Society

Hokkaido Village Buys Land to Block Solar Panels Near Red-Crowned Crane Habitat

HOKKAIDO, Sep 12 (News On Japan) - Tsurui Village in eastern Hokkaido plans to purchase privately owned land to preserve the landscape around the habitat of the red-crowned crane, a government-designated Special Natural Monument, after a proposal emerged to install solar panels on the site.

The parcel under consideration lies about 1.5 kilometers southeast of the Otowa Bridge, a well-known spot for photographing cranes. The area forms the backdrop seen from the bridge, and according to people involved, an Osaka-based operator had at one point planned to place solar panels there.

To protect the view, the village is negotiating with the landowner to buy roughly 7.5 hectares outside the boundary of Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park, including talks over price.

The village says addressing the issue under existing non-binding ordinances would be difficult, and therefore it is pursuing a land purchase to maintain the scenery.

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

Japan to Tighten Age Verification Rules for Social Media

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on April 22 presented a draft outline of key issues to an expert panel examining protections for minors on social networking services, taking a cautious stance toward blanket age-based access restrictions that have been increasingly introduced overseas.

Japan's Bus Driver Shortage Deepens

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Four Japanese Crew Members Disembark in Persian Gulf, 16 Remain

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Japan's Answer to Dangerous Sewer Pipes

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Japan to Allow Overseas Sales of Lethal Weapons

The Japanese government on April 21 revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and related guidelines, in principle allowing the export of weapons with lethal capabilities. The move marks a major turning point in Japan's postwar security policy.

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