What Happened?

The proposed Kushiro Mega Solar⁢ project in Hokkaido,⁤ Japan,‍ is ⁣facing ‌increasing​ criticism and calls for cancellation due to concerns over its environmental impact, especially on‍ the local ecosystem and the endangered Japanese crane (Grus⁢ japonensis).On September 29, 2025, prominent architect and critic, Noguchi ​Ken, publicly expressed his⁤ frustration with Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki’s lack of decisive action, questioning why an order to halt the project hadn’t⁤ been issued as ⁤reported ⁤by Hokkaido Shimbun.

The project, spearheaded by hokkaido Electric Power Company, ⁣aims to construct a large-scale solar power plant covering approximately 300 hectares of land within the Kushiro‍ Marshland. ‌Proponents​ argue the⁣ project is crucial for increasing renewable energy production⁤ in Hokkaido and contributing to Japan’s national climate goals. However,opponents contend the scale ⁣of the project poses ‍a significant threat to the delicate balance of the ⁢marsh ecosystem.

Environmental ‌Concerns and the Japanese Crane

the Kushiro Marsh is a vital habitat for the Japanese crane,⁢ a species ⁢that was once on the ‍brink of extinction. Conservation ​efforts have successfully increased the crane population, but the species remains vulnerable.Critics ⁣argue that the construction and operation​ of the mega-solar project will disrupt the​ cranes’ feeding grounds, breeding areas, and migratory‍ routes. Specifically, the removal of vegetation and alteration of the landscape could reduce the availability of food ‌sources for the cranes, such as ‍snails and insects.

Beyond the ⁤cranes, the project raises concerns about the‍ impact on other‍ wildlife‍ inhabiting the marsh, including various bird species, mammals, and amphibians.The alteration of water flow patterns⁢ and the introduction of artificial structures could also negatively affect the marsh’s unique wetland ecosystem.

Timeline of events