Tigers (Panthera tigris) are native to temperate regions of Asia, including Siberia, China, and South East Asia with only 5,100 to 7,500 wild tigers remaining worldwide. Tigers are listed as critically endangered and international trade in tigers and tiger parts is prohibited by Appendix I of CITES. Since the beginning of 1990’s, poaching and illegal trade of tiger and tiger parts have been so rampant that the effectiveness of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was questioned. Currently, the most common threats to tigers include habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting, and illegal international trade for traditional medicine and souvenirs.

        Each year in Japan, tiger bone, tiger penis, and medicines containing tiger parts are illegally imported. Although the trade of tiger bone products that are mass-produced in the Chinese factories is decreasing in Japan, the trade of dried penis or penis wine made domestically in the shops is increasing. This proves that there is still a certain demand for tiger products among the people in Japan.

         Japanese legislation passed in 1993 banned imports of tiger products, but until recently the sale of such products was still permitted, creating a loophole for smugglers. In January 2000, the Japanese government passed new legislation that added tiger bone, tiger reproductive organs, and products derived from these substances to the list of products regulated by the government. Although these are steps in the correct direction, more steps must be taken to ensure the conservation of tigers.