Controversial Tokyo Redevelopment Ignites Outcry: A Battle over Central Park's Fate

Hiroshi Ono, a resident of Tokyo, was taken aback upon learning of the redevelopment proposals for Meiji Jingu Gaien, the renowned outer garden of Meiji Shrine and a cherished park in the city. Speaking at a rally arranged to resist the project, Ono expressed his concern, stating that the Jingu Gaien holds significant cultural value for both the current generation and future generations. He emphasized that carrying out such a redevelopment plan without seeking input from the citizens is unjust and conveyed a sense that the decision was made secretly and without transparency.

Situated in the heart of Tokyo, this landscaped district is positioned just east of the renowned Meiji Shrine, an essential location in the Shinto religion. Constructed solely through public donations and volunteer efforts, this district was completed in 1926 as a tribute to Emperor Meiji, the great-grandfather of the present Emperor Naruhito. Additionally, it houses the esteemed Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, a significant location for sports enthusiasts in Japan, and a baseball stadium that hosted the iconic Babe Ruth in 1934.

Nevertheless, the focal point of this district is the enchanting Ginkgo Avenue, a picturesque promenade adorned with numerous ginkgo trees, some of which have stood for over a century. However, concerned campaigners argue that these cherished trees are now facing potential threats.

The 300-meter-long (984-foot) Ginkgo Avenue is lined with almost 150 ginkgo trees.

In February, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government granted approval to a 349-billion-yen ($2.3 billion) redevelopment plan for a 28.4-hectare area. The project, expected to take more than ten years to finish, involves demolishing and reconstructing the aging rugby and baseball stadiums. Adjacent to the latter stadium, there will be a new hotel along with two skyscrapers towering nearly 200 meters (650 feet) high, offering office space and luxurious serviced apartments. Additionally, there will be another tower measuring 80 meters (260 feet) in height.

The world's largest office building, which is even larger than the Pentagon, has started construction in March. Despite promises from developers to safeguard the row of ginkgo trees and enhance the green area surrounding the proposed sports hub, the plan has caused public outrage in Tokyo. Demonstrations and lawsuits have been filed by outraged residents, and a petition with over 225,000 signatures urges authorities to withdraw their support for the project.

Last month, Jingu Gaien received a "heritage alert" from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body of UNESCO. The organization expressed concerns about the potential irreversible destruction of cultural heritage due to the possible removal of around 3,000 trees and open park space.

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Tokyo authorities dismissed the ICOMOS alert as biased, but they still requested the project developers to provide a more comprehensive plan before proceeding with tree removal. In response, Mitsui Fudosan, the real estate firm leading the project, promised to provide further details on their efforts for conservation. They also assured that new tree planting initiatives would ensure the sustainability of Jingu Gaien for the next century.

Peopless forest

Situated between Tokyos downtown Shinjuku and Minato districts, the Jingu Gaien encompasses a revered "Eternal Forest," whereas the Jingu Naien (also known as the "inner garden") was specifically created as a communal "forest for the people," in accordance with ICOMOS Japan's directives.

From its inception until the conclusion of World War II, the outer garden was under the ownership of the Japanese national government, with management delegated to the shrine. However, following the country's surrender, the American occupation assumed control of the site until Meiji Jingu's religious leaders took over, under the condition that it would remain accessible to the public. Naoko Nishikawa, an advocate and editor-in-chief of Kenchiku, a Japanese architecture journal, explains that the current commercial development goes against the commitment to maintain Jingu Gaien as a public space.

Shinji Isoya, a landscape architect and member of the Meiji Jingu board of trustees, asserts that the project is vital for the shrine's financial sustenance, particularly since Japan's post-war constitution prohibits direct government funding for "religious corporations" that own Shinto shrines, as part of the mandated separation of religion and state.

Protesters gather for a demonstration at Meiji Jingu Gaien on September 15, 2023.

According to Shinji, the revenue for the organization mostly comes from rental and lease income from various sources such as the baseball stadium, cafes along Gingko Avenue, and the Meiji Memorial Hall, which serves as an events venue. Approximately 90% of the organization's revenue is generated from these sources. Shinji also emphasized the importance of private funding, as any temporary closure of the baseball stadium for renovations will greatly hinder the ability of shrine leaders to raise funds necessary for the maintenance of operations and the Eternal Forest.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in an email to CNN, expressed that the developers have shown their dedication to preserving and safeguarding the gardens in both the inner and outer areas of Meiji Jingu. They have also emphasized their intention to make these gardens more accessible for future generations through necessary renovations and improvements. Furthermore, Mitsui Fudosan, in another email, affirmed their commitment to handle each tree with care and conserve and relocate as many trees as possible. As a separate matter, it has been decided to demolish Tokyo's renowned Nakagin Capsule Tower.

