What is the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties?

This law seeks to contribute to the preservation and practical application of cultural properties and be the advancement of the nation’s culture,
as well as the betterment of global culture.

Cultural properties are as follows:
•Structures
•Pictures and paintings
•Carvings, engravings, and sculptures
•Handicraft
•Writings
•Books
•And anything anything tangible object corresponding with cultural items.

In the event that there is stone tools or earthenware discovered within the chosen plot of land,
the stipulation is: “The general populations, federal and local governments must collaborate in order for the goal of this law to be successful.”

This means that if at the time you are constructing your solar power plant, the moment you discover cultural property,
those relics must be treated as buried treasure and submitted to the local educational committee in that jurisdiction.
At the same time, you have to deliver a “Relic Discovery” to the Agency of Cultural Affairs.

At that time, construction suspension is imminent.
Otherwise, you could receive a fine for damaging cultural property,
and this could potentially result in up to 5 years penal labor and up to 30,000 yen in fines.

The laws for the construction of solar and PV power plants may have been introduced intermittently but, up to know has just been the tip of the iceberg.

There are other laws in relation to the land that exist, such as:
•National Park Laws
•Land Zoning Laws
•Soil Contamination Countermeasure Laws

The next article will begin to introduce the aforementioned laws.