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Biodiversity-related Laws and Policies
Information on laws and policy documents on biodiversity in Japan is provided. Some other related laws could be found at MOE-J website or Japanese Law Translation Database System website under the Ministry of Justice.
Basic Principles for Biodiversity Conservation
Basic Act on Biodiversity (Act No. 58 of June 6, 2008)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
The purpose of this Act is to set fundamental principles for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in line with the basic principle of the Environment Basic Act (Act No. 91 of 1993), to clarify the responsibility of the government, local governments, businesses, citizens and private bodies, and to promote policies for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in a comprehensive and planned manner by developing the National Biodiversity Strategy and prescribing other matters that serve as a basis of policies for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, thereby conserving rich biodiversity, and to aim at realizing a society in coexistence with nature where human beings can continue enjoying benefits therefrom in the future and to contribute to conserving the global environment. (Article 1)
Area/Species Designation for the Conservation of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Natural Parks Law (Act No. 161 of 1957)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
This Act shall aim at the protection of the places of natural scenic beauty and also, through the promoted utilization thereof, at the contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity as well as to the health, recreation and culture of the people. (Article 1)
Nature Conservation Law (Act No. 85 of 1972)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
(No English Translation available)
Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Law (Summary)
(Wildlife Protection and Proper Hunting Act (Act No. 88 of 2002)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
The purpose of this law is to protect wildlife and rationalize hunting by:
- implementing projects to protect wildlife;
- preventing and controlling damage caused by wildlife to ecosystems, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and other human activities;
- preventing hazards caused by the use of hunting equipment.
These contribute to conservation of biodiversity, and development of the agriculture, forestry, fishery and other human activities. (Article 1)
Species Conservation
Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Act No. 75 of 1992)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
(No English Translation Available)
Act on Protection of Cultural Properties (Act No. 214 of 1950)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Agency for Cultural Affairs
(No English Translation Available)
Animal Welfare
Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (Act No. 105 of October 1, 1973)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
The purpose of this Act is to engender a spirit for animal welfare among citizens and contribute to the development of a respect for life and sentiments of amity and peace by providing for the prevention of cruelty to animals, the proper handling of animals and other matters concerning animal welfare, as well as to prevent animals from causing an infringement on the life, body or property of humans by providing for matters concerning the management of animals. (Article 1)
Restoration of Ecosystems or Habitats
Law for the Promotion of Nature Restoration (Law No. 148, December 11, 2002)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
This Law establishes the basic principles of nature restoration, defines the responsibilities of effecters, and stipulates necessary matters for the implementation of nature restoration, including the establishment of the Basic Policy for Nature Restoration. This is done for the purpose of pursuing the comprehensive implementation of measures concerning nature restoration, thereby securing biodiversity in support of efforts toward realizing a society that is in harmony with nature, and contributing to conservation of the global environment. (Article 1)
Prevention of Adverse Effects on Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Act concerning the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity through Regulation on the Use of Living Modified Organisms ?(Act No. 97 of June 18, 2003)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
This Act shall have the purpose of ensuring the precise and smooth implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, thereby contributing to the welfare of humankind and helping to assure healthy cultural lives for the people now and in the future, by devising measures to regulate the use of living modified organisms in order for the conservation and the sustainable use of biological diversity through international cooperation. (Article 1)
Invasive Alien Species Act (Law No. 78, June 2, 2004)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
This Law shall have the purpose of preventing Adverse Effects on Ecosystems caused by Invasive Alien Species (IAS) through regulating raising, planting, storing, carrying (hereinafter “Raising”), importing, or other handling of invasive alien species and through taking measures such as the mitigation of IAS by the national government and other entities, with the aim to help stabilize and improve national life through contributions to conservation of biodiversity, human safety and sound development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. (Article 1)
Environmental Education
Law for Enhancing Motivation on Environmental Conservation and Promoting of Environmental Education (Law No.130, Effective on July 25, 2003)
Administrative Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment
The purpose of this law is, in view of the importance of environmental conservation activities, encouragement of willingness for environmental conservation and environmental education by corporations, citizens, and private bodies organized by these entities for establishing a sustainable society that realizes sound economic development with reduced the environmental loads while maintaining a healthy and productive environment, providing a basic principle on environmental conservation activities, encouragement of willingness for environmental conservation and environmental education, clarifying the responsibilities of citizens and private bodies etc., the State, local governments, establish a basic policy and other necessary matters to encourage their willingness for environmental conservation and promote environmental education, thereby contributing to ensure healthy and cultured living for both the present and future generations of the nation.(Article 1)
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
The National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan 2012-2020
(English translation of the full text is not available. English Overview .)
The Third National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan (2008)
Private Sector Engagement
Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement in Biodiversity (2009)
(No English Translation Available)
Note:
Only the original Japanese texts of laws have legal effect, and the translations are to be used solely as reference material to aid in the understanding of Japanese laws and regulations.
For all purposes of interpreting and applying law to any legal issue or dispute, users should consult the original Japanese texts published in the Official Gazette.
You may also find some English information on Japanese biodiversity-related laws at ECOLEX.
Operated jointly by FAO, IUCN and UNEP, ECOLEX is a database providing comprehensive, global source of information on environmental law which was provided by governments, academia, including NGOs, companies and members of the public.
No warranty is made as to the results that may be obtained from use of ECOLEX, or as to the accuracy, reliability, currency or content of any information or service provided through EOLEX (see ECOLEX User Agreement).