Protect Japan’s biodiversity

要約

In releasing the newly revised Red List, which evaluates extinction risks of each individual species, on Aug. 28, the Environment Ministry announced that the Japanese river otter has become extinct. The ministry also announced that the Japanese black bear in Kyushu has become extinct.

The report means that Japan has lost two mammals important to its ecosystem. Pollution was not solely responsible for the extinction of the Japanese river otter, hunting for furs took its toll as well.

In 1993, the Act for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora went into force. But clearly Japan is lagging in measures to protect and increase the population of an endangered species. The possibility cannot be ruled out that the number of extinct species will increase. The government should consider drastically changing the law and improving measures to protect endangered species to maintain Japan’s biodiversity.

Under the law, agents assigned to protect endangered species, including the Environment Ministry, are not given the needed authority to provide adequate protection for species under threat. The law also fails to cover oceanic fish and mammals, such as whales.

The Red List is revised roughly every five years. The new list has classified 3,430 species of mammals, birds, insects, plants, etc., as critically endangered, an increase of 419 from the previous Red List. This shows environmental conditions for plants and animals are deteriorating rapidly.

Human activity, such as development projects and the failure to manage forests properly, is also contributing to the extinction of species. In writing a new strategy for securing biodiversity, the national government should present a clearer vision, and map out in detail the efforts and strategies it intends to implement to provide greater protection to endangered species. It’s also important to devise ways to heighten public awareness and involve them in conservation programs. Banning the acquisition and sale of more endangered species should also be implemented.

日本語の抄訳はウィークリ10月6日号のP18に掲載されています。