Heritage Alert: Immediate threat to the urban forest of Jingu Gaien, Tokyo, Japan
3.4 ha parkland and approximately 3,000 heritage trees lost to redevelopment
Press Release
7 September 2023
ICOMOS, together with its Japanese National Committee and International Scientific Committee on CulturalLandscapes, is issuing a Heritage Alert calling for the withdrawal of the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project– including the plan to cut down over 3,000 trees - scheduled to begin in September 2023.This is vital toensure the preservation and continuity of the core of the Tokyo Garden City Park System, in existence sincethe 17th century.
The planned construction of three high-rise buildings as well as the replacement and relocation of theexisting baseball and rugby stadiums with new stadiums, will lead to the complete destruction of the urban
forest that has been formed and nurtured over the past 100 years.
The project proponents are Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd., Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Japan Sports Council, and Itochu
Co. Ltd. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has approved the redevelopment plan in the absence of proper
dialogue with local citizens and other stakeholders.
Urban parks are places for people’s recreation and also contribute to maintaining rich biodiversity. They
mitigate the heat island effect in cities and provide shelter in case of natural disasters such as major
earthquakes. Jingu Gaien, created through donations and voluntary work of citizens, represents an
outstanding cultural heritage, unparalleled in the history of urban parks world-wide.
In light of the above, ICOMOS is issuing this Heritage Alert and calls upon:
1.

The project proponents - Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd., Meiji Jingu Shrine, Japan Sports Council, andItochu Co. Ltd. – to immediately withdraw the redevelopment project of Jingu Gaien, fulfilling theirsocial and ethical responsibilities as an international corporation, a religious association, and a fairand honest promoter of sports;

2.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government to review the relevant city planning decisions, recognizing that its
decision to remove this urban park in favor of the construction of skyscrapers’ will permanently deprive
citizens of their right to use the park and that the environmental impact assessment carried out for theredevelopment project has fundamental flaws and needs to be re-examined on the basis of bestpractice methodology;

3.

The Meiji Jingu Shrine to immediately withdraw from the project, considering that Jingu Gaien wascreated thanks to the donations and voluntary labor provided by citizens, on the understanding thatthe promise to "maintain it as a beautiful park for eternity” would be fulfilled;

4.

The Minato, Shinjuku, and Shibuya Wards to work on ensuring that Jingu Gaien is designated as aPlace of Scenic Beauty, in the interest of future generations.

5.

The national government of Japan to intervene, and not consider this a problem of Tokyo only.

ICOMOS Japan has presented an alternative plan that does not involve the cutting down of numerous
trees and prevents the carbon emissions that would result from the present plans. ICOMOS calls for thecreation of a forum where diverse stakeholders can contribute to discussion on the future of the park.
Read the full letter sent by ICOMOS
Contact: ICOMOS Japan - jpicomos[at]japan-icomos.org

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is a unique non-governmental, not-for-profit
international organisation committed to furthering the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of the world’s
cultural heritage. ICOMOS is dedicated to the development of common doctrines, the evolution and dissemination ofknowledge, the creation of improved conservation techniques, and the promotion of cultural heritage significance. It hasbuilt a solid philosophical, doctrinal and managerial framework for the sustainable conservation of heritage around theworld. As an official advisory body to the World Heritage Committee for the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage
Convention, ICOMOS evaluates nominations and advises on the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World
Heritage List.
ICOMOS Japan, the National Committee of ICOMOS in Japan, has almost 500 members.
www.icomos.org

Fig.1 - Jingu Gaien, the core of the Garden City Park System, facing immediate threat by urban
redevelopment
Created by Laboratory of Green Infrastructure in Research and Development Initiative,
Chuo University. Graphics by graphic designers Noriko & Isao Tsunoi.

Fig. 2 – Alternative Proposal by ICOMOS Japan: Jingu Gaien--A bridge for the Peaceful World
Created by Laboratory of Green Infrastructure in Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University.

2000

1892

1800
1600

Preserved Trees

1400
12001000886

Moved Trees

743

800
600
400275200010
事業者

2Felled Trees日本イコモス

Developers Plan ICOMOS Plan

名前名前伐採Fig. 3 - Comparison of Number of Trees (Preserved/Moved/Felled) between Developer’s Plan andICOMOS PlanICOMOS Japan

c/o Japan Cultural Heritage Consultancy
2-5-5-13F Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0003, Japan.
Tel&Fax: +81-3-3261-5303
E-mail: jpicomos@japan-icomos.org

Appendix 1March 29, 2023

2-2-5 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo,101-0003, Japan
Iwanami Shoten Hitotsubashi Bldg. 13F
c/o Japan Cultural Heritage Consultancy
Yasuyoshi Okada, Chairman, ICOMOS Japan
Tel/Fax 03-3261-5303
Email: jpicomos@japan-icomos.org

