VOL. 143 APRIL 2020 Living in Harmony with Nature 6 12 Coexistence with Biological The Jellyfish that Saved an Diversity Aquarium An interview with Torii Toshio, Director Kamo Aquarium in Tsuruoka City General of the Nature Conservation is home to one of the world’s biggest Bureau, Ministry of the Environment. collections of jellyfish. 8 The Waterfall Cherry of Miharu An ancient weeping cherry is the star attraction of the spring in Miharu Town. 14 Love of Animals Connects Japan and Uganda Features Zoos in Yokohama have contributed to the conservation of wildlife and environmental education in Uganda. 10 Toki in the Skies of Sado Once in danger of extinction, the toki of Sado Island have returned to the wild. 4 22 24 PRIME MINISTER’S POLICY-RELATED NEWS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIARY Host Towns’ Ties with the Level Crossings for Deer Also World COPYRIGHT © 2020 CABINET OFFICE OF JAPAN WHERE TO FIND US The views expressed in this magazine by the interviewees Tokyo Narita Airport terminals 1 ● JR East Travel Service Center (Tokyo Narita Airport) ● JR Tokyo Station Tourist and contributors do not necessarily represent the views of Information Center ● Tokyo Tourist Information Center (Haneda Airport, Tokyo Metropolitan Government the Cabinet Office or the Government of Japan. 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Copyright inquiries Foreign Press Center/Japan ● Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan ● Delegation of the European Union to Japan should be made through a form available at: ● Waseda University ● Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University● Ritsumeikan University ● Kokushikan University ● University of Tsukuba ● Keio University ● Meiji University ● Osaka University ● Kyushu University ● Kyoto www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/mailform/inquiry.html University ● Tohoku University ● Nagoya University ● Sophia University ● Doshisha University ● Akita International University ● International University of Japan 2 | highlighting japan ISSUE 143, APRIL 2020 Theme for APRIL: LIVING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE t the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties 16 to the Convention on Swimming Jewels Biological Diversity (COP10) Nishikigoi, large ornamental carp (koi) of A held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Japanese origin, are now found in ponds in 2010, the Parties agreed around the world. a global vision of biological diversity, a world of “Living in Harmony with Nature.” We 20 take a look at some examples of The Blessings of Wa-Herb The plants of Japan known as wa-herb add Japan’s rich biodiversity and at flavor to food and support people’s lives in ways in which people in Japan many ways. have interacted with nature to conserve it, helping to achieve that global vision. 18 The Beauty of Oze Preserved The flowers in the marshland of Oze National Park continue to bloom as always despite many challenges. 26 28 30 MY WAY SHALL WE DANCE? A TRIP BY LOCAL TRAIN Ikebana’s Potential to Making Connections through Tokyo Tramway Beckons Branch Out Tap Dance Day Trippers PRODUCTION The Japan Journal ON THE COVER MANAGING EDITOR Sawaji Osamu Living in Harmony with Nature EDITORS Alex Hendy, Chiba Hitoshi, Fujita Mao Photo: Courtesy of Sado Kanko Photo EDITORIAL SUPPORT Kiura Eriko CONTRIBUTORS Kyoko Kato, Sasaki Takashi, Sato Kumiko, Sugiyama Mamoru, Umezawa Akira DESIGN Imai Mei, Okadome Hirofumi EDITORS’ NOTE PHOTOS Aizawa Tadashi, Itabashi Yuichi, Kato Kyoko, Tanaka Satoshi Japanese names in this publication are written in Japanese order: VIDEOGRAPHY Tanaka Satoshi family name first, personal name last. APRIL 2020 | 3 Prime Minister’s Diary PRIME MINISTER ABE RECEIVES A COURTESY CALL FROM DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY his appreciation to the coopera- tion of the IAEA in decommis- sioning the TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station while mentioning Director Gen- eral Grossi’s visit to the Nuclear Power Station scheduled for Feb- ruary 26th. In response, Direc- tor General Grossi stated that he respects Japan’s efforts to pro- ceed with the reconstruction of Fukushima and decommission of the nuclear power station in a compatible manner, and he also stated that the IAEA would con- tinue to cooperate with Japan. Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call With regard to the situation surrounding nuclear issues of n February 25th, 2020, the IAEA and stated that the North Korea and Iran, Prime Min- Prime Minister Abe IAEA has been in a close relation- ister Abe stated that he has been OShinzo received a cour- ship with Japan and he would placing emphasis on the roles of tesy call from H.E. Mr. Rafael like to continue this relationship the IAEA and added that the Gov- Mariano Grossi, Director Gen- into the future. Director General ernment of Japan would continue eral of the International Atomic Grossi also stated that he respects its close cooperation with the Energy Agency (IAEA). former Director General Amano IAEA in this regard. In response, Prime Minister Abe welcomed Yukiya and he visited Japan early Director General Grossi gave an Director General Grossi’s first visit to show such attitude. explanation on recent activities to Japan after assuming the office Prime Minister Abe expressed by the IAEA. and stated that he would render assistance to the fullest extent to the endeavor of the IAEA led by him as well as he did during former Director General Amano Yukiya’s tenure. In response, Director General Grossi expressed his gratitude for the assistance from Japan to the initiatives of Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call Photographs and text courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Cabinet Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan 4 | highlighting japan Feature LIVING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE Living in Harmony with Nature To help achieve the global vision of biological diversity and a world “Living in Harmony with Nature” — decided ten years ago at COP10 with targets for 2020 — Japan has formulated the National Biodiversity Strategy and is promoting measures to conserve biological diversity and endangered species through laws such as the National Parks Law and the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. At the private and individual levels too, efforts continue to conserve Japan’s rich biodiversity while using it and enjoying it in the same ways as always. Japan’s expertise in wildlife conservation and love of nature is also being shared with people overseas. Photo: Courtesy of Oze Preservation Foundation APRIL 2020 | 5 Feature LIVING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE Coexistence with Biological Diversity Torii Toshio, Director these climates and geographical conditions, Japan General of the Nature Conservation Bureau, has a natural environment rich in biological diver­ Ministry of the sity. There are over 90,000 species already known Environment in Japan. If unknown species are also included, the total number is estimated at 300,000. The Japa­ nese archipelago is separated from the Eurasian continent by sea, so one distinct feature of the environment is a large number of endemic species that only live in Japan. For example, around 80% of amphibians and around 40% of land mammals are endemic. By international standards, this is a very high proportion. The famous Japanese mon­ keys that soak themselves in snowy hot springs are also an endemic species, and Japan is the only developed country where wild monkeys live. What kind of lifestyles have Japanese people had t the tenth meeting of the Conference in this rich natural environment? of the Parties to the Convention on Bio­ Although rice has been farmed in Japan from long Alogical Diversity (COP10) held in Nagoya, ago, because there is little flat land, people also Aichi Prefecture in 2010, a global vision of bio­ lived close to the forests and did other farming. logical diversity towards a world “Living in Har­ They acquired household fuel, building materi­ mony with Nature” was decided. We asked Torii als, food and other materials needed for daily Toshio, Director General of the Nature Conserva­ life from nearby forests. These areas where peo­ tion Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, about ple live in close communication with nature are Japan’s biological diversity and how it is being known by the Japanese word satoyama. There conserved. are also living things in these satoyama that rely on the actions of humans to stay alive. For exam­ Please tell us about the general characteristics of ple, the endangered Asian fawnlily lives in forests Japan’s natural world and biological diversity. that are thinned by humans, allowing sunlight to The Japanese archipelago extends a great distance enter in the early spring. There are also many spe­ north to south from subarctic Hokkaido to the cies living in ponds of water for agricultural use, subtropical Nansei Islands and Ogasawara Islands. including dragonflies and other insects, frogs and It also has a complex variety of geographical fea­ other amphibians, and species of fish. In pasture­ tures, varies greatly in height above sea level, and land, such as the Aso area of Kumamoto Prefec­ has considerable rainfall and snowfall. Due to ture, each early spring locals set fire to the fields Photo: Aizawa Tadashi 6 | highlighting japan in a process of controlled burning. This controlled measures to conserve biological diversity and Coexistence with burning prevents pastureland from being taken endangered species through existing laws such as over by shrubs and trees, and also happens to the Natural Parks Law and the Law for the Con­ Biological Diversity create an environment in which endemic species servation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna such as butterflies and wildflowers can live. and Flora.