Haruki Murakami recently spoke with Kyodo News about his latest novel and various other things.
I read that interview article this morning.
Murakami speaks about the importance of nature and the controversial redevelopment of Meiji Jingu Gaien.
As you know, this area is scheduled for redevelopment.
Many people are concerned about the felling of hundreds of nearby trees.
Murakami says ,
It's inevitable that cities rapidly transform.
But some areas should be left alone, because they are kind of spiritual areas.
The Meiji Jingu Gaien area is also like that.
Murakami points out New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park are similar areas.
Unfortunately, as a Japanese person, I don't really understand that.
Anyway he insists we should reject the capitalist argument, and keep it exactly as is.
A group has filed a lawsuit against the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to halt the project.
Another group has filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court on Tuesday demanding that Shinjuku cancel the permit.
This redevelopment is opposed by many cultural figures and artists.
How will the Tokyo governor , Koike Yuriko ,respond to this issue?
I guess,
If more and more celebrities object to this plan, the Governor will likely change it.
Because Koike is the ultimate populist politician.
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