On August 14, the international NGO Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) released the results of a survey on awareness of whaling in Japan. For this survey, JWCS was in charge of commissioning a survey with a Japanese market research company on behalf of WDC. The online survey was conducted by a market research company with 1,000 people who are registered as respondents, and answered a questionnaire online. Respondents were split equally across gender and age groups, and the number of respondents was determined based on the population distribution of each regional block. All generations clearly turning away from whale meat When asked about whether they had purchased whale meat in […]

Japan’s Fisheries Agency decided to include fin whales in its list of species for commercial whaling, and was inviting comments on the matter until June 5th. JWCS has submitted the following comment: Opinion: We are against adding fin whales to the list of species subject to commercial whaling. Reasons are as follows: 1. Endangered species should not be exploited commercially Fin whales are an endangered species listed as VULNERABLE (VU) on the IUCN Red List. The estimated number of mature individuals in 2018 was 100,000, about 45% of the 1940 level. Although the population has started to increase since whaling was reduced, it is still at a level that requires […]

According to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, by the end of July 2023, there were 56 fatal accidents caused by bears, the highest number in the same period since 2010. In years when the number of bear infestations is high, human casualties tend to increase, especially in October, and this year, the Tohoku region is expected to have a poor harvest of acorns, which are eaten by bears before they hibernate, so caution is being urged. As part of the Wildlife College 2023 curriculum, JWCS held fieldwork in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture on August 5th and 6th to learn about damage prevention and conservation caused by Asiatic black bears. […]

The joint open letter to WHO from the NGOs（COVID-19: Health risks and wildlife markets – the need for a permanent global ban on wildlife markets and a highly precautionary approach to wildlife trade） April 7 is World Health Day. 241 organizations worldwide, including JWCS, have called on WHO. ・Recognize the global health risks of demand for wildlife and its products, ・Closure of live wildlife markets, ・Amendments to WHO’s 2014-2023 Traditional Medicine Strategy, ・Securing protein sources to replace wild animals　etc. Demand for wildlife and its products is a major cause of the outbreak and spread of zoonotic diseases. #banwildlifemarket ＃COVID19

World NGOs and individuals, including JWCS, have urged WHO, OIE and UNEP to encourage governments across the world to introduce and enforce legislation to close wildlife markets. The current corona virus epidemic sweeping across parts of China is believed to have originated in wildlife. Previous global epidemics have also been associated with wildlife markets.  Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is reported to have spread to humans via wild mammals commonly traded live in Chinese markets. The Ebola virus epidemics in West and Central Africa are thought to have originated from bats. many such animals are also traded live in wildlife markets in the countries in which the outbreaks first occurred. […]

Under the revised Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has set take off effect since 1st June 2018. Live individuals: The operation of amendment of Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora  A validity period of 5 years was established for the registration. Registration card must be transferred together with an individual organism listed in CITES Annex I when it is transferred or delivered. There were some case of young pet animals sold as “pre-regulation”.This means that it was owned before listed in Annex I. It is getting important on how to distinguish age of popular pet animals. There are several laws related […]