Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2013 November 6 - 12 [ENVIRONMENT]

Tokyo spent only one day on environmental impact research at Olympics sites

The Tokyo government has judged its canoe run construction for the 2020 Olympics will have no negative impact on endangered species at the site based only on its one-day field investigation.

Kasai Rinkai Park, located at a waterfront area in eastern Tokyo, is where the metropolitan government plans to build canoeing facilities for the 2020 Summer Games. So far, 26 bird species designated as endangered species on Tokyo’s Red List, including the little tern, have been spotted in the park.

An environmental impact assessment report, compiled by the metropolitan government, has concluded that the little tern nests outside the construction site and thus will not be affected by the construction of the canoe run.

The Wild Bird Society of Japan and other nature conservation groups have called on Tokyo to change its construction plan in order to avoid the inevitable destruction of the rich natural environment conserved at Kasai Rinkai Park.

Iida Nobuya, representing the Tokyo chapter of Wild Bird Society of Japan, said, “It is very regrettable to see Tokyo’s report conclude that there will not be significant negative effects based on the absolutely insufficient study.” Investigations into wildlife habitats to be valid should be continued for at least a year, he stressed.

Tokyo conducted investigations on wild birds at 10 construction sites for the Olympics from May to July in 2012. All the investigations took place in just one day, lasting from an hour and 15 minutes to six hours.

Past related article:
> New arena for Olympics will force wild birds out (February 21, 2013)