Statement calling for a withdrawal of Jingu Gaien Redevelopment Plan
Jingu Gaien created and nurtured by the people of Japan, is a public space thatrepresents the modern era of Japan, and its beautiful park landscape is a cultural
heritage that we are proud to share with the world. The redevelopment plan for Jingu
Gaien has been approved by Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) in March 2022
and the project is currently underway by a corporate group.
Since last year, as the details of this plan were becoming clear, ICOMOS Japan
conducted on-site investigations and have come to the conclusion that thisredevelopment project, under the guise of good urban development, will greatly damage
Jingu Gaien where the Ginkgo promenade and historic trees have been preserved very
well through the efforts of many people.
This is not compatible with the report of the project promoter who conducted theenvironmental impact assessment. Nevertheless, TMG has accepted the report and isproceeding with procedures that ignore the wishes of the people, such as making
decisions that reduce the park area and approving projects without responding to errors
and unscientific methodologies in the environmental impact assessment report.
ICOMOS Japan cannot afford to overlook this redevelopment. Since Dec. 2021, when
we submitted our opinions on the "City Planning Jingu Gaien Area District Plan" to theTokyo Metropolitan Government, we have visited the Bureau of Urban Development
and the Bureau of Environment of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and offered
many proposals and requests both to the developers and TMG, as shown in the attachedICOMOS Japan

c/o Japan Cultural Heritage Consultancy
2-5-5-13F Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0003, Japan.
Tel&Fax: +81-3-3261-5303
E-mail: jpicomos@japan-icomos.org

sheet. During this period, the Environment Bureau of TMG encouraged dialogue
between the developers and ICOMOS Japan, but unfortunately, the developers did not
respond to our requests, and TMG never took the opportunity to respond in any way.
The redevelopment project of Jingu Gaien began without any changes to the originalplan.
It is clear that Jingu Gaien is now in a critical condition. This redevelopment projectwill eventually destroy this precious cultural heritage in Tokyo. ICOMOS Japan urges
TMG and the developers, to take heed of the voices of the people who cherish Jingu
Gaien, as well as the voices of the residents and people from all over the world, and tochange this redevelopment plan as quickly and as profoundly as possible.

2ICOMOS Japan

c/o Japan Cultural Heritage Consultancy
2-5-5-13F Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0003, Japan.
Tel&Fax: +81-3-3261-5303
E-mail: jpicomos@japan-icomos.org

List of documents issued by ICOMOS Japan regarding the Jingu
Gaien Redevelopment ProjectWebsite: ICOMOS Japan

March 7, 2023: Request for verification of pedestrian traffic safety caused by the relocation ofChichibunomiya Rugby Stadium and pending tree cutting.
March 7, 2023: Request for the preservation of "Jingu Gaien Kasumigaoka Gate" to be
destroyed by the relocation of Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.
February 20, 2023: Request for the answer from the developers about the "false report"
identified by ICOMOS Japan regarding the environment assessment report.
January 29, 2023: Urgent Request - Request pursuant to Article 91, Paragraph 1, Item 5 of theTokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Environmental Impact Assessment.
January 23,2023: Request for Retrial of Environmental Impact Assessment Report, concerning
destruction of ecosystems caused from unscientific methodologies on surveys, forecasts, andassessments; Unsustainable forest mitigation due to massive tree cutting and inappropriate
transplanting plans; Destruction of the cultural heritage created by the power of citizens.
December 25, 2022: Urgent Request: Do not "lift the restriction on implementation" (Article 61of the ordinance) by "public notice" (Article 59, Paragraph 1 of the TMG Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance).
December 24, 2022: Urgent Request for a "review of fine root cutting and ring peelingtreatment" and for the introduction of the comprehensive study of ginkgo trees toward
permanent conservation.
December 16, 2022: Urgent Survey Report, "Ginko Promenade of Jingu Gaien"
October 3, 2022: Proposal for conservation and succession of Jingu Gaien, a cultural heritage
representing public space in modern Japan - Toward Conservation of "Urban Green Space, as
Common Social Capital”.
3ICOMOS Japan

c/o Japan Cultural Heritage Consultancy
2-5-5-13F Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0003, Japan.
Tel&Fax: +81-3-3261-5303
E-mail: jpicomos@japan-icomos.org

April 26, 2022: Proposal to avoid cutting down trees and restore Jingu Gaien, a masterpiece ofmodern Japan.
February 7, 2022: Proposal for the succession to the future of Jingu Gaien, an outstanding
cultural heritage created by the public's donation, dedication and service.
February 1, 2022: Trees planned to be cut down or transplanted according to the Jingu Gaien
Area District Plan.
December 28, 2021: Opinion on the " City Planning Jingu Gaien Area District Plan”

4Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4
Letter from Musician Ryuichi Sakamoto to the Governor of Tokyo
Metropolitan Government （Translated from Japanese)

Musician, Ryuichi Sakamoto 2013
© KAB America – Sourced on Wikimedia

Dear Ms Yoriko Koike,
Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government,

Feb.24, 2023

Please excuse my abrupt letter.
I am Ryuichi Sakamoto, a musician.
I would like to tell you my thoughts on the redevelopment of Jingu Gaien.
Please read on.
Frankly speaking, we should not sacrifice the precious Jingu trees that our predecessors have spent acentury protecting and nurturing for immediate economic gain.
These trees can benefit everybody, but from the development, only a handful of wealthy people will benefit.
These trees are nature itself, and once lost, they can never be regained.
In New York City, where I live, in 2007, the Mayor at that time, Bloomberg launched a project to plant one
million trees in the city. This was based on environmental and mental health considerations, social justice,and above all, goals for the future. It is a profound thought for the next generation.
Following the lead of NY City, afforestation campaigns are underway in Boston, LA, and other cities in theUSA.
Now, people all around the world are working toward the realization of the SDGs. However, the developmentof Jingu Gaien is far from sustainability.
If you are going to achieve sustainability, you should suspend the Jingu Gaien redevelopment project that iscurrently underway, and review the plan totally so that we can hand these trees to our future children.
You should clearly identify that Tokyo is a "sanctuary of the city and nature" and take the political initiative toachieve this goal. I believe that you will win the admiration from the world.
For protecting Jingu Gaien forever, I respectfully request that you will take this opportunity to designate Jingu
Gaien as a Place of Scenic Beauty.
I am looking forward to your leadership.
Ryuichi Sakamoto
https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/243643