PRESS CONFERENCE
Seiji Hayama, Director of Wild Bird Society of Japan
Tomoko Oda, Field Project Leader, Wildlife Group, Conservation Division, WWF Japan

13:00-14:00 Monday, April 20, 2026
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

Despite being one of the most urbanized countries on Earth, Japan still has enclaves of biodiversity. One is Ishigaki, a subtropical island in the Ryukyu chain, but environmentalists warn this paradise is now under threat from developers planning a massive 127-hectare golf course called the Ishigaki Resort & Community.　

Seiji Hayama of the Wild Bird Society of Japan and Tomoko Oda, an official with WWF Japan, say they have obtained documents through freedom-of-information requests that reveal previously undisclosed details of the plan and its impact on the environment. They say the development threatens habitats that host rare and endangered species, particularly Nagura Amparu, a vital wetland that supports migratory birds, freshwater fish and rare crustaceans. Opponents also voice concerns about the impact on water resources, cultural heritage and the local economy.

Please join us to hear why two of Japan's leading environmental groups question whether the project complies with environmental regulations and see it as a test case of whether sustainable development is truly possible in Japan.
How to attend: 
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live  

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/VZe6VLjnRxf6WHm6A    

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference.

Professional Activities Committee