the Shinjuku Ward Assembly’s Environmental and Construction Committee. Much of Jingu Gaien is part of Shinjuku Ward and is designated as a landscape preservation area by the ward. Thus, Shinjuku Ward’s approval is needed to cut down trees and build there.

The Committee will be considering two chinjosho citizen request letters that ask the ward to preserve the environment.

A large turnout at the meeting will help to demonstrate citizen interest and let the Committee members know that the eyes on the public are on them.

So if you are free on Tuesday morning, please join us there.

The location is the 5th floor of the Shinjuku Ward office. Doors open at 9:45. https://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/shisetsu/map1-1.html

Also, if you live in Shinjuku Ward, please talk about this with your neighbors, and contact your local ward representative to share your opinion.

Status of the project

The environmental assessment committee met again in August. The developers submitted further information on what will be done with the trees, however the information was still sketchy. They claimed to have reduced the number of trees that will be cut down by 40%, a number which was then trumpeted by the news media and has caused many people to mistakenly believe that the project was somehow modified. However, there has been absolutely no change to the plans for what buildings will be built there, and all the trees within the footprint of planned buildings will need to be removed. The reduction in number of trees to be cut was only achieved by subtracting trees which supposedly would have died on their own during the construction time, and also by leaving out the trees in the central plaza which is not covered by the environmental assessment.

I have been making a lot of noise about how deceptive these numbers are, and on Thursday the Japan committee for ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites) also called out these numbers games being played by the developers and the misunderstanding it has created among the public. More details on that topic, with links to media coverage in this Japanese update to this petition.

The Environmental Assessment wrapped up its initial review, but in a historic move added a requirement that the developers report back to the committee at key points in the process, as many issues still remain vague. As a result, the earliest possible date for starting construction work is next spring, which gives us more time to try to halt the project through other means.

Meanwhile, prominent people continue to speak out against the project, including a current LDP Diet member, a former LDP Diet member, and the former Ambassador to Switzerland.

Also, as investigations into corruption surrounding the Tokyo Olympics heats up, rumors have been swirling that the scope of the investigation is likely to expand to include the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project, and that prominent politicians such as former prime ministers Mori and Suga may be involved. So that’s something else to keep an eye on.

News coverage in English

I appeared on Tokyo-based vlogger Hikosaemon’s show last week talking about the Jingu Gaien project. Hiko is a fan of redevelopment so he made me work to try to convince him why this project is a bad idea, but I think I succeeded! See for yourself here.

The Straits Times of Singapore did a segment on its podcast about activists fighting against threats to trees in Japan, including mention of Jingu Gaien.

Also, I have posted the video of my webinar with Japanese baseball expert Robert Whiting. Check it out to learn more about the history of Jingu Gaien and why it should be preserved.

106,000 signatures - almost there!

As I write this, we are just one signature away from hitting 106,000 on this petition! Please keep spreading the word, as the more signatures the more we can keep the spotlight on this issue!