An Oriental Stork that made its home on an electricity pole caused a lot of trouble, but no one really minded.
With climate change and human interference threatening animal habitats and ecosystems all over the world, many people are starting to make eco-friendly changes in their lives in an effort to help preserve them. Although Japan is somewhat notorious for its unnecessary overuse of plastic, as well as its dirty beaches, the people and government put a lot of effort into preserving the beauty of the natural environments here, such as designing farms in a way to preserve biodiversity.
A recent incident with an Oriental Stork that built its nest in an inconvenient place is another example of Japan’s regard for nature. The Oriental Stork is a bird that used to be found all across Japan, China, Korea, and Russia, but is now endangered due to the use of pesticides in the rice farming industry.
So when Hokuriku Electric Power Company found that one had built a dangerous nest on top of an electrical pole–where wires meet and the risk of electrocution is high–they had to take quick action.
But it’s generally not advised to move a nest, especially if there is a bird sitting on it, as there was on this nest. So what did Hokuriku Electric do? Why, completely reroute the electricity in that area, of course.
コウノトリが北陸電力の電柱上に営巣を行いました。地元の皆さまからの要望もあり、停電防止及びコウノトリの感電防止のため配電系統の変更工事を実施しました。ヒナの誕生を期待し、今後も見守り対応を継続します。 pic.twitter.com/mpJi14xNcL
— 北陸電力株式会社 (@rikudenOfficial) May 10, 2019
Apparently people in the local area wanted to protect the birds from getting electrocuted, and the company wanted to avoid the possibility of blackouts to that area, so to solve this precarious problem, they completely changed the system of distribution for the electricity. All for the sake of an endangered bird!
Japanese Twitter users were impressed with the move, and the thread under the company’s tweet was full of praise for the decision.
“What a nice world.”
“To the local people and the power company, thank you!”
“Such a handsome bird!”
“I hope they have lovely little chicks.”
“I applaud your excellent decision!”
Hokuriku Electric is also not the only company to be kind to wild birds; Keio Railways also made life easier for Japanese swallows recently, and the Japanese police have been known to help ducks cross the road. Now that’s the kind of news we like to hear!
Source, featured image: Twitter/@rikudenOfficial
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]

Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
Starbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss