In a deeply unsettling discovery, street trees outside Big Motor’s used car dealerships in Kasuga and Ogōri cities in Fukuoka Prefecture have been found to be withering. The Prefectural government acted swiftly, conducting a soil investigation in late July that unveiled the presence of “glyphosate,” an ingredient found in herbicides. At the Kasuga branch, Big Motor acknowledged the application of the herbicide, causing concern and leading the Prefecture to consider filing a damage report with the police on suspicion of property damage. As for the Ogōri branch, further urgent investigation is underway to determine the cause and devise a plan for future action. Governor Hattori’s voice was tinged with outrage during a press conference on the 22nd, stating, “If the street trees, which are the very symbol of our community and the property of the citizens, are being intentionally killed, it is not only deplorable but a violation of trust.” He went on to mention the importance of sharing information with other road managers like the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the city of Kitakyushu, all while carefully considering the submission of the damage report. Source: NHK
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