September 16 & 21, 2023

The Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assemblymembers’ group, together with JCP Dietmembers, on September 20 submitted to Culture Minister Moriyama Masahito a written request demanding that the redevelopment project for the leafy Meiji Jingu Gaien area be cancelled as called for by UNESCO’s advisory body, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), in its “Heritage Alert”.

The JCP assemblypersons’ group five days earlier made a similar demand to the Tokyo Metropolitan government.

ICOMOS issued the alert on September 7 demanding that the project be scrapped as it will lead to the destruction of urban green spaces and cut down more than 3,000 trees, including the beloved and famous ginkgo trees.

Following the issuance of the alert, the Japan ICOMOS National Committee held a press conference at the Japan National Press Club on September 15.

President of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes Elizabeth Brabec, who participated in the press conference via the Internet, said that ICOMOS announced the alert in order to express its grave concern that the project will cause the irreversible destruction of a world-renown heritage.

Criticizing the project, she said that it is unacceptable to cut down mature trees at a time when the world is attempting to tackle the climate crisis and is fully aware of the importance of maintaining urban green spaces.

Past related article:
> Tokyo Gov.: public criticism that Jingu Gaien redevelopment causes green space destruction is negative campaign [July 30, 2023]