Amami Oshima Golf Course Development Issue - October 1996

Amami Oshima Golf Course Development Issue - October 1996

In the northern part of Amami Oshima, a 36-hole resort golf course development was planned on approximately 130 hectares of land. However, the planned development area overlapped with the primary habitat of the Amami rabbit, a special natural monument with an estimated population of 500 to 1000. This sparked strong opposition from residents and environmental conservation groups. Concerns arose about forest logging and soil runoff, prompting a provisional injunction for the suspension of development at the Kagoshima District Court.

The project was budgeted at approximately 50 billion yen, aiming to attract about 120,000 tourists annually. The development company promised to create over 150 jobs to stimulate the local economy. However, over 50 hectares of forest were slated for logging, raising serious ecological concerns. In particular, the loss of forest cover could cause soil erosion during rainfall, contaminating downstream agricultural water supplies.

Opponents argued that environmental conservation should take precedence over tourism revenue. Meanwhile, some residents of Sumiyo Village expressed hopes for economic development through the construction of the tourism facility, leading to divided opinions within the community.

Ultimately, the development company proposed reducing the project to 18 holes. Additionally, they suggested establishing a fund of 10 million yen annually to support local environmental conservation activities. Following adjustments based on the prefecture's environmental protection ordinances, the project was temporarily halted for a reassessment of the environmental impact. This issue highlights the critical challenge of balancing tourism development with natural conservation in Japan.