GUNMA - Mountains of discarded tires and other waste have accumulated in residential neighborhoods in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, for more than a decade, prompting authorities to issue cleanup orders after detecting fluoride concentrations up to three times the permitted level, with the prefectural government setting aside 964 million yen for their removal.
The problem has troubled local residents for more than 10 years, with piles of tires, garbage bags and other discarded items covering several properties in the city. At one site, formerly used as a parking lot, tires have been stacked so long that flowers have begun growing from them.
Residents say the dumping began more than a decade ago and has steadily worsened, affecting their daily lives. One resident complained that insects had become a serious problem, while dust blowing from the site made it impossible to open windows.
Similar conditions have been found elsewhere in Tatebayashi. At another location, thick vegetation has grown over a large mound of waste, concealing numerous discarded tires beneath the greenery. Shoes, ornaments and other household items have also been abandoned among the piles.
According to the Tatebayashi municipal government, four locations across the city are affected by the accumulation of waste. In October 2025, the Gunma prefectural government issued improvement orders covering three of the sites after environmental inspections detected fluoride concentrations reaching approximately three times the regulatory standard.
All three properties subject to the orders are managed by the same individual, according to city officials. During questioning, the person insisted that the accumulated materials were "valuable items" rather than waste and showed no indication of complying with the orders.
The refusal has left authorities considering stronger measures to address the environmental concerns and the continuing impact on nearby residents.
Gunma Prefecture has allocated approximately 964 million yen to cover the cost of removing the accumulated materials, reflecting the scale of the cleanup operation required after years of unchecked accumulation.
Governor Ichita Yamamoto acknowledged the substantial financial burden at a press conference, saying, "Even if this requires a considerable budget, the prefecture has no choice but to deal with it properly."
If the situation does not improve, the prefectural government is considering administrative enforcement measures that would allow authorities to carry out the removal work themselves.
Such action would enable the government to proceed with the cleanup despite the property manager's refusal to comply, potentially bringing an end to a problem that has disrupted life in Tatebayashi's residential neighborhoods for more than a decade.
Source: FNN
