Japan - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

Japan, with a small land area of about 38 million hectares, has rich biota. The number of known species in Japan is estimated to be over 90,000, and to exceed 300,000 if unclassified species are included. The country also has a high rate of endemic species, including nearly 40% of land mammals and vascular plants, 60% of reptiles and 80% of amphibians... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The main threats generated by human activities and development include illegal digging, overexploitation of resources for ornamental or commercial uses, destruction or deterioration of habitats due to land reclamation/development in coastal areas, and changes in land use. Recently, the negative effects associated with land use changes have begun to stabilize due to a decrease in reclamation of forested, agricultural and coastal areas for urban uses as compared to the level evidenced during the previous period of high economic growth... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

The National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan (2012-2020) was adopted by Cabinet in September 2012, following two major events: the adoption at COP-10 in Nagoya of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011-2020), including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in March 2011 that made us think anew about the relationship between human beings and nature... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Japan hosted COP-10 in Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture) in 2010. Notable progress has been made towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The Japanese Government has established significant ecological networks, both at the national and regional levels, through the expansion of protected areas and the creation of green corridors linking protected forests... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

To support national implementation of biodiversity policy, Japan has developed a wide range of economic measures to promote the voluntary efforts of diverse parties in the field of biodiversity, including subsidies and grants-in-aid provided by the national government, tax incentives, fundraising via various foundations, goodwill fundraising or financial contributions by civic groups or businesses, and forest environment taxes to be collected by local governments... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

In recent years, Japan has completed a significant number of large-scale surveys on natural resources and biodiversity. The Government will continue to carry out the National Survey on the Natural Environment (conducted since 1973) to monitor current biodiversity conditions in land areas and the status of changes, while trying to improve the promptness of data provision... More »