Utility Pole Removal Day

What Is Utility Pole Removal Day?

November 10th is "Utility Pole Removal Day" (Mudenchūka no Hi) in Japan. It was set by the Act on the Promotion of Utility Pole Removal, passed in December 2016, to deepen public understanding of and interest in removing utility poles. The date expresses the idea of likening "1"s to a row of utility poles and turning them into "0."

A Day Set by Law

Utility pole removal means taking poles and overhead wires off the roads, for example by burying the cables underground. A notable feature of this day is that it was established by law rather than by a company or organization.

• Legal basis: the Act on the Promotion of Utility Pole Removal (passed December 2016)
• Why this date: the "11" is likened to a row of poles, which becomes "0"
• Purpose: to deepen public understanding of and interest in utility pole removal
• Role of government: national and local governments are to strive to hold events suited to the day

Three Reasons for Removing Utility Poles

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism promotes pole removal from three angles: disaster prevention, safety and comfort, and landscape and tourism. When poles fall in earthquakes or typhoons, they can block roads and hinder evacuation and rescue. Without poles, sidewalks become wider and easier to use with strollers and wheelchairs. Streets without overhead wires also offer clearer views and improve the scenery of tourist areas. Around this day each year, national and local governments hold events about pole removal.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Compare streets with and without utility poles on your commute or in your neighborhood
• Look up your local government's plans for removing utility poles
• Think about your evacuation route in case poles fall during a disaster
• Look at photos of pole-free tourist areas and notice the difference in scenery

A Wider Sky Offers Hints for Better Towns

Poles and wires are part of the everyday scenery, but a town looks very different without them. On November 10th, glance up at the sky and think about what our towns could become.