I (Rochelle Kopp) will be speaking to the Japan Society of Northern California this Wednesday evening March 22nd U.S. time, Thursday morning March 23rd Japan time, on "Why is Japan chopping down so many trees? Inside the Jingu Gaien and other redevelopment controversies gripping Japanese politics."

With sacred trees draped in rope at Shinto shrines, and celebration of spring blossoms and fall colors, trees play an important role in Japanese culture and in the image of Japan overseas. However, controversies over cutting down thousands of trees are gripping Japan, from big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama, to rural mountain areas. Japan Society board member Rochelle Kopp, who is currently spearheading an effort against the redevelopment of Jingu Gaien in Tokyo that will result in the loss of over 3000 trees, will share what she has learned about the threats to Japanese trees and why trees are suddenly becoming a hot political issue in Japan. She will also share how she has drawn on her experience as a consultant to Japanese organizations to advocate for change in Japan.

This will be a hybrid online and in-person program, so if you are near Palo Alto CA please join us in person, and otherwise please join online.

Detail and registration are here. 

Please spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested. 

Over the past year I have been learning a lot about the many factors contributing to destruction of trees in Japan, and I'm looking forward to sharing about it in detail.