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 2011, seventy-nine Wildlife Protection Areas had been established at a national level, covering an area of 5,772 km2, including 1,561 km2 of Special Protection Areas.[6] A further three Wildlife Protection Areas totalling 52.3 km2 were established in June 2012, prior to the eleventh Ramsar wetland conference which takes place from 6 to 13 July 2012.[7][8] As of 31 December 2011, 3,783 Wildlife Protection Areas had been established at a prefectural level, covering an area of 30,572 km2, including 1,495 km2 of prefectural Special Protectional Areas.[9] The eighty-two 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][7]

Wildlife Protection Area Designated Name Prefecture Area (km2) First Established Image Class Coordinates
Daisetsuzan 大雪山鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 355.34 1992 1 43°39′08″N 142°54′09″E / 43.652224°N 142.902603°E / 43.652224; 142.902603 (Daisetsuzan)
Towada 十和田鳥獣保護区 Aomori, Akita 376.74 1953 1 40°27′52″N 140°52′40″E / 40.464450°N 140.877686°E / 40.464450; 140.877686 (Towada)
Shirakami-Sanchi 白神山地鳥獣保護区 Aomori, Akita 171.57 2004 1 40°28′09″N 140°07′50″E / 40.469151°N 140.130444°E / 40.469151; 140.130444 (Shirakami-Sanchi)
Asama 浅間鳥獣保護区 Gunma, Nagano 309.40 1951 1 36°24′19″N 138°31′20″E / 36.405396°N 138.522320°E / 36.405396; 138.522320 (Asama)
Hakusan 白山鳥獣保護区 Ishikawa, Gifu 380.61 1969 1 36°09′19″N 136°45′41″E / 36.155237°N 136.761289°E / 36.155237; 136.761289 (Hakusan)
Ōdai Mountains 大台山系鳥獣保護区 Mie, Nara 180.54 1972 1 34°10′59″N 136°05′01″E / 34.183051°N 136.083612°E / 34.183051; 136.083612 (Ōdai Mountains)
Tsurugi Mountains 剣山山系鳥獣保護区 Tokushima, Kōchi 118.17 1988 1 33°51′14″N 134°05′41″E / 33.853916°N 134.094787°E / 33.853916; 134.094787 (Tsurugi Mountains)
Daisen 大山鳥獣保護区 Tottori 51.56 1958 1 35°22′34″N 133°32′40″E / 35.376174°N 133.544312°E / 35.376174; 133.544312 (Daisen)
Ishizuchi Mountains 石鎚山系鳥獣保護区 Ehime, Kōchi 108.58 1977 1 33°46′18″N 133°06′43″E / 33.771728°N 133.111982°E / 33.771728; 133.111982 (Ishizuchi Mountains)
Kirishima 霧島鳥獣保護区 Miyazaki, Kagoshima 113.90 1978 1 31°55′00″N 130°52′48″E / 31.916762°N 130.880127°E / 31.916762; 130.880127 (Kirishima)
Hamatonbetsu Lake Kutcharo 浜頓別クッチャロ湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 28.03 1983 2 45°08′01″N 142°19′43″E / 45.133739°N 142.328739°E / 45.133739; 142.328739 (Hamatonbetsu Lake Kutcharo)
Sarobetsu サロベツ鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 37.39 1992 2 45°06′20″N 141°41′07″E / 45.105516°N 141.685181°E / 45.105516; 141.685181 (Sarobetsu)
Lake Tōfutsu 濤沸湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 20.51 1992 2 43°55′04″N 144°26′15″E / 43.917804°N 144.437599°E / 43.917804; 144.437599 (Lake Tōfutsu)
Notsuke Peninsula-Notsuke Bay 野付半島・野付湾鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 61.46 2005 2 43°37′29″N 145°12′41″E / 43.624768°N 145.211277°E / 43.624768; 145.211277 (Notsuke Peninsula-Notsuke Bay)
