Kushiro Marsh in Hokkaido is Being Encroached Upon by Mega Solar Power Plants

Based on the recommendations, the city introduced a notification system in July of last year, clearly indicating areas where solar panels are not appropriate to be installed and establishing compliance requirements for installers. However, even six months later, the system is still not being followed, and problems continue to occur. In December of last year, a Tokyo-based company, which was proceeding with the installation of solar panels on a vast area of approximately 3.3 million m2 of land, was punished for excavating through a forest without permission. In addition, problems involving foreign workers have also erupted. Mayumi Kano, who runs a guest house in Kushiro City, said, “Chinese workers have been working on the project for a while.

A Chinese worker had been renting out the guest house for a while for construction work, but he ran away without paying his rent. We managed to collect the money from the affiliated company, but at one point we were prepared to sue.

What do installation operators think about this? Tokyu Land Corporation, which operates Kushiro’s largest solar power plant, Suzuran Kushiro-cho Solar Power Plant, responded, “We are taking action to protect rare species.

Tokyu Land Corporation, which operates “Suzuran Kushiro-cho Solar Power Plant,” the largest of its kind in Kushiro, responded, “To protect rare species, we have planned the construction in consideration of the timing and routes. We also conducted an ecological survey on the impact of the development at the request of the Ministry of the Environment and an NPO” (Public Relations Office).

Once the nature of the marshland is lost, it will take a long time to recover. Strict regulations will need to be put in place before it is too late.

From the February 16, 2024 issue of FRIDAY