Court orders Tokyo to stop seizing land for a new motorway

The Tokyo District Court on October 3 ordered the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to stop expropriating land for the construction of a new access road in the metropolitan area, upholding the claim filed by residents of the Ushinuma District of Akiruno City in western Tokyo.

Pointing out that no immediate need is recognized for the construction of the road, the court rejected the claim justifying the construction plan.

The court ruled that the interests of residents regarding the Ushinuma District as their retirement home are the foundation of personal rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and that no other district can easily replace it.

The residents and their lawyers on the same day published a comment stating, "The court decision put the brakes on the administrative involvement disregarding the residents' interests. This reflects the public criticism of wasteful public works projects." (end)