Stop the Kyoto Aquarium

[dcozy]

• Target: Kyoto City Mayor Kadokawa Daisaku
• Sponsored by: Kyoto Citizens Against the Aquarium

The city government of Kyoto has given the go-ahead to plans for a mammoth aquarium to be built on Umekoji public park. This will be operated by a private company Orix Corporation. Despite strong public protest, construction of the aquarium began on

Comments

[squippo]

My club practices at Umekoji park 4 times a week, and this aquarium is so hella unnecessary. Osaka has one, so people can just go there if they need an aquarium fix, seriously. :( I hope the project does get stopped, that park is one of the only really huge green areas in Kyoto, and it's really popular.

[ninja_setsuna]

I signed, but if construction has already begun (two months underway,) then they are probably about 15-20% into it and most likely won't stop....

Aside from that, a petition in English is more than likely not to get any reaction unfortunately. Are there any Japanese campaigning too?

[lordameth]

I doubt that the project can be stopped, especially if they've already started construction. Alex Kerr talks in his books (esp. Dogs and Demons) about how the political will for these kinds of projects, no matter how asinine the project, is basically unstoppable. There's just too many interested groups with their hands in the pots, and too strong an idea that this is how to develop the tourist industry of a city and the more modern character of a city.

I added a note in Japanese to my signature on the petition, but I wouldn't be surprised if the website's software doesn't process Japanese correctly.

[aske]

Heh, Dogs and Demons was the first thing that came to mind when I read this post. What a disgusting and nonsensical plan this is.

I'll concede that I somewhat enjoyed the Osaka Aquarium, but absolutely refuse to visit any other "attraction" in Japan that features animals in confinement. Too depressing.

[aske]

Well, granted, at least there's a little more space in Hokkaido. :) Is this a zoo near Sapporo, or...?

[ruwell_marianne]

If I visit Kyoto I'm in search of the old, traditional Japan. Why would anyone go to Kyoto in search for an Aquarium? The only water amusement I'd be looking for in Kyoto would be the still comparably abundant sento, but there are no plans underway to save them, as far as I'm aware!
This is just incredibly stupid!

[dcozy]

I share everyone's skepticism about how effective the petition will be, but it's worth a try, no?

And yes, a Japanese petition would probably have more impact. There is one in the works. Here's a message I received from one of the organizers:

"There is a petition in Japanese but it isn't online yet. ... tried to get it onto the "shomei tv" site yesterday but apparently it could take up to two weeks for it to be ready! I'll keep you posted on that."