Local residents opposing the expansion of a garbage landfill in Hinode, western Tokyo, left the site Wednesday following a nearly two-day standoff with officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
A group of about 30 people initially continued the protest, claiming Tokyo's attempt to seize the land was illegal, but they left the site by 3:15 p.m.
The procedure to expropriate the land began shortly after 12:30 p.m. when Tsuyoshi Hashimoto, the metropolitan government official in charge of the operation, declared the beginning of procedures. About 120 officials and security guards dismantled fences set up by the protesters and entered the site.