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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. According to the Red List, as of 2006 2,740 species are highly threatened (around 30% of reptile and amphibian species, around 20% of mammal, brackish and freshwater fish, and vascular plant species, and around 10% of bird species). In accordance with “The Law for the conservation of endangered species of wild fauna and flora”, 73 species, including 4 mammals and 39 birds, are designated as "national endangered species of wild fauna and flora".

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 0.1million ha (0.3%) of Japan’s total land area, have been designated to preserve areas that have maintained their pristine characteristics and outstanding natural environment. In accordance with the Wildlife Protection and Proper Hunting Law, as of October 2006, 66 Wildlife Protection Areas have been designated by the national government, and as of March 2006, 3,846 by prefectures, for the protection and propagation of wildlife. Capturing wildlife is prohibited in these areas, which currently total about 3.68million ha. Pursuant to the Law for the conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, as of October 2006, Japan has designated 9 Natural Habitat Conservation Areas totaling 885ha for designated, national endangered species to prevent the extinction of wild fauna and flora. 850 Protected Forests and 22 Green Corridors have been established and managed for　contributing to biodiversity conservation. In accordance with the Living Aquatic Resources Protection Law, as of March 2006, Japan has designated 116 aquatic protected areas for conservation of aquatic animals and plants through the restriction of catch and reclamation.

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. Some actions taken include the analysis of the present socioeconomic and biological conditions of the existing administrative systems for conservation. Some regulations exist in regard to the objectives of the Convention, such as: the Natural Parks Law, the Wildlife Protection and Proper Hunting Law, the Law for the conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Invasive Alien Species Act (2nd NBSAP, 2002). Notably, Japan adopted its 3rd Biodiversity Strategy in 2007.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan on national website (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan on national website (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Outline (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (Japanese)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (Japanese)

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. As to agriculture, Japan has carried out measures required for environmental conservation such as promoting “Environmentally Conscious Agriculture” and integrating environmental consideration into the implementation of the “Improvement of Agricultural Infrastructure and Rural Development Plan”. The Forest Tree Breeding Center is preserving 32,000 forest tree genetic resource samples and will continue to search and collect them by 2010. The country set a target of 100 % implementation of mitigation measures to reduce incidental catches of seabirds by 2015 pursuant to “NPOA-Seabirds”. Goals are set in accordance with regional characteristics, such as the goal to conserve appropriately the biodiversity that is unique to the region.

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. The establishment of "Green Corridors" is used to ensure migratory pathways for species. Related laws include the Wildlife Protection and Proper Hunting Law, the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Nature Conservation Law.

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. Based on this principle, in 2005, Japan developed “Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources for Users in Japan” as a practical guide for Japanese users, based on the Bonn Guidelines. To promote its dissemination we are conducting public seminars and workshops.