Lake Furen 風蓮湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 78.06 1993 2 43°20′21″N 145°16′00″E / 43.339162°N 145.266724°E / 43.339162; 145.266724 (Lake Furen)
Akkeshi-Bekanbeushi-Kiritappu 厚岸・別寒辺牛・霧多布鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 112.71 1993 2 43°05′01″N 145°04′48″E / 43.083684°N 145.079956°E / 43.083684; 145.079956 (Akkeshi-Bekanbeushi-Kiritappu)
Miyajima-numa 宮島沼鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 0.41 1992 2 43°19′57″N 141°42′49″E / 43.332389°N 141.713719°E / 43.332389; 141.713719 (Miyajima-numa)
Lake Utonai ウトナイ湖鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 5.10 1982 2 42°41′57″N 141°42′43″E / 42.699091°N 141.711831°E / 42.699091; 141.711831 (Lake Utonai)
Kominato 小湊鳥獣保護区 Aomori 45.18 1971 2 40°56′14″N 140°58′23″E / 40.937118°N 140.973129°E / 40.937118; 140.973129 (Kominato)
Izu-numa 伊豆沼鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 14.55 1982 2 38°42′55″N 141°06′14″E / 38.715351°N 141.103935°E / 38.715351; 141.103935 (Izu-numa)
Sendai Beach 仙台海浜鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 75.96 1987 2 38°12′28″N 140°58′48″E / 38.207702°N 140.979996°E / 38.207702; 140.979996 (Sendai Beach)
Kabukuri-numa and the surrounding rice paddies 蕪栗沼・周辺水田鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 30.61 2005 2 38°38′13″N 141°06′18″E / 38.636919°N 141.105137°E / 38.636919; 141.105137 (Kabukuri-numa)
Kejo-numa 化女沼鳥獣保護区 Miyagi 0.78 2008 2 38°37′50″N 140°57′46″E / 38.630550°N 140.962701°E / 38.630550; 140.962701 (Kejo-numa)
Mogami River Mouth 最上川河口鳥獣保護区 Yamagata 15.37 2005 2 38°55′23″N 139°48′40″E / 38.923159°N 139.811068°E / 38.923159; 139.811068 (Mogami River Mouth)
Ōyama Kamiike-Shimoike 大山上池・下池鳥獣保護区 Yamagata 0.39 2008 2 38°45′00″N 139°45′20″E / 38.750134°N 139.755664°E / 38.750134; 139.755664 (Ōyama Kamiike-Shimoike)
Watara Reservoir 渡良瀬遊水地鳥獣保護区 Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama 28.61 2012 2 36°14′20″N 139°42′00″E / 36.238874°N 139.699917°E / 36.238874; 139.699917 (Watara Reservoir)
Fukushimagata 福島潟鳥獣保護区 Niigata 1.63 1974 2 37°54′39″N 139°15′06″E / 37.910922°N 139.251795°E / 37.910922; 139.251795 (Fukushimagata)
Lake Hyōko 瓢湖鳥獣保護区 Niigata 2.81 2005 2 37°50′19″N 139°14′15″E / 37.838699°N 139.237461°E / 37.838699; 139.237461 (Lake Hyōko)
Sakata Lagoon 佐潟鳥獣保護区 Niigata 2.51 1981 2 37°48′58″N 138°52′27″E / 37.816056°N 138.874054°E / 37.816056; 138.874054 (Sakata)
Yatsu 谷津鳥獣保護区 Chiba 0.41 1988 2 35°40′39″N 140°00′28″E / 35.677413°N 140.007813°E / 35.677413; 140.007813 (Yatsu)
Katano Kamoike 片野鴨池鳥獣保護区 Ishikawa 0.10 1993 2 36°19′18″N 136°17′39″E / 36.321669°N 136.294069°E / 36.321669; 136.294069 (Katano Kamoike)
Fujimae-higata 藤前干潟鳥獣保護区 Aichi 7.70 2002 2 35°04′54″N 136°50′15″E / 35.081638°N 136.837635°E / 35.081638; 136.837635 (Fujimae-higata)
Hamakōshien 浜甲子園鳥獣保護区 Hyōgo 0.30 1978 2 34°42′54″N 135°21′03″E / 34.714895°N 135.350704°E / 34.714895; 135.350704 (Hamakōshien)
