Japanese/Nat An environmental row is building in Japan over development of the mountains at the Nagano resort in preparation for the 1998 Winter Olympics. Environmentalists say the city and surrounding villages are losing their charm and that wildlife is being destroyed. When the organisers of the 1998 Winter Olympics look at the snow-covered mountains around the slopes of Nagano they may imagine the world's best skiers coming down the slopes and hear the cheers of thousands of fans. But a storm is brewing over environmental concerns raised by the development of the mountains. The International Ski Federation (FIS) wants the start point of the games' key event - the men's downhill - placed further up the mountain, from one-thousand-600 to one-thousand-800 metres. FIS has threatened to move the Olympic competition to Europe or the United States unless changes are made. But local conservationists argue that moving the start point would have disastrous consequences for the environment. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) I an now in Chubu Sangaku National Park and this particular place where I am standing now is classified as a First-Class Special Area where any kind of development is prohibited in order to conserve nature. This is the point where FIS has suggested to set the start of men's downhill. SUPER CAPTION: Washin Machida, President of Nagano Nature Conservation Union The Nagano Olympic Organising Committee is siding with Machida, who heads the 20-thousand-member Nature Conservation Union of Nagano. The union is trying to block any course changes. 90 minutes' drive from the downhill run, (m) millions of US dollars have been spent by the Organising Committee to try to preserve the ecosystem surrounding the Bobsleigh-Luge venue. Construction resulted in the decimation of thousands of trees. The Organising Committee has had to replant tens of thousands of trees and shrubs to protect flora and fauna in the area. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) We have been making maximum efforts to co-exist with nature. We have been constructing, taking specialists' advice into consideration. SUPER CAPTION: Fumio Watanabe, Deputy Director General of the Organising Committee for Nagano Olympics Despite the environmental concerns raised, residents of the ski resort remain enthusiastic about hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) If we stick to the environmental issue too much, nothing will be started. We should warmly welcome the Olympics. SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) In the end, the Olympics will help the industrialisation of Nagano. So, I strongly support the Olympics. SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP Because of Nagano's relative proximity to Tokyo and other major cities, many of its forests have already been felled for ski or golf resorts. This trend caused considerable concern - even before Nagano won its Olympic bid in 1991. Machida begrudgingly commends the organisers' concern for nature - or at least for a nature-friendly image - but he claims they are not doing enough. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Looking at the trace of development starting from the bottom of the mountains to the summits, my heart really aches. I feel that the mountains are crying. SUPER CAPTION: Washin Machida, President of Nagano Nature Conservation Union Many residents are more interested in the income the forthcoming games will generate rather than the current environmental arguments. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/fdb6253270c84ffeeea34afd2d483eff Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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