| Elephant Conservation and Japan Illegal Trade in Ivory Government Policy, Legislation, and Enforcement Action of JWCS |
| ACTION OF JWCS |
| Since elephants cause damage to crops and threaten human safety, some people insist that such animals should be killed and return some benefits to the local people by exporting ivory. But, under the uncertainty of politics and economics, any gains from international trade just falls into the hands of politicians and business related parties so that there is very little benefit to the local people in the end. The support for the local people should be based on the assistance of the measures effective to avoid the damage and for their basic needs. It is this technical and supply support that developed countries should take it into consideration urgently. People who benefit from ivory exports are Japanese ivory traders and a handful African politicians and influential persons in that region, while the real victims are elephants, the rich natural environment of the African Continent, and local people themselves. Further, the ivory trade has caused problems such as political corruption, disparity in the distribution of wealth, and funding for civil wars, where the money earned from ivory trading is used to purchase weapons. The issue of the resumption of the ivory trade symbolizes an unhappy relationship between development and human rights, and the natural environment. １．We presented the Japanese ivory trade history in the diplomacy with African nations and point out the actual situation brought about as a result of the trade. We protested against the ivory trade resumption. * From September 29th to October 1st , 2003 We have protested against the resumption of ivory trade at TICADⅢ（The third Tokyo International Conference on African） in the NGO booth. Note: TICAD is the international conference on development in Africa hosted by Japanese government in accordance with the U.N. Development Programme, Global Coalition for Africa (GCA) and World Bank. * October 5th, 2003 We have collected the signature and protested against the resumption of ivory trade by distributing leaflet to the NGOs, which joined the International Cooperation Festival. Note: “International Cooperation Festival” is the major annual event for government organizations, international organizations and NGOs which engage in international cooperation. * October 23, 2003 Mr. Sakamoto, Director of JWCS Secretariat contributed the article in the “My View” column of Asahi shimbun (morning paper). He argued about the trade of ivory, which is made from African elephant and how Japanese government and consumers deal with the ivory as well as the historical significance of ivory trade in the development of African nations. It successfully conveyed JWCS’s point of view to the public nationwide through newspaper. (REF. JWCS Newsletter No.35 Page 11). * August 6 2004 JWCS and Asian Conservation Alliance (ACA) raised the issue of and discuss about ivory trade at an international workshop toward CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) CoP13 in Tokyo, Japan. Journalists and officials from embassies attended. 2. JWCS submitted the request to the government with the signature of civil organization * November 2003 ? January 2004 JWCS distributed and mailed the leaflet to civil organizations, which have conducted activities in various fields such as international cooperation, environmental conservation and consumer issue and called for protest against the ivory trade resumption. After which, JWCS explained our key message to them over the phone. 53 organizations agreed with us. * March 2004 JWCS submitted the request to the government in cooperation with other organizations who consent with us. 3. Calling for the understanding from the public at the street campaign. * February 25, 2004 JWCS held street campaign at Yurakucho (busy district near Ginza) Tokyo. Established the big billboard (height 2mXweidth 1m) and called for preventing the public from being the consumer of ivory hanko by saying “Don’t buy ivory hanko”! About 800 people paid attention to our big billboard and we distributed the leaflet, which explained issues in resumption of ivory trade. The leaflet was received well since it was palm-size and had a cute campaign character on it, and it could be used as a postcard. We also asked to send the signature by signing backside of leaflet expressing their will against the ivory trade resumption. * March 2, 2004 JWCS held a street campaign at Rokugou-town, Yamanashi famous for hanko production and have distributed about 400 leaflets to the public in Kofu-city. * March 4, 2004 JWCS held street campaign at Umeda, Osaka and distributed about 700 leaflets to the public. * Earth Day , April 17, 18 2004 JWCS had a campaign in Earth Day event area. JWCS called for preventing the public from being the consumer of ivory hankos saying ‘Don’t buy ivory hanko.’ 4 JWCS compiled investigation reports and/or held the press conference and explained the actual situation of ivory trade which was clarified by JWCS independent investigation. * February 25, March 2nd, 4th 2004 JWCS compiled a report “Black and Grey ?Illegal Ivory in Japanese Markets- 2nd Edition” and held the press conference on the same day of each street campaign. Mr.Sakamoto, JWCS Secretary explained the ivory trade control system in Japan and reported the actual situation of ivory trade found by independent investigation. * November 2004 JWCS attended at the meeting of CITES CoP13 and distributed a technical report “Is the internal control of ivory trade of Japan after 2004 amendment in accordance with all requirements of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP12)?” *March 2005 JWCS submitted a technical report “Assessment of Japan’s internal ivory trade controls regarding cut piece” to CITES verification mission to assess Japan’s internal ivory trade controls. . |