103Nature Conservation on Yakushima Island :Kagoshima Prefecture’s Efforts
Hisae TOKUMARU
Nature Conservation Division, Kagoshima Prefectural Government
Kagoshima, 890-8577 Japane-mail: azalea@po.pref.kagoshima.jp

Abstract
The mountain area of Yakushima Island was inscribed on the World Nature Heritage List in 1993
because of its unique fauna, flora and landscape. The area is also conserved by national organizations under four types of nature protection systems. These are “wilderness areas,” “national parks,”“forest ecosystem reserves” and “natural monuments.” The Kagoshima Prefectural Government has also
been making some efforts for nature conservation on Yakushima Island according to the Yakushima
Environmental Culture Village Concept. These include establishment of a foundation, advancement ofenvironmental education, nature protection activities, and supporting NGO activities. Furthermore
Kagoshima Prefecture oversees the Yakushima Mountain Utilization Measure Council which is
expected to deal with current problems such as mountain facilities, overuse, eco-tourism and expenses.
Key words: forest ecosystem reserve, Kagoshima Prefectural Government, national park, naturalmonument, wilderness area, world nature heritage, Yakushima Environmental Culture
Village Concept, Yakushima Island, Yakushima Mountain Utilization Measure Council

Yakushima Island is located approximately 60 km
south of the southern-most region of Kyusyu, one ofJapans’ four main islands, between the East China Sea
and the Pacific Ocean. The Island belongs to
Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan, and is dividing two
administrative “towns”, Yaku-cho and Kamiyaku-cho.
The island’s area is approximately 500 square km

and it has a relatively circular perimeter of 132 km.
In the central part of the island, there is a mountain
range that contains over 45 mountains including Mt.
Miyanoura-dake 1,935 m above sea level, the highest
mountain in Kyusyu region in Japan (Figs. 1 & 2).
There are many rivers running down these mountains,
creating deep valleys. The climate is warm and rainy.
The average annual temperature in the plains is
19.1°C, and the annual precipitation is estimated to beover 4,000 mm in the plain areas, and 10,000 mm in
the mountainous areas.

Fig. 1 Mt. Miyanoura-dake.

Fig. 2 Inside views of forest of Yakushima Island.

1. Outline of Yakushima’s Landscape104

H. TOKUMARU

Yakushima Island abounds in Yaku-sugi (Cryptmeria japonica) trees (Fig. 3), which are thousands ofyears old and unique in the world, as well as many
plants, and animals, which are unique to the area
and/or endangered. It also contains a wide representation of species in vertical distribution, from species
seen on the coastal regions to those only seen in the
sub alpine region.
As for flora, there is a remarkable variety of plants
inhabiting in the island. They range from subtropical plants, such as the banyan tree (Ficus superba
var. japonica) near the seashore, and sub-tropical/
temperate plants, such as Machilus thunbergii, chinquapin (Castanopsis cuspidate) and evergreen oaks
further inland, to the temperate zone plants, such as fir
trees, Trochodendron aralioides, etc., and subalpine
plants such as Pseudosasa owatarii and rhododendron(Rhododendron degronianum var. yakushimanum)(Fig. 4), all of which show vertical distribution on theisland. Furthermore, there are natural old growthforests unique to Yakushima Island, in which many
old and giant Yaku-sugi reign solemnly. These
plants and trees show different vegetation from themainland of Japan, creating a unique forest ecosystem.
One to a geological quirk, there are over 1,900
varieties of plants and trees (including those that areendemic to the island) distributed over the island.
There are 94 endemic species that are in their
northernmost occurrence. The island is also extremely different from the mainland, missing most of
the mainland’s natural vegetation, such as Japanese
beech (Fagus crenata) and other temperate climate
deciduous, broad-leaved forests, while having over
600 varieties of mosses on such a small island.
Next, as for fauna, the island has various endemic
subspecies because of a rich and quasi-primitive
habitat produced by its environment in that the island
was separated from the Kyushu mainland some 1,500
years ago. This combination has produced various
subspecies, including Cervus nippon yakushimae(Fig. 5) and Macaca fuscata yakui (Fig. 6), that are
sub-endemic to the island. There are over 150
known species of birds on the island. Four of these.

