HOKKAIDO, Sep 05 (News On Japan) - Construction of a large-scale solar power facility near the Kushiro Wetland, Japan’s largest marshland, has come under fire for unauthorized work.
On September 2nd, the Hokkaido government issued a warning ordering the suspension of construction in areas where permits were not obtained. At the same time, the Kushiro City Council has introduced a draft ordinance requiring stricter procedures, including habitat surveys of endangered species such as red-crowned cranes.
The disputed project involves installing 6,600 solar panels across an area the size of six soccer fields. Because the site is privately owned land located just outside the national park boundary, it is not subject to regulations under the Natural Parks Act. Developer Japan Ecology argues that it followed city guidelines by submitting environmental surveys and construction plans, which were accepted by the city. The company has been pushing toward completion by the end of the year.
However, concerns are mounting about the impact on rare species and the surrounding wetland ecosystem. At a site adjacent to the construction zone, the Institute for Raptor Biomedicine in Japan reported heavy noise disrupting both captive and wild birds, including red-crowned cranes with newly hatched chicks and white-tailed eagles observed in the area this year. The city’s Board of Education requested that the developer conduct further surveys in August.
Investigations later revealed that parts of the work had begun without approval under the Forest Act. Hokkaido has urged Japan Ecology to stop the illegal construction, and the company has said it will consult on how to proceed with the disputed portions.
Meanwhile, solar development is spreading rapidly across Kushiro. As of the end of July, at least 524 solar facilities were already in place, with another 27 planned. Kushiro Mayor Hidenori Tsuruma stressed that the city must balance renewable energy growth with protecting nature, saying, “We will safeguard the wetland and the entire natural environment of Kushiro through this ordinance.”
The proposed ordinance, expected to pass on September 17th, introduces a permit system replacing the current notification system. Projects of 10 kilowatts or more will require prior consultations with the city and explanatory meetings with residents. In addition, five species, including cranes and white-tailed eagles, will be designated as “special conservation species,” obligating developers to conduct habitat surveys and prepare preservation plans before approval is granted. The ordinance would apply to projects starting from January 2026, meaning the current project will not be covered.
Kusiro City Environmental Council Chairman Fusayuki Kanda, who helped draft the ordinance, called it “the strongest card we have” to restrict development harmful to wildlife and cultural assets. Across Hokkaido, at least 27 municipalities already enforce similar solar regulations, though their contents vary.
Experts note that flat, inexpensive land in Hokkaido has made the region a hotspot for mega-solar development. According to Noritaka Yamashita, senior researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies, areas like Kushiro are often targeted because they hold high environmental value but limited economic value for residential or commercial use, making them easier for developers to acquire.
The debate highlights the growing tension between Japan’s push for renewable energy and the preservation of ecologically sensitive areas.
Source: HBCニュース 北海道放送
