Overview
- City officials say Japan Ecology began work in December at seven of 14 planned sites while surveys for the endangered northern Japanese salamander were still incomplete.
- Mayor Hidenori Tsukuma called the move extremely regretful and said the city would provide information to investigative authorities if any legal violations are found.
- Kushiro’s new ordinance applies only to projects begun from January, and the city considers year‑end tree felling to constitute a project start outside the rule’s scope.
- The city formally requested a work suspension until approval is granted and instructed the developer to seek permission under the ordinance.
- Residents reported unexplained cutting that included a known white‑tailed sea eagle perch, as the national government adopts stronger megasolar oversight and considers ending FIT support for new projects from fiscal 2027.