Japan - Country Profile

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Japan has 67% of the land covered with forest. The length of natural coast is approximately 18,100km, with 51,500ha of tidal flats, 201,200ha of Moba (seaweed/seagrass beds) and about 34,700ha of coral reefs. These are especially important coastal ecosystems in the context of biodiversity conservation. At least 90,000 species inhabit Japan and its ocean areas... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

In accordance with the Natural Parks Law, as of December 2006, 28 National Parks, 55 Quasi-National Parks, and 309 Prefectural Natural Parks, covering 5.37million ha (14.2%) of Japan's total land, have been designated to protect areas of natural scenic beauty (as of December 2006). In accordance with the Nature Conservation Law, 5 Wilderness Areas, 10 Nature Conservation Areas and 536 Prefectural Nature Conservation Areas, covering 0... More »

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The main goals of the “New Biodiversity Strategy” of Japan are to prevent species extinction and to promote conservation and restoration of nature throughout the country. These goals include mountains, cities and ocean areas, and plan to devote 50 to 100 years to building up a verdant national land area in which all citizens can enjoy daily interaction with a wide variety of thriving life forms... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Regarding marine and coastal areas, Japan has been working to restore about 2,100 ha of lost marsh and tideland by 2007. Several protected area systems and related laws exist, such as the Nature Conservation Law, the Natural Parks Law, the Wildlife Protection and Appropriate Hunting Law, and the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The Forest Tree Breeding Strategy, which was established in 2001, and plans related to National and Quasi-National Parks will be revised by 2007, and regularly revised thereafter. In National Forest, “Protected Forests” such as Forest Ecosystem Reserves, and Tree Genetic Resources Preservation Forests are established and managed for the purpose of contributing to preserve primitive forest ecosystems, animals and plant species, and genetic resources, as well as to develop techniques for forest management... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

The Government of Japan believes that providers and users need to build win-win relationships. Providers should be encouraged to create an environment allowing for smooth access to genetic resources, while users should be encouraged to sufficiently understand the principles of access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Dr. Atsushi Suginaka	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Takahiro Wakabayashi	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Eiji Hatano	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Daiji Kawaguchi	CHM NFP
Ms. Makiko Yanagiya	GSPC NFP
Ministry of International Trade and Industry	ABS Competent National Authorities
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	ABS Competent National Authorities
Mr Jun Makabe	ABS Competent National Authorities
Mr. Yoshito Asano	ABS Competent National Authorities
Ms. Kaori Tsujita	ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Keiichi Nakazawa	ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Yamato Tanaka	CHM NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Hiroyuki Tanaka	ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Keisuke Takahashi	Protected Areas NFP
Mr. Wataru Suzuki	GTI NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. Hiroyuki Tanaka	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Mr. Tatsuro Sekine	BCH NFP