Wildlife Protection Areas in Japan

Notification of a Wildlife Protection Area and Special Protection Area in Yatsu-higata, a tidal flat and Ramsar Site in Tokyo Bay

Wildlife Protection Areas (鳥獣保護区, chōjū hogoku) in Japan are established by the Ministry of the Environment and, for areas of more local importance, by the Prefectural Governments in order "to protect and promote the reproduction of birds and mammals" in accordance with the 2002 Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law (鳥獣の保護及び狩猟の適正化に関する法律) (superseding the amended 1918 Law).[1][2][3] The areas established have a maximum duration of twenty years (subject to renewal) and hunting is prohibited within them.[1] Special Protection Areas (特別保護地区) are designated within the Wildlife Protection Areas in order to protect habitats and ecosystems.[1][4]

Classification of wildlife

The wildlife of Japan is classified either as game species or protected species.[5] The former includes thirty species of bird and seventeen of mammal that are considered (1) able to withstand hunting (2) harmful to agriculture and forestry (3) useful for meat or other derivatives.[5] These species include the brown bear, black bear, Japanese deer, Japanese hare, Japanese quail, and Japanese pheasant.[4] Over six hundred species are protected.[4] Insectivorous mammals and rats are excluded from protection since they are considered harmful to agriculture; some marine mammals fall under the alternative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.[4] While the number of animals hunted is falling with the decline in the number of hunters, the number of birds and mammals "controlled" is rising in relation to damage to crops.[5]

Established Wildlife Protection Areas

As of 1 November 2019, eighty-six Wildlife Protection Areas have been established at a national level, covering an area of 5,930 square kilometres (2,290 sq mi), including 1,639 square kilometres (633 sq mi) of Special Protection Areas.[6] As of the same date, 3,639 Wildlife Protection Areas have been established at a prefectural level, covering an area of 29,260 square kilometres (11,300 sq mi), including 1,425 square kilometres (550 sq mi) of prefectural Special Protectional Areas.[7] The eighty-six nationally designated areas, divided into the four classes of large habitats (大規模生息地), wetland areas (集団渡来地), breeding areas (集団繁殖地), and habitats of rare birds and mammals (希少鳥獣生息地), are as follows:[6]