Fig. 3 Yaku-sugi (Cryptmeria japonica: Jomon Sugi).

Fig. 4 Rhododendron degronianum var. yakushimanum.

Fig. 5 Cervus nippon yakushimae.

Fig. 6 Macaca fuscata yakui.

Nature Conservation on Yakushima Island : Kagoshima Prefecture’s Efforts
species, including Turdus celaenops and Erithacus
akahige tanensis, are sub-endemic to the island.
Within these 150 species, there are also four species,
including erithacus komadori and columba janthina,that are designated natural monument of Japan.
There are also 15 species of reptiles, eight species ofamphibians, and approximately 1,900 species of insects which are confirmed to inhabit the island, making this small island extremely abundant in fauna for
its size.
Lately, with increasing public awareness of nature
conservation, it is admitted that the unique ecosystemand the extraordinary natural scenery of YakushimaIsland have supreme value globally. Therefore, thecentral area of the island was inscribed on the World
Nature Heritage List in December 1993, based on theWorld Heritage Convention. The area was deemed“an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in theevolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water,
coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities ofplants and animals.” It was also deemed to “containsuperlative natural phenomenon or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.”
On the other hand, Yakushima Island has a long
history of inhabitation, due to its own climate and richnature. In medieval times, it was considered an important strategic point for shipping and transportationroutes. In more recent times, primary industry(agriculture, forestry and fisheries) has been one of the
key factors supporting the economy of the island(Fig. 7). Therefore, while interaction has taken place
between the islanders and outsiders, there has been aharmonious coexistence between nature and people on
the island (Fig. 8). Currently, there are small villages
scattered on the seashore, with a total population of
approximately 13,707 residents (as of 2000). As fortransportation links to the Kyushu mainland, air andsea (ferries and jetfoils) routes are open and in use.

2. Nature Conservation System ofYakushima’s Heritage Area
The nature conservation system of the island is
extremely complex. Before the island was inscribedon the World Nature Heritage List, almost the identical area of the island had been generally conserved
under four types of nature protection systems that hadstrictly different purposes, different areas, different
jurisdictions, and different regulations. These were
“wilderness areas”, “national parks”, “forest ecosystem reserves” and “natural monuments”. The outlineof each system is as follows.
2.1 Wilderness areas
A “wilderness area” is defined as an area that fulfills the following conditions: it has not been affected by the activities of men; it has preserved a primitive condition; it is of a considerable area in size; and105Fig. 7 Forestry is basic industry of Yakusima Islands.

Fig. 8 Natural products used by local people.

there is a particular need for its natural environment tobe conserved. When a particular area fulfills thesecriteria, it is designated and managed as a “wilderness
area” by the Minister of Environment, Government ofJapan, according to the Nature Conservation Law.
The Hanayama district within the Yakushima
mountains area was designated the Yakushima
Wilderness Area in May 1975, based on the aforementioned law. All of the Yakushima Wilderness
Area is included in the Heritage Area.
Activities such as construction of buildings, fellingof trees or bamboo, collection of animals and plants,
collection of fallen leaves and branches, making fires
and engaging in other activities that may have an
adverse effect on the conservation of the natural environment, are prohibited in this area except in certain
special circumstances, such as academic research.
2.2 National parks
The aim of national parks is to protect scenic
beauty and also to promote the use of areas, andsimultaneously to contribute to people’s health, recreation and enlightenment. National Parks are designated and maintained by the Minister of Environment,
Government of Japan, in accordance with the Natural

106

H. TOKUMARU

Parks Law.
The entire Heritage Area, excluding the Wilderness
Area, has been designated the “Kirishima-Yaku
National Park” in accordance with the aforementioned
law.
There are two distinct areas: the Special Zone andthe Special Protection Zone. The Special Zone holds
importance from both conservation and usage perspectives, and activities such as construction of buildings and felling of trees require the approval of the
Minister of Environment. The Special Protection
Zone aims for strict conservation of the core-areas ofparks. Aside from regulation of the Special Zone,
activities such as collecting or harvesting animals orplants, collecting fallen leaves and branches, making
fires, etc., require the approval of the Minister of Environment. These delineations are set according to
the Protection Plan drawn up for each national park,
and the parks are regulated according to thesedelineations.
Furthermore, to conserve nature, and simultaneously to promote its appropriate use, walking paths,
shelters, etc., are constructed according to nationalpark usage plans.
2.3 Forest ecosystem reserve
A “forest ecosystem reserve” is an area establishedand managed by the Forestry Agency, Government ofJapan, based on national forest management rules.
Its goals are to maintain natural environments consisting of forest ecosystems, to protect plants and animals,
to preserve gene pools, to advance technology offorest management, and to contribute to academic
research, etc., conserving areas with a substantial
amount of old growth forests, that represent the forest
zone in Japan. The central area of Yakushima Island
was designated the Yakushima Forest Ecosystem Reserve in March 1992, based on the above-mentioned
rules. The Preservation Area is that which shows themost primeval state of the forest in the reserve andthat calls for strict maintenance of the forest ecosystem. Aside from academic research and emergency measures taken during times of natural disaster,changes are basically left up to natural succession
without human disturbance. In the Conservation andUtilization Zones, which serve as a buffer to prevent
environmental change outside the reserve from directly affecting the forest in the Preservation Area, noforestry operations for the purpose of timber production are conducted, yet, according to the natural conditions, educational use or recreational use that does notaccompany large-scale development may be
conducted.
Almost all of the Yakushima Forest Ecosystem Reserve overlaps the forest within the Heritage Area.
2.4 Natural monuments
The Minister of Education and Science, under the
Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, candesignate certain animals and plants (including habitat
areas, breeding grounds, migration grounds and natural habitats) and geological minerals (including areasthat have extraordinary natural phenomena) that are ofhigh academic interest in Japan and are particularly
important as “natural monuments”. Among naturalmonuments, those of special importance can be
designated “special natural monuments”.
Within the Heritage Area, the Yakusugi Old
Growth Forest is designated a special natural monument. Of the animal and plant species inhabiting thearea, the following four species are designated naturalmonuments: Erithacus komadori, Columba janthina,
Turdus celaenops, and Iijima warbler Phylloscopus
iijimae.
Activities that may change current condition ofthese natural monuments, or activities that may havean effect on their conservation, require approval of theCommissioner for Cultural Affairs.
The Heritage Area will be managed through close
collaboration among the administrative bodies concerned with the aforementioned systems: the Ministryof Environment, Forest Agency, Agency for Cultural
Affairs, Kagoshima Prefecture, Yaku-cho andKamiyaku-cho.
To promote more effective cooperation and collaboration for the management of the Heritage Area,
the “Yakushima World Heritage Area Liaison Committee” was established as a forum for coordinationand communication among the administrative bodies.
The committee will promote mutual cooperation andcollaboration, as well as manage the Heritage Area ina unified, appropriate and smooth manner.

3. Yakushima Environmental Culture
Village Concept
Before Yakushima Island was inscribed as a World
Natural Heritage, Kagoshima Prefecture had designated Yakushima a model area for regional/ community development in symbiosis with nature in theYakushima Environmental Cultural Village Concept,
and formulated the master plan for the Yakushima
Environmental Culture Village as a guideline forregional development. Based on the Master Plan,
Kagoshima prefecture has been promoting an array ofmeasures in cooperation with the central government,
local municipalities and local residents. The Master
Plan was created on the basis of discussion held inthree study groups at the national, prefectural andisland level, which included involvement of eminent
scholars, relevant institutions and local residents.
The orientation of the regional development outlinedin the Master Plan serves as an essential guideline not
only for Kagoshima Prefecture, but also for the relevant institutions and parties concerned with the nature
conservation and regional promotion of Yakushima.
Fundamental guidelines and the project scheme for
the Yakushima Island Environmental and Cultural