Cultural asset or commercial hub?

Despite this, there are skeptics who remain unconvinced. Representative Hajime Funada, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, expressed his doubts during a recent press conference in Tokyo. He criticized the Meiji Jingu for its lack of transparency regarding its financial information, claiming that the organization's secrecy creates the perception that it is prioritizing the preservation of its inner garden over generating income from the outer garden.

The Meiji Jingu Stadium, currently serving as the home ground for the professional baseball team, the Yakult Swallows, holds an esteemed status among sports enthusiasts and has even made appearances in various manga and anime series.

Kiyotatsu Yamamoto, an associate professor specializing in landscape planning and tourism at the University of Tokyo, believes that the lack of clear recognition by authorities regarding the cultural significance of the park has fueled opposition against its redevelopment.

He highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the adjacent Japan National Stadium, designed for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Despite being praised by some for its avoidance of carbon-intensive concrete, the stadium was built using approximately 1,500 felled trees, resulting in an estimated cost of 157 billion yen ($1.4 billion).

The proposed rugby stadium, the design of which remains subject to change, is depicted in a digital rendering.

Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd.

Rochelle Kopp, a management consultant based in Tokyo, organized the petition mentioned above. She expressed that the public is frustrated with the continuous destruction of trees for massive construction projects. Kopp further argued that city officials used the Olympic stadium as an excuse to eliminate building height limitations that previously existed in Jingu Gaien. This decision, as stated in her petition, opened the door for the approval of skyscrapers on the proposed site.

Mikiko Ishikawa, the director of ICOMOS, drew a parallel between the plan and constructing skyscrapers in New York's Central Park or a stadium next to its row of American Elms. She expressed concern that building the new baseball stadium's foundations at a depth of 40 meters (131 feet), a mere 6 meters (20 feet) from one side of Ginkgo Avenue, would disrupt the trees' roots and obstruct their access to sunlight and water.

Ishikawa emphasized the importance of collaboration between the national government, local authorities, developers, and citizens in order to devise effective strategies for preserving this significant park.

Blueprint for the future

Tokyo's government has classified over 30% of the city as "protected areas," comprising of conservation zones and green spaces that play a vital role in promoting biodiversity. However, data released by the World Cities Culture Forum reveals that only 7.5% of Tokyo's land is occupied by parks and gardens, compared to 27% in New York and 33% in London.

Campaigners argue that more legal protections are needed to conserve scarce greenery in the Japanese capital.

Work commenced at the Meiji Jingu Gaien site in March.

Daniel Campisi/CNN

Kopp recently submitted another petition, this time advocating for the renovation of the two stadiums instead of tearing them down and rebuilding. Both Kopp and ICOMOS director Ishikawa have urged authorities to designate Gingko Avenue as a "place of scenic beauty" according to Japan's Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.

In the past, developers have made promises to replace the trees they cut down with a greater number, but architect and activist Nishikawa questioned the significance of replacing mature trees with new saplings. Studies have shown that older, larger trees are more effective at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than younger ones. Nishikawa argued that as the world grapples with the climate crisis, Japan should prioritize the preservation of urban spaces.

"Why tamper with the heritage of Jingu Gaien, which has acquired cultural value over its 100-year history, just because a factory in the area has shut down and can no longer be used?" she inquired. Nishikawa highlighted Kobes Koshien Stadium as a prime instance of how historical structures can be revitalized through meticulous renovation, using its 15-year renovation process since its establishment in 1924 as a testament to this approach instead of demolition.

Speaking to CNN, ICOMOS director Mikiko Ishikawa likened the plan to "building skyscrapers in New Yorks Central Park."

Yamamoto, the expert on national parks, suggested that prioritizing restoration rather than demolishing and rebuilding public facilities in Japan could change people's perception of architecture. He believed that focusing more on renovation could pose a challenge to the prevailing trend of designing buildings with limited lifespans, a practice known as "scrap and build" in Japan.

Campaigners argue that the absence of public consultation regarding the future of the parks has amplified distrust towards developers and authorities, leading to apprehension about other green areas in Japan.

Kopp expressed, "With this existing plan, developers will never gain the support and approval of the public. They should reconsider their approach and adopt a more democratic process to determine the fate of Jingu Gaien."