More than 80 percent of the people in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, who voted in Sunday's referendum on whether to build a massive park voted against the project.
A total of 63,482 people voted "no" on the ¥30.5 billion park, which was to include 11 sports facilities. Only 15,101 people voted in favor. Turnout was 47.3 percent.
While the referendum is not legally binding, a city ordinance stipulates that the mayor and the municipal assembly must respect the results.