The land ministry announced Tuesday that it will soon seek to expropriate fishing rights and the necessary land to proceed with a controversial 35-year-old dam project along the Kawabe River in Kumamoto Prefecture, overriding opposition from local fishermen and environmentalists.
The ministry will apply with the Kumamoto Prefectural Expropriation Committee by Dec. 25, said officials of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.
The committee will then meet with locals, who are divided into two camps: those pushing for the project -- including fishermen hoping for compensation -- and those calling for protection of the natural environment.