Lake Shinji in Matsue Prefecture is known as one of the beautiful site of Japan.
In addition, it preduces many sorts of characteristic marine products, like eels and corbiculae, because of being a half-saltwater lake.

But the site and environment faced to its end NOW. Because land reclamation is being planned at Nakaumi, a sea linked to Lake Shinji by Ôhashi River.
The plan began in order to get land and water for agriculture. But today there is no shortage of them, what is more, there is much land for agriculture existing and in dormacy.
So the plan has already lost its worth and necessity. But it is not stopped even now because of the beaurocratic system of the government.
And what is still worse, the reclemation will thin and pollute the water of Lake Shinji. This change of its environment will make many creatures in it die out.

Though it is by no means a thing on literature, I cannot help myself think how Hearn would get angry if he knew such a thing.
I am not an expert on such a matter, not even a resident there. So I just introduce some sites related to that problem as follows.

Presented by the President of the People's Council for saving Beautiful Nakaumi.

A treatise on that problem written by a professor of Shimane University.

Presented by another professor of Shimane University.