Nakaumi 中海鳥獣保護区 Tottori, Shimane 87.24 1974 2 35°28′01″N 133°11′39″E / 35.466822°N 133.194122°E / 35.466822; 133.194122 (Nakaumi)
Lake Shinji 宍道湖鳥獣保護区 Shimane 78.51 2005 2 35°27′48″N 133°02′59″E / 35.463466°N 133.049669°E / 35.463466; 133.049669 (Lake Shinji)
Wajiro-higata 和白干潟鳥獣保護区 Fukuoka 2.54 2003 2 33°41′12″N 130°25′46″E / 33.686639°N 130.429516°E / 33.686639; 130.429516 (Wajiro-higata)
Arao-higata 荒尾干潟鳥獣保護区 Kumamoto 18.23 2012 2 32°59′11″N 130°25′45″E / 32.986456°N 130.429215°E / 32.986456; 130.429215 (Arao-higata)
Izumi-Takaono 出水・高尾野鳥獣保護区 Kagoshima 8.42 1987 2 32°06′12″N 130°16′27″E / 32.103226°N 130.274162°E / 32.103226; 130.274162 (Izumi-Takaono)
Yagaji 屋我地鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 32.24 1976 2 26°38′54″N 128°01′59″E / 26.648255°N 128.033187°E / 26.648255; 128.033187 (Yagaji)
Lake Man 漫湖鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 1.74 1977 2 43°55′04″N 144°26′15″E / 43.917804°N 144.437599°E / 43.917804; 144.437599 (Lake Man)
Yonaha Bay 与那覇湾鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 13.66 2011 2 24°45′34″N 125°15′47″E / 24.759517°N 125.263174°E / 24.759517; 125.263174 (Yonaha Bay)
Ikema 池間鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 2.82 2011 2 24°55′56″N 125°14′31″E / 24.932171°N 125.241909°E / 24.932171; 125.241909 (Ikema)
Teuri Island 天売島鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 5.51 1982 3 44°25′18″N 141°18′32″E / 44.421705°N 141.308813°E / 44.421705; 141.308813 (Teuri Island)
Yururi-Moyururi ユルリ・モユルリ鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 1.99 1982 3 43°13′37″N 145°36′27″E / 43.226991°N 145.607600°E / 43.226991; 145.607600 (Yururi-Moyururi)
Daikoku Island 大黒島鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 1.07 1972 3 42°57′17″N 144°52′24″E / 42.954664°N 144.873276°E / 42.954664; 144.873276 (Daikoku Island)
Hide Island 日出島鳥獣保護区 Iwate 0.08 1982 3 39°41′14″N 141°59′16″E / 39.687152°N 141.987648°E / 39.687152; 141.987648 (Hide Island)
Sangan Island 三貫島鳥獣保護区 Iwate 0.25 1981 3 39°18′21″N 141°58′57″E / 39.305878°N 141.982498°E / 39.305878; 141.982498 (Sangan Island)
Tadanae-jima 祗苗島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 5.93 2010 3 34°12′28″N 139°11′30″E / 34.207685°N 139.191713°E / 34.207685; 139.191713 (Tadanae-jima)
Ōnohara-jima 大野原島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 5.46 2010 3 34°02′41″N 139°23′15″E / 34.044722°N 139.3875°E / 34.044722; 139.3875 (Ōnohara-jima)
Nishinoshima 西之島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 0.29 2008 3 27°14′49″N 140°52′28″E / 27.246944°N 140.874444°E / 27.246944; 140.874444 (Nishinoshima)
North Iwo Jima 北硫黄島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 8.60 2009 3 25°26′17″N 141°16′59″E / 25.438082°N 141.282978°E / 25.438082; 141.282978 (North Iwo Jima)
Minamitorishima 南鳥島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 3.95 2009 3 24°16′59″N 153°59′11″E / 24.283056°N 153.986389°E / 24.283056; 153.986389 (Minamitorishima)
Nanatsu-jima 七ツ島鳥獣保護区 Ishikawa 0.24 1973 3 37°36′35″N 136°54′05″E / 37.609722°N 136.901389°E / 37.609722; 136.901389 (Nanatsu-jima)
Kiinagashima 紀伊長島鳥獣保護区 Mie 61.31 1969 3 34°11′52″N 136°19′45″E / 34.197818°N 136.329045°E / 34.197818; 136.329045 (Kiinagashima)
Kanmurijima-Kutsujima 冠島・沓島鳥獣保護区 Kyoto 13.00 2010 3 35°40′53″N 135°25′28″E / 35.681370°N 135.424433°E / 35.681370; 135.424433 (Kanmurijima-Kutsujima)
Kakuijima 鹿久居島鳥獣保護区 Okayama 6.62 1953 3 34°43′10″N 134°18′20″E / 34.719444°N 134.305556°E / 34.719444; 134.305556 (Kakuijima)
Okinoshima 沖ノ島鳥獣保護区 Fukuoka 0.97 1984 3 34°14′40″N 130°06′15″E / 34.244411°N 130.104046°E / 34.244411; 130.104046 (Okinoshima)
Danjo Islands 男女群島鳥獣保護区 Nagasaki 4.16 1973 3 31°59′20″N 128°21′07″E / 31.988889°N 128.351944°E / 31.988889; 128.351944 (Tanjo Islands)
Birōjima 枇榔島鳥獣保護区 Miyazaki 4.82 2010 3 32°27′54″N 131°43′51″E / 32.464911°N 131.730795°E / 32.464911; 131.730795 (Birōjima)
Kusagakijima 草垣島鳥獣保護区 Kagoshima 0.21 1973 3 30°50′32″N 129°26′01″E / 30.842184°N 129.433665°E / 30.842184; 129.433665 (Kusagakijima)
Nakanokamijima 仲の神島鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 0.18 1981 3 24°11′42″N 123°33′50″E / 24.195°N 123.563889°E / 24.195; 123.563889 (Nakanokamijima)
Shiretoko 知床鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 440.53 1982 4 44°03′17″N 145°06′14″E / 44.054778°N 145.103989°E / 44.054778; 145.103989 (Shiretoko)
Kushiro Shitsugen 釧路湿原鳥獣保護区 Hokkaidō 115.23 1958 4 43°03′59″N 144°17′49″E / 43.066254°N 144.297009°E / 43.066254; 144.297009 (Kushiro Shitsugen)
Western Shimokita 下北西部鳥獣保護区 Aomori 49.46 1984 4 41°18′52″N 141°05′21″E / 41.314434°N 141.089172°E / 41.314434; 141.089172 (Western Shimokita)
Hotokenuma 仏沼鳥獣保護区 Aomori 7.37 2005 4 40°48′55″N 141°22′52″E / 40.815303°N 141.381083°E / 40.815303; 141.381083 (Hotokenuma)
Ōgata-sōgen 大潟草原鳥獣保護区 Akita 1.35 1977 4 40°00′56″N 139°57′08″E / 40.015520°N 139.952259°E / 40.015520; 139.952259 (Ōgata-sōgen)
Moriyoshizan 森吉山鳥獣保護区 Akita 66.16 1973 4 39°58′35″N 140°32′40″E / 39.976265°N 140.544577°E / 39.976265; 140.544577 (Moriyoshizan)
Ōshima Asahi 大鳥朝日鳥獣保護区 Yamagata, Niigata 382.85 1984 4 38°15′38″N 139°55′20″E / 38.260592°N 139.922261°E / 38.260592; 139.922261 (Ōshima Asahi)
Torishima 鳥島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 4.53 1954 4 30°29′02″N 140°18′11″E / 30.483889°N 140.303056°E / 30.483889; 140.303056 (Torishima)
Ogasawara 小笠原群島鳥獣保護区 Tokyo 200.58 1980 4 27°06′32″N 142°12′14″E / 27.108798°N 142.203941°E / 27.108798; 142.203941 (Ogasawara)
Eastern Sado 小佐渡東部鳥獣保護区 Niigata 126.20 1982 4 38°03′55″N 138°26′14″E / 38.065392°N 138.437347°E / 38.065392; 138.437347 (Eastern Sado)
Northern Alps 北アルプス鳥獣保護区 Toyama, Nagano, Gifu 1,103.06 1984 4 36°16′19″N 137°38′12″E / 36.271957°N 137.636719°E / 36.271957; 137.636719 (Northern Alps)
Maruyama River Basin 円山川下流域鳥獣保護区 Hyōgo 5.50 2012 4 35°38′45″N 134°49′49″E / 35.645788°N 134.830399°E / 35.645788; 134.830399 (Maruyama River Basin)
