Stop Destroying the Grass Field at Nara Palace immediately
Save Nara Palace Organization

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国交省が埋立て工事を開始した、平城宮跡中心部の草原・湿原。東京ドーム1つ分の面積（2012年9月27日撮影）

国交省が発表した、平城宮跡中心部の埋立て・舗装工事イメージ図。発表直後の9月25日に突然着工された。

To The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan
To The Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan

Stop Destroying the Grass Field at Nara Palace immediately

The construction in the center of Nara Palace suddenly started on September 25th 2012.
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan conducts the work in the national park as the “Maintenance of the square at The First Chodo-in”.

The first press release was on September 20th and the first newspaper report was on September 24th, then the construction began on September 25th.
It was a hasty start of construction without convincing explanation to the people.

The construction plan is to landfill the grass field and the wetland and to fill the square with soil-cement. The area is 45,000 square meters, the same size as Tokyo Dome.

It is clear that the natural vegetation and wildlife in this area, extending 210km from east to west by 260km from north to south, will be totally destroyed and the eco-system will be inevitably disturbed.

The greatest concern is the damage to our archaeological heritage caused by drained underground water.
There is a risk of oxidization and decay to the buried cultural artifacts, such as ancient wooden strips, which have been preserved for 1,300 years by underground water.
If our precious heritage is lost in the name of “park improvement”, we will be castigated by the world and the people of the future.

Surprisingly, it is found that Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan did not examine the influence of the construction work on underground water.
Moreover, Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan did not report this matter to UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
If this goes on, Nara Palace could be disqualified as World Heritage.

We strongly protest against this construction plan and call for immediate cessation of the work.
We also demand to consider a good park plan by gathering a wide range of opinions from experts and residents.

We should be conscious of the fact that Nara Palace is not only a treasure of Nara and Japan, but also is a valuable cultural heritage for all present and future generations in the world.
Up until now, and in the future, this has been a place of relief for people and a home for flora and fauna.

Landfill work starts on November 10th 2012 and soil-cement paving will be completed in March 2013.

Our much-loved green grass field needs to be protected, urgently.

We require prompt action on the matter.

October 3th 2012

Save Nara Palace Organization

Stop Destroying the Grass Field at Nara Palace immediately

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Send your signed petition :
Narapress 1-1-103 Nakatsuji-cho, Nara-shi, JAPAN
post code 630-8315

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Save Nara Palace Organization

President : RYO Michico
Vice-President : KOI Shuichi

Head office : Narapress 1-1-103 Nakatsuji-cho, Nara-shi, JAPAN
info@narapress.jp