Tokyo Bar Association Calls for Suspension of Controversial Jingu Gaien Redevelopment Project

The Tokyo bar association has joined the growing opposition to the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project, citing concerns about the environmental assessments lack of objectivity and scientific data.

The Japan Federation of Bar Associations has called on the Tokyo metropolitan government to halt the contentious redevelopment of the city's cherished Jingu Gaien park area. The lawyers' organization asserts that the environmental assessment submitted by the developers lacks objectivity, scientific basis, and sufficient data.

Insufficient Data and Flawed Research Methods

The bar association's statement highlights several shortcomings in the environmental assessment. For instance, it criticizes the developers for failing to mention the deteriorating health of gingko trees in the area, despite a report from a UN-affiliated environmental group indicating such deterioration. Additionally, the Japan branch of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which has issued a "heritage alert" for Tokyo's Gaien area, was not invited to participate in the environmental assessment meetings.

Environmental Concerns and Public Opposition

Environmentalists have raised concerns about the project's potential impact on the area's gingko trees, as high-rise buildings planned as part of the development would come too close to them. The project has also faced widespread public opposition, with hundreds of experts, including architects, environmentalists, and academics, demanding its suspension through open letters and petition campaigns.

Tokyo Governor Defends Approval

Despite the opposition, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike defended the metropolitan government's 2023 approval of the development plans, stating that she was unaware of the details in the bar association's statement. However, the developers have voluntarily delayed portions of the project, including the felling of trees, likely due to the public outcry.

Calls for Suspension and Reevaluation

The bar association urged the Tokyo metropolitan government to suspend the project, request the developers to resubmit their environmental assessment, and have it reviewed by an investigative panel of experts. The association also noted that the International Association for Impact Assessments had previously urged the Tokyo governor to stop the project, but this appeal was ignored.

The Japan Federation of Bar Associations' opposition to the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project adds to the growing chorus of voices calling for its suspension. The project's environmental assessment has come under scrutiny for its lack of objectivity and scientific rigor, while environmentalists and experts express concerns about its potential impact on the area's green spaces and heritage. As the controversy continues, the Tokyo metropolitan government faces pressure to reconsider its approval of the project and ensure that the city's beloved park area is protected.