The plan approved earlier by
The park area is renown for more than 100 ginkgo trees that line a long promenade, and was established 100 years ago to honor the Meiji Emperor. Botanists says the ginkgo trees will be under threat from any new construction.
They include: Japanese Prime Minister
The letter also went to political leaders in the central
“Overall, more than 3,000 trees will be destroyed, with more than 500 of those estimated to be over 100 years of age," the open letter said.
"ICOMOS regards this as an irreversible destruction of cultural heritage, and an unacceptable loss of open space and mature heritage trees at a time when the world response to climate change recognizes the critical importance of maintaining urban open spaces and all parts of the urban forest.”
The project has gathered mounting opposition from area residents, famous Japanese novelist
Several lawsuits have also been filed in a bid to stop the project, and earlier this month the pop-rock group the “Southern All Stars” put out a song titled the “The Song of the Forest” lamenting the park's demise.
The band's songwriter and vocalist
The lyrics include a phrase that suggests the lack of transparency.
“I’ve always, always thought, things are decided when we don’t realize it.”
Separately, a group of 80 including artists, architects, and actors have come out in opposition to the project, writing of their attachment to the beloved park area.
The heritage body asks the city “to immediately halt the urban development project” and calls for a redo of the city's environment assessment, which ICOMOS says contains “numerous errors and unscientific methodologies.”
The letter also says “little or no information” was provided to the public and urges “diverse stakeholders” to decide on the future of the park.
ICOMOS also asks that the Meiji Jingu Shrine withdraw from the project “considering that Jingu Gaien was created thanks to the voluntary labor provided by citizens on the understanding” that the park space would be maintained “for eternity.”
At the heart of the matter is who controls public park space and the role of private developers, politicians, and the public in deciding how valuable land parcels are used. Some have likened the project to building skyscrapers in the middle of New York's
About 1,500 trees were chopped down in the same area to build the
Developers have argued the baseball stadium and rugby venue cannot be renovated and must be razed.
However,
Meiji Kinenkan, a historic reception hall, dates from 1881. It’s still in wide use in Jingu Gaien, with no calls for its demolition.
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