The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) (Chairman: Toshiyuki TSUCHIYA) submitted an opinion paper on December 10, 2024, calling for the cancellation or fundamental revision of the proposed Reihoku-Kami Wind Farm Project (Operator: GF Co., Ltd., maximum capacity: 154,800 kW, up to 36 turbines) in Kami City and Ōtoyo Town, Kochi Prefecture, from the perspective of nature conservation and biodiversity protection.

According to NACS-J’s independent Environmental Impact Index*, this project ranks as the most environmentally harmful among the 12 wind power projects currently planned in Shikoku. Given the potential significant negative impact on the natural environment, the project should be canceled or undergo a fundamental reassessment of its proposed area.

Full text of the submitted opinion paper (Redirects to NACS-J document archive).

Key Points of the Opinion Paper

1.Natural forests and grasslands in the northeastern area of the proposed site should be excluded

The northeastern area of the planned site contains rare beech forests, which are among the few remaining in Kochi Prefecture and have been designated as a specific plant community by the Ministry of the Environment.

Additionally, this area is adjacent to the habitat of the critically endangered Shikoku population of the Asiatic black bear, with only around 20 individuals remaining. Given its importance for biodiversity conservation at a national level, this region must be excluded from the planned project area.

2.Almost entire planned site is designated as a Protection Forest

Nearly the entire planned site is designated as a protection forest, covering both state-owned and private forests. Additionally, parts of the site fall within the Class III Special Zone and Ordinary Zone of Oku-Monobe Prefectural Natural Park, as well as the Ordinary Zone of Kajigamori Prefectural Natural Park.
According to Kochi Prefecture’s “Environmental Consideration Standards for Setting Renewable Energy Promotion Areas,” prefectural natural parks and protection forests are considered unsuitable for renewable energy projects, making the planned site inappropriate for wind power development.

Notably, some areas designated for wind turbine installation are classified as protection forests for soil run-off prevention and are geologically prone to landslides, with frequent occurrences of landslides in concentrated areas. Large-scale land-use modifications and installing 150-meter-high wind turbines in such an area could increase the risk of landslides, soil erosion, and river ecosystem degradation.
Given these factors, the project’s feasibility must be carefully reconsidered with due attention to environmental risks.

3.Planned site located near migration route of the endangered Grey-faced Buzzard

Between 2020 and 2024, 2,000 to 6,000 Grey-faced Buzzards were observed migrating near the planned project site. This species is classified as Vulnerable (Category II) on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List and plays a crucial ecological role as a migratory bird of prey across various ecosystems. If wind turbines cause fatal collisions with Grey-faced Buzzards, the impact will extend beyond the project site, affecting broader ecosystems, including those overseas. Given these risks, the project should be canceled or, at the very least, strict operational restrictions should be enforced during the migration period, including temporary shutdowns of the turbines.

Reference

About the Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J)

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) is one of the oldest nature conservation organizations in Japan, dedicated to protecting nature and biodiversity.
NACS-J’s activities began with the conservation of Oze’s natural environment during a dam construction project and later contributed to the World Natural Heritage registrations of Yakushima, Ogasawara, and Shirakami-Sanchi.
Today, the organization continues to protect vulnerable natural environments across Japan with the mission, “Harnessing the Power of Nature for a Brighter Future.”
NACS-J envisions a society where people and nature coexist harmoniously, enabling people of all generations, from infants to the elderly, to live happily surrounded by nature.
The organization conducts nationwide surveys, conservation projects, and other initiatives to make use of natural resources, spanning from mountains to the ocean.
http://www.nacsj.or.jp/