The Sapporo municipal government wants the zoo operator, Success-Kanko Corp, to remove buildings allegedly constructed without permission in an area where development of structures for residential or commercial purposes is restricted under planning law.
The Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry said the operator was repeatedly told to remove the signs, but it refused to comply, citing reasons such as “the signs are necessary because the directions to the zoo are difficult to understand".
The building disposition order covers all structures of the North Safari Sapporo zoo and allows authorities to remove buildings not conforming to municipal urban development plans, The Japan News reported.
The zoo, located in a mountainous area 20km southwest of central Sapporo, is called the "most dangerous zoo" in the country as it permits visitors to enter the cages with tigers and feed them.
Success-Kanko Corp has been running the zoo for nearly 20 years and expanding infrastructure, reaching up to 150 buildings, allegedly without a proper permit and in violation of written orders.
