Japan’s seawall dilemma

After the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Japan increased the construction of seawalls to protect coastal communities. Today, nearly 50% of Japan’s coastline is lined with concrete barriers. But Katoku Beach—home to ancient ecosystems and a nesting place for sea turtles— is the only beach without a sea wall in the country. But the government has already started felling trees for its construction, leaving the local community divided. Some believe a seawall is necessary to prevent erosion and future disasters, while others argue that natural barriers like sand dunes and Pandanus trees have already proven effective. Can nature protect better than concrete?