Statue of Liberty replica removed for ruining view in Hakodate

[Pavel123]

Statue of Liberty replica removed for ruining view in Hakodate

Saturday 21st August, 03:00 PM JST

HAKODATE —

An about six-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty in Hakodate, Hokkaido, a popular tourist destination known for its historical sites, has recently been removed at the request of the city government, which found the statue damaged the cityscape. The statue, which was set up in front of a store run by a local seafood firm in Hakodate's Motomachi district in early June, was lifted by crane Thursday to the rooftop of the building and placed under a cover as spectators looked on.

Yoichi Kitamura, president of the seafood firm, who agreed to the statue's removal, said he had purchased the replica in an Internet auction because he thought it would become a landmark after he opened a new karaoke lounge in the building.

The district, home to several historic monuments including an Orthodox church, is designated a historic townscape preservation area by the city, and local residents had complained about the statue seeking its removal.

Link: http://japantoday.com/category/nati...-replica-removed-for-ruining-view-in-hakodate

How can a statue damaga a view? WOW! And not just any statute, but the Statue of Liberty... Damn... :?

 

[Nuala]

Link: http://japantoday.com/category/nati...-replica-removed-for-ruining-view-in-hakodate
How can a statue damaga a view? WOW! And not just any statute, but the Statue of Liberty... Damn... :?

What do the Japanese have against the French? I think they're an absolutely charming people.

 

[EmperorHirohito]

I have to ask this, how would the French react if some frustated residents asked for the Eiffel tower to be moved, just because it was blocking their view?

 

[undrentide]

It has nothing to do with the statue's value.
The street where the statue was put is a reserved area with historical buildings, and the souvenir shop selling seafood put it up without any approval by the local authority.

Photos from the area
函館の近代建築群 防災への願い: 日本全国建物音頭
The photos of the shop and statue
函館「自由の女神」像 | 地産地消の地域経済論

It is nothing against the "statue of liberty" itself, just a big replica which does not match the atmosphere of the area that the local people care a lot.

 

[EmperorHirohito]

If there was no approval for the statue in the first place, then that makes it different. And yes it does seem very out of character compared to the other buildings shown in the photographs in the link, which look very nice to me. Thank You for your information.

 

[Money4japan]

I do agree it looks quite out of place xD