PRESS CONFERENCE

Mikiko Ishikawa, Director, Japan National Commission for the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
Junichiro Ohkata, Specially Appointed Professor at Meiji University and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. 
Tomoko Abe, Member of the House of Representatives, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan

15:30-16:30 Wednesday, February 8, 2023
(The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation)

Why the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project should be stopped


The iconic Jingu Gaien Ginko Avenue is being threatened by a major development project. The redevelopment plan— pushed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mitsui Fudosan and other entities—calls for cutting down as many as 1,000 trees, including historic specimens over a hundred years old. In their place, developers hope to build three new skyscrapers. Existing classic baseball and rugby stadiums would be demolished and replaced.

Citizens and experts alike are voicing concerns about a project they say will destroy the area's historic landscape. Over 110,000 people have signed a petition calling for a review of the plan; Governor Yuriko Koike has not responded.

In a related effort, long-time FCCJ member Robert Whiting launched a petition opposing the demolition and rebuilding of the historic Jingu Baseball Stadium, Japan's oldest baseball field. Rugby players and supporters are trying to preserve Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. Both groups argue rebuilding will mean the loss of important and historic sports facilities. Construction may start at any time, pending the final go by Governor Koike.

Our guests will discuss why the project should be stopped and what will happen to the historic Jingu Gaien area if the redevelopment goes ahead as planned.

How to attend: 
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception. We may require wearing masks under specific circumstances, for example, there is a crowded gathering or if a guest speaker requests masks out of health concerns.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live 
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel. 

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/8fXiStiuCFoWSsGaA 
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. 

Professional Activities Committee