240,000$ back rent for Tokyo anti-nukes

February 26, 2015

Anti-nuke group ordered to pay for occupation

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html

Feb. 26, 2015 - Updated 13:35 UTC+1

A court has ordered a group of anti-nuclear activists to remove their tents from the premises of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and to pay for using the site.

Six months after the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, the group set up tents at a corner of the ministry's premises in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo. The ministry oversees the country's nuclear power industry.

The group has used the tents as a base for their anti-nuclear campaigns, with its members staying there around the clock.

The government filed a suit with the Tokyo District Court, demanding that leaders of the group remove the tents, which they said are illegally occupying state-owned property.

The government also demanded that the leaders pay more than 20,000 yen, or about 177 dollars, a day for the period from the day the tents were pitched until their removal is complete. The amount is estimated to be 28.9 million yen, or about 240,000 dollars, at present.

Handing down Thursday's ruling at the Tokyo District Court, presiding judge Masatoshi Murakami said the tents have blocked information boards of the ministry, causing inconvenience to visitors. The judge also pointed to a fire that partially burned the tents and said they have given rise to a security risk.

The judge approved almost all of the government's demands, ordering the group to remove the tents and pay for the use of land.

The ministry welcomed the ruling, and expressed hope that the activists will vacate the site as soon as possible.

Taro Fuchikami, who heads the group, told a gathering of supporters that the tents have served as a symbol of Japan's anti-nuclear movements since they were set up 3 and half years ago.

He said the ruling was expected, but disappointing.