News On Japan

Mega Solar Farm Sparks Backlash Over Deforestation

CHIBA, Oct 03 (News On Japan) - Vast hillsides have been cleared for the construction of a large-scale solar power facility in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture, leaving piles of felled trees scattered across the slopes. The development covers approximately 146 hectares, or the size of 32 Tokyo Domes, and involves cutting down about 365,000 trees to make way for 470,000 solar panels.

Citizen groups opposing the project argue that Chiba Prefecture revised its development standards after granting approval in 2019, insisting the plan should be reassessed under the new rules. "All of this is based on the 2019 standards, which means it no longer meets current requirements. That alone should invalidate it," said Kunie Katsumata of the Kamogawa Mountains, Rivers and Sea Protection Association.

Chiba Prefecture has acknowledged that the developer is reviewing the plan and has issued 58 administrative guidance notices to date. These cover a wide range of requirements, including water quality inspections, submission of construction plans, and measures to prevent soil runoff.

Residential areas lie directly below the cleared slopes, raising concerns among locals. "If there’s a landslide, it could be disastrous. I don’t oppose solar power itself, but I do worry about how safety is being ensured," said one nearby resident. Others expressed frustration, claiming that prefectural guidance allows authorities to sidestep responsibility and calling for the project to be halted.

The developer is preparing a temporary storage site for the large volume of timber, while provisional fencing has been ordered to reduce the risk of debris flow until the site is complete. The company has stated on its website that sufficient safety measures are in place following inspections by prefectural officials, but it has offered little direct response to inquiries.

Chiba Prefecture has pledged to continue monitoring the project and providing advice and instructions to ensure the development proceeds appropriately and in compliance with regulations.

Source: FNN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

A man wielding knives in both hands was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on the afternoon of October 25th after injuring a riot police officer on duty.

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Geothermal energy is drawing growing global attention as a key to combating global warming and achieving a decarbonized society. Among clean energy sources, it stands out for its stability and scalability. Japan, blessed with abundant volcanic activity, possesses the world’s third-largest geothermal reserves—yet its utilization remains limited.

A next-generation hydrogen-powered vessel that operated during the Expo is set to expand its role beyond the event.

A rare astronomical event will unfold next week as Comet Lemmon makes its closest approach to Earth on October 21st, offering skywatchers a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that will not return for roughly 1,400 years.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that satellite images from the Himawari-9 weather satellite are currently unavailable due to a communication failure. While some functions have been restored through the backup satellite Himawari-8, key nighttime observation data such as infrared imagery remain inaccessible.

Tokyo has confirmed its first case of a dog infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a potentially fatal disease transmitted by ticks. It is the first time an animal infection has been recorded in the capital.

Osaka University’s Professor Shimon Sakaguchi has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering regulatory T cells that suppress excessive immune reactions, a landmark finding that has brought excitement to colleagues, students, and the medical community.

Collectors and growers in Australia have long been limited by availability. Import restrictions, shifting regulations, and supply gaps have made sourcing quality seeds a challenge.

TeamLab has opened a new art space, “TeamLab BioVortex Kyoto,” in Kyoto’s Minami Ward, featuring around 50 works including several unveiled in Japan for the first time. Spanning approximately 10,000 square meters, the facility offers an immersive interactive experience where light, sound, and motion respond dynamically to visitors’ movements.