Wildlife Protection Area Designated Name Image Prefecture Coordinates Area (km2) Established Class
Daisetsuzan 大雪山鳥獣保護区 Hokkaido 43°39′08″N 142°54′09″E / 43.652224°N 142.902603°E / 43.652224; 142.902603 (Daisetsuzan) 355.34 1992 1
Towada 十和田鳥獣保護区 Aomori, Akita 40°27′52″N 140°52′40″E / 40.464450°N 140.877686°E / 40.464450; 140.877686 (Towada) 376.74 1953 1
Shirakami-Sanchi 白神山地鳥獣保護区 Aomori, Akita 40°28′09″N 140°07′50″E / 40.469151°N 140.130444°E / 40.469151; 140.130444 (Shirakami-Sanchi) 171.57 2004 1
Asama 浅間鳥獣保護区 Gunma, Nagano 36°24′19″N 138°31′20″E / 36.405396°N 138.522320°E / 36.405396; 138.522320 (Asama) 309.40 1951 1
Hakusan 白山鳥獣保護区 Ishikawa, Gifu 36°09′19″N 136°45′41″E / 36.155237°N 136.761289°E / 36.155237; 136.761289 (Hakusan) 380.61 1969 1
Ōdai Mountains 大台山系鳥獣保護区 Mie, Nara 34°10′59″N 136°05′01″E / 34.183051°N 136.083612°E / 34.183051; 136.083612 (Ōdai Mountains) 185.72 1972 1
Tsurugi Mountains 剣山山系鳥獣保護区 Tokushima, Kōchi 33°51′14″N 134°05′41″E / 33.853916°N 134.094787°E / 33.853916; 134.094787 (Tsurugi Mountains) 118.17 1988 1
Daisen 大山鳥獣保護区 Tottori 35°22′34″N 133°32′40″E / 35.376174°N 133.544312°E / 35.376174; 133.544312 (Daisen) 51.56 1958 1
Ishizuchi Mountains 石鎚山系鳥獣保護区 Ehime, Kōchi 33°46′18″N 133°06′43″E / 33.771728°N 133.111982°E / 33.771728; 133.111982 (Ishizuchi Mountains) 108.58 1977 1
Kirishima 霧島鳥獣保護区 Miyazaki, Kagoshima 31°55′00″N 130°52′48″E / 31.916762°N 130.880127°E / 31.916762; 130.880127 (Kirishima) 114.33 1978 1
Hamatonbetsu Lake Kutcharo 浜頓別クッチャロ湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 45°08′01″N 142°19′43″E / 45.133739°N 142.328739°E / 45.133739; 142.328739 (Hamatonbetsu Lake Kutcharo) 28.03 1983 2
Sarobetsu サロベツ鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 45°06′20″N 141°41′07″E / 45.105516°N 141.685181°E / 45.105516; 141.685181 (Sarobetsu) 37.39 1992 2
Lake Tōfutsu 濤沸湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 43°55′04″N 144°26′15″E / 43.917804°N 144.437599°E / 43.917804; 144.437599 (Lake Tōfutsu) 20.23 1992 2
Notsuke Peninsula - Notsuke Bay 野付半島・野付湾鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 43°37′29″N 145°12′41″E / 43.624768°N 145.211277°E / 43.624768; 145.211277 (Notsuke Peninsula - Notsuke Bay) 61.46 2005 2
Lake Furen 風蓮湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 43°20′21″N 145°16′00″E / 43.339162°N 145.266724°E / 43.339162; 145.266724 (Lake Furen) 81.39 1993 2
Akkeshi-Bekanbeushi-Kiritappu 厚岸・別寒辺牛・霧多布鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 43°05′01″N 145°04′48″E / 43.083684°N 145.079956°E / 43.083684; 145.079956 (Akkeshi-Bekanbeushi-Kiritappu) 130.64 1993 2
Miyajima-numa 宮島沼鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 43°19′57″N 141°42′49″E / 43.332389°N 141.713719°E / 43.332389; 141.713719 (Miyajima-numa) 0.41 1992 2
Lake Utonai ウトナイ湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 42°41′57″N 141°42′43″E / 42.699091°N 141.711831°E / 42.699091; 141.711831 (Lake Utonai) 5.10 1982 2
Kominato 小湊鳥獣保護区 Aomori 40°56′14″N 140°58′23″E / 40.937118°N 140.973129°E / 40.937118; 140.973129 (Kominato) 45.18 1971 2
Izu-numa 伊豆沼鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 38°42′55″N 141°06′14″E / 38.715351°N 141.103935°E / 38.715351; 141.103935 (Izu-numa) 14.55 1982 2
Sendai Seaside 仙台海浜鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 38°12′28″N 140°58′48″E / 38.207702°N 140.979996°E / 38.207702; 140.979996 (Sendai Seaside) 75.96 1987 2
Kabukuri-numa and the surrounding rice paddies 蕪栗沼・周辺水田鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 38°38′13″N 141°06′18″E / 38.636919°N 141.105137°E / 38.636919; 141.105137 (Kabukuri-numa) 30.61 2005 2
Kejo-numa 化女沼鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 38°37′50″N 140°57′46″E / 38.630550°N 140.962701°E / 38.630550; 140.962701 (Kejo-numa) 0.78 2008 2
Mogami River Mouth 最上川河口鳥獣保護区 Yamagata 38°55′23″N 139°48′40″E / 38.923159°N 139.811068°E / 38.923159; 139.811068 (Mogami River Mouth) 15.37 2005 2
Ōyama Kamiike-Shimoike 大山上池・下池鳥獣保護区 Yamagata 38°45′00″N 139°45′20″E / 38.750134°N 139.755664°E / 38.750134; 139.755664 (Ōyama Kamiike-Shimoike) 0.39 2008 2
Fukushimagata 福島潟鳥獣保護区 Niigata 37°54′39″N 139°15′06″E / 37.910922°N 139.251795°E / 37.910922; 139.251795 (Fukushimagata) 2.31 1974 2
Lake Hyōko 瓢湖鳥獣保護区 Niigata 37°50′19″N 139°14′15″E / 37.838699°N 139.237461°E / 37.838699; 139.237461 (Lake Hyōko) 2.81 2005 2
Sakata Lagoon 佐潟鳥獣保護区 Niigata 37°48′58″N 138°52′27″E / 37.816056°N 138.874054°E / 37.816056; 138.874054 (Sakata) 2.51 1981 2