Sainan 西南鳥獣保護区 Kōchi 15.33 1979 4 32°53′53″N 133°01′21″E / 32.898038°N 133.022461°E / 32.898038; 133.022461 (Sainan)
Ina 伊奈鳥獣保護区 Nagasaki 11.73 1988 4 34°36′22″N 129°25′08″E / 34.606085°N 129.418945°E / 34.606085; 129.418945 (Ina)
Yuwan-dake 湯湾岳鳥獣保護区 Kagoshima 3.20 1965 4 31°44′18″N 130°38′51″E / 31.738387°N 130.647440°E / 31.738387; 130.647440 (Yuwan-dake)
Nagura-Anparu 名蔵アンパル鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 11.45 2003 4 24°22′50″N 124°07′56″E / 24.380522°N 124.132161°E / 24.380522; 124.132161 (Nagura-Anparu)
Yanbaru (Ada) やんばる（安田）鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 12.79 2009 4 26°45′10″N 128°19′32″E / 26.752700°N 128.325419°E / 26.752700; 128.325419 (Yanbaru (Ada))
Yanbaru (Aha) やんばる（安波）鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 4.65 2009 4 26°42′59″N 128°15′55″E / 26.716404°N 128.265209°E / 26.716404; 128.265209 (Yanbaru (Aha))
Daitō Islands 大東諸島鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 42.51 2004 4 25°51′26″N 131°14′18″E / 25.857293°N 131.238470°E / 25.857293; 131.238470 (Daitō Islands)
Yonaguni 与那国鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 10.40 2010 4 24°26′59″N 122°58′27″E / 24.449650°N 122.974262°E / 24.449650; 122.974262 (Yonaguni)
Iriomote 西表鳥獣保護区 Okinawa 102.18 1992 4 24°20′29″N 123°49′26″E / 24.341466°N 123.823814°E / 24.341466; 123.823814 (Iriomote)

Complementary measures

Wildlife Protection Areas are just one element in a network of complementary protected area systems.[10] 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; Nature Conservation Forests under the National Forest Management Bylaw; and Protected Waters under the Preservation of Fisheries Resources Law.[10] 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).[10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Protected Areas in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  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). law.e-gov.go.jp. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "Wildlife Protection System and the Hunting Law". Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "State of Global Environment at a Glance: Wildlife Protection". Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 "Wildlife Conservation and Management in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  6. 1 2 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. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  7. 1 2 国指定鳥獣保護区諮問案件一覧（全て新規指定） [List of newly established Wildlife Protection Areas] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "The 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP11)". Ramsar. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  9. ↑ 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. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 "Protected Areas in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 2/8/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.