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Building a Better Relationship Between Humans and Nature

Nature Conservation Bureau

Policy Measures of the Nature Conservation Bureau
 The Nature Conservation Bureau's aim is to achieve a harmonious coexistence of human
beings and nature. The bureau carries out measures to promote conservation of biodiversity and closer human contact with the natural environment.

Conservation of Biodiversity
Based on the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Japanese government formulated "The National Strategy of Japan on Biological Diversity" in October 1995. This strategy outlines the basic policies and measures that Japan is applying to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable use of its components. Based on this national strategy, a range of comprehensive measures have been taken to conserve biodiversity. Research, investigation, and information management relating to biodiversity are conducted at the Biodiversity Center of Japan in Yamanashi Prefecture. The information acquired by the center, such as research results, is made freely available to the public via the Internet.

National Survey on the Natural Environment ( Green Census)
To comprehensively assess the current state and change of the natural environment in Japan, i.e. vegetation, rivers, Iakes and coastal areas, as well as the general state of biodiversity, the Environment Agency conducts the National Survey on the Natural Environment (Green Census). The results of the survey have been used widely in the development of nature conservation policies and in environmental impact assessments.

Nature Conservation Areas
Primeval areas that have had little or no human interference, as well as areas where the natural environment remains unspoiled, have been designated as Wilderness Areas (5 areas), Nature Conservation Areas (10 areas), or Prefectural Nature Conservation Areas (523 areas) to preserve our most precious natural environments.

Natural Parks
Many of Japanese natural scenic areas and their ecosystems have been designated as National Parks (28), Quasi-National Parks (55) and Prefectural Natural Parks (306). These parks are managed to conserve scenic areas and their ecosystems as well as their utilization for outdoor recreation. Of these parks, the most outstanding natural environments are designated as National Parks. The Environment Agency appoints officials called "park rangers" at each of these National Parks to supervise activities there. The park rangers regulate development activities and extend guidance, provide nature interpretation to visitors, and organize cleanup activities with the cooperation of volunteers. The park rangers play a role in management of parks and in promoting awareness and education about nature conservation.

Protection and Management of Wildlife
Based on the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Nature Conservation Bureau promotes systematic policies for protection of endangered species. For example, the bureau regulates capture, damage and the trade of endangered species, and works to protect their natural habitats and populations. Furthermore, the bureau undertakes projects for special protection and assists reproduction of species as required. At present, 54 species in Japan are designated as "National Endangered Species," including the lriomote cat and Blakiston's fish owl. In addition 900 internationally-protected species from around the world, including gorillas and giant pandas, are specified for protection under various regulations.
The capture of wild animals is prohibited except in special cases such as authorized capture for academic purposes. Wildlife Protection Areas have been set up as safe havens for wild animals (about 3,800 places covcring about 3.5 million ha as of the end of 998).

Promotion of Communing with Nature
The Environment Agency is promoting improvement of facilities to help people commune with nature, both for pleasure and to learn more about the environment. These facilities within national parks and quasi-national parks include visitor centers, nature trails, camping grounds, public toilets and car parks. In particular, the Environment Agency is conducting a range of projects: to improve environmental conservation and rehabilitation and provide more comfortable access to key park areas with outstanding natural scenery (Green Diamond Plan); to organize "Nature Education Field" classes to provide children with the opportunity to get close to and learn from nature; and to develop the "Eco Museum" and other environmentally friendly facilities, which can coexist harmoniously with the environment (Coexistence Plan 21).
At the same time, the bureau is developing a series of initiatives to protect the habitats of small creatures such as fireflies and local pockets of nature such as water bodies. The bureau is also developing some types of facilities in various areas harmonized with the nature to promote nature education through contact with and direct experience of the environment.
Another development is the completion of long-distance nature trails in the Tohoku, Tokyo metropolitan, Tokai, Chugoku and Shikoku regions (total length approx. 14,000 km) which aim to encourage people to make closer contact with the wealth of nature, history and culture along these paths. Currently two more paths, in the Chubu-Hokuriku and Kinki regions are being developed.
Furthermore, the bureau organizes assorted events to promote greater intimacy with nature, using these various facilities. These initiatives include "Green Day Gatherings for Nature Communing," campaign for communication with nature, "Nature Trail Walking Festival," and various nature obser-vation walks in natural parks. All of these are run in cooperation with people including park volunteers, who also participate in training seminars organized by the bureau.

Promotion of International Cooperation
Since Japan is an important breeding ground, wintering place, and stopover point for migratory birds, Japan has concluded agreements and conventions involving the United States, China, Australia and Russia aimed at protection of migratory birds and their habitats.
Japan is also a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention to protect internationally important waterfowl habitats, as well as the CITES to regulate international trading in endangered wild animals and plants. In addition, as a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Japan is working steadily to conserve biological diversity ofspecies and ecosystems internationally. The government is also protecting Japan's natural heritage sites (Yakushima and Shirakami-sanchi), in compliance with the Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, as well as cooperating to protect other world natural heritage areas around the world.
Japan is also carrying out measures for environmental conservation in Antarctica, based on the Law Relating to Protection of the Environment in Antarctica, and pushing ahead with efforts to conserve coral reefs, as called for in the International Coral Reef Initiative(ICRI), an international framework for conservation of coral reefs.