Hinuma 涸沼鳥獣保護区 Ibaraki 36°16′30″N 140°30′18″E / 36.274935°N 140.505137°E / 36.274935; 140.505137 (Hinuma) 20.72 2014 2
Watarase Reservoir 渡良瀬遊水地鳥獣保護区 Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama 36°14′20″N 139°42′00″E / 36.238874°N 139.699917°E / 36.238874; 139.699917 (Watarase Reservoir) 28.61 2012 2
Kasaioki-Sanmaisu 葛西沖三枚洲鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 35°38′01″N 139°51′48″E / 35.633728°N 139.863213°E / 35.633728; 139.863213 (Kasaioki-Sanmaisu) 3.80 2018 2
Yatsu 谷津鳥獣保護区 Chiba 35°40′39″N 140°00′28″E / 35.677413°N 140.007813°E / 35.677413; 140.007813 (Yatsu) 0.41 1988 2
Katano Kamoike 片野鴨池鳥獣保護区 Ishikawa 36°19′18″N 136°17′39″E / 36.321669°N 136.294069°E / 36.321669; 136.294069 (Katano Kamoike) 0.10 1993 2
Fujimae-higata 藤前干潟鳥獣保護区 Aichi 35°04′54″N 136°50′15″E / 35.081638°N 136.837635°E / 35.081638; 136.837635 (Fujimae-higata) 7.70 2002 2
Hamakōshien 浜甲子園鳥獣保護区 Hyōgo 34°42′54″N 135°21′03″E / 34.714895°N 135.350704°E / 34.714895; 135.350704 (Hamakōshien) 0.30 1978 2
Nakaumi 中海鳥獣保護区 Tottori, Shimane 35°28′01″N 133°11′39″E / 35.466822°N 133.194122°E / 35.466822; 133.194122 (Nakaumi) 86.82 1974 2
Lake Shinji 宍道湖鳥獣保護区 Shimane 35°27′48″N 133°02′59″E / 35.463466°N 133.049669°E / 35.463466; 133.049669 (Lake Shinji) 78.99 2005 2
Wajiro-higata - Tatara River Mouth 和白干潟・多々良川河口鳥獣保護区 Fukuoka 33°41′12″N 130°25′46″E / 33.686639°N 130.429516°E / 33.686639; 130.429516 (Wajiro-higata - Tatara River Mouth) 2.91 2003 2
Higashiyoka-higata 東よか干潟鳥獣保護区 Saga 33°10′25″N 130°16′13″E / 33.173684°N 130.270223°E / 33.173684; 130.270223 (Higashiyoka-higata) 2.39 2015 2
Hizen Kashima-higata 肥前鹿島干潟鳥獣保護区 Saga 33°06′32″N 130°07′41″E / 33.108999°N 130.128189°E / 33.108999; 130.128189 (Hizen Kashima-higata) 0.67 2015 2
Arao-higata 荒尾干潟鳥獣保護区 Kumamoto 32°59′11″N 130°25′45″E / 32.986456°N 130.429215°E / 32.986456; 130.429215 (Arao-higata) 18.23 2012 2
Izumi-Takaono 出水・高尾野鳥獣保護区 Kagoshima 32°06′12″N 130°16′27″E / 32.103226°N 130.274162°E / 32.103226; 130.274162 (Izumi-Takaono) 8.42 1987 2
Yagaji 屋我地鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 26°38′54″N 128°01′59″E / 26.648255°N 128.033187°E / 26.648255; 128.033187 (Yagaji) 32.17 1976 2
Lake Man 漫湖鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 43°55′04″N 144°26′15″E / 43.917804°N 144.437599°E / 43.917804; 144.437599 (Lake Man) 1.74 1977 2
Yonaha Bay 与那覇湾鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 24°45′34″N 125°15′47″E / 24.759517°N 125.263174°E / 24.759517; 125.263174 (Yonaha Bay) 13.66 2011 2
Ikema 池間鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 24°55′56″N 125°14′31″E / 24.932171°N 125.241909°E / 24.932171; 125.241909 (Ikema) 2.82 2011 2
Teuri Island 天売島鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 44°25′18″N 141°18′32″E / 44.421705°N 141.308813°E / 44.421705; 141.308813 (Teuri Island) 5.51 1982 3
Yururi - Moyururi ユルリ・モユルリ鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 43°13′37″N 145°36′27″E / 43.226991°N 145.607600°E / 43.226991; 145.607600 (Yururi-Moyururi) 1.99 1982 3
Daikoku Island 大黒島鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 42°57′17″N 144°52′24″E / 42.954664°N 144.873276°E / 42.954664; 144.873276 (Daikoku Island) 1.07 1972 3
Hide Island 日出島鳥獣保護区 Iwate 39°41′14″N 141°59′16″E / 39.687152°N 141.987648°E / 39.687152; 141.987648 (Hide Island) 0.08 1982 3
Sangan Island 三貫島鳥獣保護区 Iwate 39°18′21″N 141°58′57″E / 39.305878°N 141.982498°E / 39.305878; 141.982498 (Sangan Island) 0.25 1981 3
Tadanae-jima 祗苗島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 34°12′28″N 139°11′30″E / 34.207685°N 139.191713°E / 34.207685; 139.191713 (Tadanae-jima) 5.93 2010 3
Ōnohara-jima 大野原島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 34°02′41″N 139°23′15″E / 34.044722°N 139.3875°E / 34.044722; 139.3875 (Ōnohara-jima) 5.46 2010 3
Nishinoshima 西之島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 27°14′49″N 140°52′28″E / 27.246944°N 140.874444°E / 27.246944; 140.874444 (Nishinoshima) 0.29 2008 3
North Iwo Jima 北硫黄島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 25°26′17″N 141°16′59″E / 25.438082°N 141.282978°E / 25.438082; 141.282978 (North Iwo Jima) 8.60 2009 3
Minamitorishima 南鳥島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 24°16′59″N 153°59′11″E / 24.283056°N 153.986389°E / 24.283056; 153.986389 (Minamitorishima) 3.95 2009 3
