Regarding the settlement of the lawsuit concerning the water source protection area (Announcement of press conference and information session for town residents)
Important Notice
A settlement has been reached at the Sapporo High Court in the appeal case regarding the transfer of ownership registration procedure in which Niseko Town (Mayor: Kento Tanaka) was a party.
This settlement confirms that the land in question is owned by Niseko Town, and the town will pay the other party 1.5 million yen as a settlement payment. This case has attracted considerable attention, with approximately 220,000 signatures collected from across the country. Therefore, we will hold a press conference and a briefing session for town residents as described below to explain the circumstances leading to the settlement, the reasons for the decision, and future efforts to protect water sources.
[Summary of the incident]
This case involves Niseko Town acquiring land (a water source protection area) in 2013 based on a legitimate sales contract. The previous owner (18 years ago, four generations ago) demanded the return of ownership, claiming that a third party had sold the land without permission. The case has been contested in court.
[Court proceedings]
January 7, 2013 (Heisei 25): Niseko Town acquired the land.
・March 16, 2023 (2023): The plaintiff (appellee) filed a lawsuit against Niseko Town
September 12, 2024 (Reiwa 6): Niseko Town loses the case in the first instance.
・September 26, 2024: Niseko Town files an appeal in the second instance
・2025年（令和7年） 4月24日：第2審 弁論終結・和解協議開始
・2025年（令和7年）12月22日：第2審 和解協議をしていたが弁論再開決定
・2026年（令和8年） 7月6日：第2審 和解成立
[Background of the report]
In light of the numerous signatures we have received from not only town residents but also people across the country supporting the "Petition to Protect Niseko Town Water Source," we will report on the progress of this incident at a press conference for the media and at an explanatory meeting for town residents within the town.
[Date, time, and location]
(Press conference for the media)
Monday, July 13, 2026, 1:30 PM - @ Hokkaido Judicial Press Club (Sapporo 3rd Joint Government Building)
*This press conference is for journalists only.
(Information session for town residents)
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:00 PM - @Niseko Niseko Town Hall Multipurpose Hall (inside Niseko Town Hall)
*There is a possibility that the video will be streamed at a later date.
**Contact Information**
Niseko Town General Affairs Division (Contact Person: Jun Sasaki)
TEL: 0136-56-8834 FAX: 0136-44-3500
This settlement confirms that the land in question is owned by Niseko Town, and the town will pay the other party 1.5 million yen as a settlement payment. This case has attracted considerable attention, with approximately 220,000 signatures collected from across the country. Therefore, we will hold a press conference and a briefing session for town residents as described below to explain the circumstances leading to the settlement, the reasons for the decision, and future efforts to protect water sources.
[Summary of the incident]
This case involves Niseko Town acquiring land (a water source protection area) in 2013 based on a legitimate sales contract. The previous owner (18 years ago, four generations ago) demanded the return of ownership, claiming that a third party had sold the land without permission. The case has been contested in court.
[Court proceedings]
January 7, 2013 (Heisei 25): Niseko Town acquired the land.
・March 16, 2023 (2023): The plaintiff (appellee) filed a lawsuit against Niseko Town
September 12, 2024 (Reiwa 6): Niseko Town loses the case in the first instance.
・September 26, 2024: Niseko Town files an appeal in the second instance
・2025年（令和7年） 4月24日：第2審 弁論終結・和解協議開始
・2025年（令和7年）12月22日：第2審 和解協議をしていたが弁論再開決定
・2026年（令和8年） 7月6日：第2審 和解成立
[Background of the report]
In light of the numerous signatures we have received from not only town residents but also people across the country supporting the "Petition to Protect Niseko Town Water Source," we will report on the progress of this incident at a press conference for the media and at an explanatory meeting for town residents within the town.
[Date, time, and location]
(Press conference for the media)
Monday, July 13, 2026, 1:30 PM - @ Hokkaido Judicial Press Club (Sapporo 3rd Joint Government Building)
*This press conference is for journalists only.
(Information session for town residents)
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:00 PM - @Niseko Niseko Town Hall Multipurpose Hall (inside Niseko Town Hall)
*There is a possibility that the video will be streamed at a later date.
**Contact Information**
Niseko Town General Affairs Division (Contact Person: Jun Sasaki)
TEL: 0136-56-8834 FAX: 0136-44-3500
- Overview material(PDF形式：108KB)
Inquiries
- General Affairs Division
- TEL:0136-56-8834
- FAX:0136-44-3500