Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Olympic Stadium and JinguGaien


東京・明治神宮外苑の再開発計画の撤回などを求めている国連教育科学文化機関（ユネスコ）の諮問機関である
国際記念物遺跡会議（イコモス）の関係者らが15日、東京都千代田区の日本記者クラブで記者会見した。
国際文化的景観委員会のエリザベス・ブラベック委員長は、オンラインで参加し「将来の世代のため、事業を
ただちに中止することを呼びかけたい」と述べた。 　イコモスは、再開発で文化的資産が危機に直面している
として、緊急要請「ヘリテージアラート」を7日に公表。三井不動産などの事業者に計画の撤回を、都には
環境影響評価（アセスメント）の再審議を求めた。


明治神宮外苑再発の中止を勧告

Source:NHK news September 15, 2023

Tokyo should rethink plan to cut down historical trees for redevelopment project

Officials in charge of a redevelopment plan for the outer garden area of Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine,
known as Meiji Jingu Gaien, recently held a briefing for residents. A stream of participants questioned
the necessity of the project and its effect on the environment. The felling of trees with high public value
must not be pushed ahead while doubts about the move remain unaddressed. Under the plan,
Meiji Jingu Stadium and Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium would be rebuilt in another area,
and three high-rise buildings would be constructed in their place.

The plans are being pushed ahead by Meiji Jingu and a major real estate firm, among other parties.
As the plan calls for the felling or relocation of around 1,000 medium-sized and tall trees, opposition
to the project is spreading. The briefing was staged in response to the mounting opposition, but it was
only open to residents from a small area. The focus of questions nevertheless ranged widely, from
changes to the landscape to noise after the relocation of the stadiums. It is difficult to say that locals'
understanding toward the project has deepened. A major problem is that project officials have been
trying to creep forward with the redevelopment of a green space loved not only by residents but by
many members of the wider public without sufficiently releasing information. It became evident in
the meeting that residents were distrustful of developers' method of rushing to make the project a
done deal and leaving consensus-building till later. It is feared that a major felling of trees could
negatively impact the environment and that the construction of the new stadiums will inhibit the growth
of the ginkgo trees that that area is famous for.

Concerns that skyscrapers and other features will change the character of the area have not been resolved
either. The developers explained it is difficult to renovate Jinju Stadium and so it needs to be relocated
and rebuilt. But concrete evidence is lacking. Normally administrative authorities have a responsibility
to oversee such projects. But the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which has authorized the redevelop-
ment, is basically working in tandem with the developers.

The nongovernmental group ICOMOS Japan, which is involved in the protection of cultural assets, has
voiced its doubts about an environmental assessment report that the project operators submitted to
the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, questioning the survey methods and other issues. However,
the metropolitan government's environmental impact assessment committee did not hear directly
from ICOMOS about the issues, effectively placing a lid on the verification process. Meanwhile, the
Japan branch of the International Association for Impact Assessment has strongly criticized the project,
citing flaws in the procedures. It is difficult to understand the response of Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike,
who has repeatedly said and done things that lack a sense of ownership of the situation. She should
work with the developers to make sure the felling of medium-sized and tall trees does not proceed as
things stand, and lead a review of the redevelopment plans.
July 21, 2023 (Mainichi Japan)


引用：テレビ朝日、モーニングショウ


東京・明治神宮外苑地区（新宿、港、渋谷区）の神宮第二球場を解体して跡地にラグビー場を建設し、
スポーツ施設を作り直し、高層ビルを新設するなどとする再開発計画案を巡り、東京都は９月12日、
事業者の三井不動産や明治神宮など四者に、神宮第2球場周辺の樹木の伐採を始める前に、伐採本数を
減らすなど樹木保全の具体策を示すよう要請した。「伐採に着手することは容認できない」 解体工事は
始まっており、事業者側は工事の支障となる樹木を伐採する予定。事業者は、今年1月告示の環境影響評価
アセスメント）評価書で「既存樹木について設計、施工の両面からの工夫により、保存または移植を
検討する」としていた。 要請文では「既存樹木の保全の検討結果はいまだ示されていない」と指摘。
都環境局の担当者は「樹木の保全について以前から要請してきた」と述べ、具体策を示さないまま伐採に
着手することは容認できないとの認識を示した。 事業者の三井不動産は取材に対し「事業者として
真摯に受け止めている。今後、都と協議、検討する」とコメントした。

神宮外苑の樹木1000本の伐採に強く反対する。もはや、都市の環境問題をさらに深刻に考え、人間の
健やかな暮らしに欠かせない自然を守る事をむしろ希求されているこの時代に、大事な自然を破壊し、
闇雲にただセメントの箱を建てまくり、近代化を装う目的である都市計画はむしろ時代の流れに逆らった
行為であり、当然見逃せない愚行である。 東京都民の思いを反映せず、ただ数人の都市計画審議会委員
の独断によって決められた決議に反対し、伐採の即刻中止を求めるのが大多数の都民の意思である。



A tranquil moat with a lot of grass and algae, near Akasaka-Mituke

(L) Torii of Meiji Shrine (R) Temizusha, purification through a hand-washing basin

(L) Ema, votive tablets for a special personal prayer (R) The Main Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine and Inner Garden
Pictures Copyright (C) 2023 Junhaku Miyamoto, PhD. All right is reserved.

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神宮外苑地区再開発計画の見直しもしくは中止を求める請願書 ( 印刷用 )


　神宮外苑の樹木伐採反対
2023年9月執筆
執筆　医学博士　宮本順伯
★ This Web site is link-free..
The article was written in September 2023, by Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D., PhD.