Nanatsu-jima 七ツ島鳥獣保護区 Ishikawa 37°36′35″N 136°54′05″E / 37.609722°N 136.901389°E / 37.609722; 136.901389 (Nanatsu-jima) 0.24 1973 3
Kiinagashima 紀伊長島鳥獣保護区 Mie 34°11′52″N 136°19′45″E / 34.197818°N 136.329045°E / 34.197818; 136.329045 (Kiinagashima) 61.31 1969 3
Kanmurijima - Kutsujima 冠島・沓島鳥獣保護区 Kyoto 35°40′53″N 135°25′28″E / 35.681370°N 135.424433°E / 35.681370; 135.424433 (Kanmurijima - Kutsujima) 13.00 2010 3
Kakui Island 鹿久居島鳥獣保護区 Okayama 34°43′10″N 134°18′20″E / 34.719444°N 134.305556°E / 34.719444; 134.305556 (Kakui Island) 6.62 1953 3
Okinoshima 沖ノ島鳥獣保護区 Fukuoka 34°14′40″N 130°06′15″E / 34.244411°N 130.104046°E / 34.244411; 130.104046 (Okinoshima) 0.97 1984 3
Danjo Islands 男女群島鳥獣保護区 Nagasaki 31°59′20″N 128°21′07″E / 31.988889°N 128.351944°E / 31.988889; 128.351944 (Danjo Islands) 4.16 1973 3
Birōjima 枇榔島鳥獣保護区 Miyazaki 32°27′54″N 131°43′51″E / 32.464911°N 131.730795°E / 32.464911; 131.730795 (Birōjima) 4.82 2010 3
Kusagaki-jima 草垣島鳥獣保護区 Kagoshima 30°50′32″N 129°26′01″E / 30.842184°N 129.433665°E / 30.842184; 129.433665 (Kusagaki-jima) 0.21 1973 3
Nakanokami Island 仲の神島鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 24°11′42″N 123°33′50″E / 24.195°N 123.563889°E / 24.195; 123.563889 (Nakanokami Island) 0.18 1981 3
Shiretoko 知床鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 44°03′17″N 145°06′14″E / 44.054778°N 145.103989°E / 44.054778; 145.103989 (Shiretoko) 440.53 1982 4
Kushiro Shitsugen 釧路湿原鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 43°03′59″N 144°17′49″E / 43.066254°N 144.297009°E / 43.066254; 144.297009 (Kushiro Shitsugen) 172.41 1958 4
Western Shimokita 下北西部鳥獣保護区 Aomori 41°18′52″N 141°05′21″E / 41.314434°N 141.089172°E / 41.314434; 141.089172 (Western Shimokita) 49.14 1984 4
Hotokenuma 仏沼鳥獣保護区 Aomori 40°48′55″N 141°22′52″E / 40.815303°N 141.381083°E / 40.815303; 141.381083 (Hotokenuma) 7.37 2005 4
Ōgata Grasslands 大潟草原鳥獣保護区 Akita 40°00′56″N 139°57′08″E / 40.015520°N 139.952259°E / 40.015520; 139.952259 (Ōgata Grasslands) 1.50 1977 4
Mount Moriyoshi 森吉山鳥獣保護区 Akita 39°58′35″N 140°32′40″E / 39.976265°N 140.544577°E / 39.976265; 140.544577 (Mount Moriyoshi) 65.98 1973 4
Ōshima Asahi 大鳥朝日鳥獣保護区 Yamagata, Niigata 38°15′38″N 139°55′20″E / 38.260592°N 139.922261°E / 38.260592; 139.922261 (Ōshima Asahi) 382.85 1984 4
Tori-shima 鳥島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 30°29′02″N 140°18′11″E / 30.483889°N 140.303056°E / 30.483889; 140.303056 (Tori-shima) 4.79 1954 4
Ogasawara 小笠原群島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 27°06′32″N 142°12′14″E / 27.108798°N 142.203941°E / 27.108798; 142.203941 (Ogasawara) 200.65 1980 4
Eastern Sado 小佐渡東部鳥獣保護区 Niigata 38°03′55″N 138°26′14″E / 38.065392°N 138.437347°E / 38.065392; 138.437347 (Eastern Sado) 129.19 1982 4
Northern Alps 北アルプス鳥獣保護区 Toyama, Nagano, Gifu 36°16′19″N 137°38′12″E / 36.271957°N 137.636719°E / 36.271957; 137.636719 (Northern Alps) 1,099.89 1984 4
Maruyama River Basin 円山川下流域鳥獣保護区 Hyōgo 35°38′45″N 134°49′49″E / 35.645788°N 134.830399°E / 35.645788; 134.830399 (Maruyama River Basin) 10.84 2012 4
Ina 伊奈鳥獣保護区 Nagasaki 34°36′22″N 129°25′08″E / 34.606085°N 129.418945°E / 34.606085; 129.418945 (Ina) 11.73 1988 4
Shūshinouchi 舟志ノ内鳥獣保護区 Nagasaki 34°35′59″N 129°26′08″E / 34.599725°N 129.435616°E / 34.599725; 129.435616 (Shūshinouchi) 3.40 2015 4
Mount Yuwan 湯湾岳鳥獣保護区 Kagoshima 31°44′18″N 130°38′51″E / 31.738387°N 130.647440°E / 31.738387; 130.647440 (Mount Yuwan) 3.20 1965 4
Nagura-Anparu 名蔵アンパル鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 24°22′50″N 124°07′56″E / 24.380522°N 124.132161°E / 24.380522; 124.132161 (Nagura-Anparu) 11.45 2003 4
Yanbaru (Ada) やんばる（安田）鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 26°45′10″N 128°19′32″E / 26.752700°N 128.325419°E / 26.752700; 128.325419 (Yanbaru (Ada)) 12.79 2009 4
Yanbaru (Aha) やんばる（安波）鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 26°42′59″N 128°15′55″E / 26.716404°N 128.265209°E / 26.716404; 128.265209 (Yanbaru (Aha)) 4.65 2009 4
Daitō Islands 大東諸島鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 25°51′26″N 131°14′18″E / 25.857293°N 131.238470°E / 25.857293; 131.238470 (Daitō Islands) 42.51 2004 4
Yonaguni 与那国鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 24°26′59″N 122°58′27″E / 24.449650°N 122.974262°E / 24.449650; 122.974262 (Yonaguni) 10.40 2010 4
Iriomote 西表鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 24°20′29″N 123°49′26″E / 24.341466°N 123.823814°E / 24.341466; 123.823814 (Iriomote) 102.18 1992 4

