Key Facts
The city of Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture announced on May 9 that it had terminated its lease agreement with Success Tourism, the operator of the North Safari Sapporo zoo in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The agreement pertained to the premises of the Fujikachoen theme park, which is currently closed. The site had been considered a potential relocation destination for animals from North Safari Sapporo, which is set to cease operations by the end of September.
According to Fujinomiya city officials, the lease termination was effective as of April 25. After the previous operator of Fujikachoen was declared bankrupt in January, Success Tourism acquired management rights and entered into a lease agreement with the city. However, multiple legal violations by North Safari Sapporo, including unauthorized development in urban planning zones, came to light. Success Tourism subsequently proposed using the Fujikachoen site for housing animals, but the city rejected the idea, citing concerns about accommodating large animals. In mid-March, Success Tourism expressed its intention to terminate the lease.
During a press conference, Fujinomiya Mayor Hidetada Sudo stated, “Accepting lions and other large animals was not feasible, and I believe this outcome is for the best.”
Meanwhile, a separate investigation conducted by the city of Sapporo on April 23 revealed that approximately 40% of the 640 animals housed at North Safari Sapporo, including lions and tigers, had already been relocated to other facilities.
For further details, visit the original article: “Japan’s Most Dangerous Zoo” Relocation Plans Canceled as Fujinomiya Terminates Lease.
Summary
The city of Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture announced on May 9 that it had terminated its lease agreement with Success Tourism, the operator of North Safari Sapporo zoo in Hokkaido. The lease, effective as of April 25, involved the premises of the closed Fujikachoen theme park, which had been considered as a potential relocation site for animals from North Safari Sapporo, set to close by the end of September.
The decision followed multiple legal violations by North Safari Sapporo, including unauthorized development in urban planning zones. Success Tourism had proposed using the Fujikachoen site to house animals, but the city rejected the plan, citing concerns about accommodating large animals. Success Tourism later expressed its intention to terminate the lease in mid-March.
Fujinomiya Mayor Hidetada Sudo stated during a press conference, “Accepting lions and other large animals was not feasible, and I believe this outcome is for the best.”
Separately, a city investigation in Sapporo on April 23 revealed that approximately 40% of the 640 animals at North Safari Sapporo, including lions and tigers, had already been relocated to other facilities.
For more details, visit the original article: “Japan’s Most Dangerous Zoo” Relocation Plans Canceled as Fujinomiya Terminates Lease.
