Controversial Mega Solar Farm Construction Threatens Japan's Kushiro Wetlands, a Ramsar Site
In Hokkaido's Kushiro Wetlands, a precious natural heritage of Japan and a registered Ramsar Convention site, the forceful construction of a large-scale mega solar farm by Osaka-based company Nihon Ecology is causing serious environmental destruction concerns. The construction site is located right next to the Kushiro Shitsugen National Wildlife Center. The ongoing forceful construction has drawn widespread criticism and concern on social media. In particular, a family of endangered red-crowned cranes with chicks has been spotted near the construction site, raising serious fears about the impact on the habitat of these rare wildlife species. Concerns have also been raised about the impact on white-tailed eagle nesting. Many people are heartbroken by the reality that the wetland ecosystem, cultivated over thousands of years, is on the verge of being destroyed for commercial gain. On social media, angry voices are rampant, with comments like "Mega solar construction in Kushiro W...