Complementary measures

Wildlife Protection Areas are just one element in a network of complementary protected area systems.[8] Others include Wilderness Areas and Nature Conservation Areas under the Nature Conservation Law; Natural Parks under the Natural Parks Law; Natural Habitat Conservation Areas under the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; Natural Monuments and Special Natural Monuments under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties 1950; Protected Forests under the National Forest Management Bylaw; and Protected Waters under the Preservation of Fisheries Resources Law.[8] Areas are also protected in accordance with three international programmes: the World Heritage Convention (see Yakushima, Shirakami-Sanchi, Shiretoko, and Ogasawara Islands); Man and the Biosphere Programme (see Yakushima, Mount Ōmine/Mount Ōdaigahara, Hakusan, and Shiga Kōgen); and the Ramsar Convention (see Ramsar Sites in Japan).[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Protected Areas in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  2. ^ 鳥獣の保護及び狩猟の適正化に関する法律 [Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law] (in Japanese). House of Representatives. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Wildlife Protection System and the Hunting Law". Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "State of Global Environment at a Glance: Wildlife Protection". Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Wildlife Conservation and Management in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b 国指定鳥獣保護区一覧 [List of Wildlife Protection Areas established at a National level] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  7. ^ 都道府県指定鳥獣保護区の指定等の現況 [Wildlife Protection Areas established at a Prefectural level] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Protected Areas in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.