Nature Conservation on Yakushima Island : Kagoshima Prefecture’s Efforts
Village are shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. The major
points of emphasis in the work undertaken by
Kagoshima Prefecture are the establishment of theYakushima Environment Culture Foundation as theparent body for the promotion of the Environment
Culture Village Concept, and the construction of theYakushima Environment Cultural Village Center(YECVC) – a visitor center (Figs. 11 & 12) – and theYakushima Environmental Culture Learning Center(YECLC) (Fig. 13) to serve as core facilities forenvironmental studies and education (Fig. 14).
The YECVC is the key facility that provides

107

comprehensive information, guidance and exchange
opportunities. It introduces the nature and culture ofYakushima Island through wide screen movies andregular exhibitions, gives information about environmental studies and displays special products. The
YECLC is the key facility for environmental studies
of nature on Yakushima Island. It offers various environmental study seminars on the importance of symbiosis among people, nature and environment presservation (Fig. 15). The center responds to requests byoffering training courses and providing guides andvolunteers for visitors.

Fig. 9 Fundamental guidelines for Yakushima Island Environmental and Cultural Village. The master plan for
Yakushima Island Enviromental and Cultural Village was drawn up in November, 1992.

108

H. TOKUMARU

Fig. 10 Project Scheme for the Creation of Environmental and Cultural Village.

Fig. 11

Yakushima Environmental Cultural Village
Center (bird’s-eye view).

Fig. 12Yakushima Environmental Cultural Village
Center (exhibition room).

Nature Conservation on Yakushima Island : Kagoshima Prefecture’s Efforts

Fig. 13 Yakushima Environmental Culture Learning Center(bird’s-eye view).

109

3.1 Yakushima nature experience seminars
These seminars are open to everyone from school
children to adults regardless of home prefecture.
Seminars are held once a month usually with aschedule of three days and two nights. They are
genuine environmental study programs focusing on
outdoor activities by the sea, along rivers and in themountains.
Each seminar differs in theme, type of participants
and content, so participants are invited accordingly
from all over Japan. In addition, other seminars arealso open for islanders with a schedule of two days
and one night.
Every seminar is planned and coordinated bypermanent staff of the Yakushima Island Environmental Culture Foundation (described later), andcarried out by well-trained instructors. Residents of
the island join seminars occasionally as instructors of
traditional lifestyles of the island.
3.2 Yakushima short programs
These are one to two hours study programs open toanyone. They offer an opportunity to get basic knowledge about the environment on Yakushima and areavailable for even single participants. They are held
once every Saturday and Sunday, and once a day
during the summer vacation.
3.3 One-day study programs
These are nature observation outings or study
meetings for local parents and children. Held six
times a year, they are joint programs held by the
Ministry of Environment and the local authorities
Kamiyaku-cho and Yaku-cho.

Fig. 14 Location map of YECVC and YECLC.

3.4 Independent environment study programs
These programs are offered as part of the educational activities for elementary and junior high school
children, or at the request of eco-tour organizers andothers who are involved in environmental activities.
Visitors choose a program from those offered at the
Learning Center.

4. Yakushima Island Environmental Culture
Foundation

Fig. 15 Yakushima Environmental Culture Learning Center(lecture room).

The Yakushima Island Environmental Culture
Foundation was inaugurated in March 1993 by
Kagoshima Prefecture, Yaku-cho and Kamiyaku-cho.
The foundation is the central organization devoted tothe promotion of the “Yakushima Island Environmental and Cultural Village.”
In order to preserve the nature of Yakushima and tocreate a new community coexisting with nature, thefoundation implements various projects such as nature
protection activities and Environment preservation
support projects. The foundation is also commissioned by Kagoshima Prefecture to manage andoperate the YECVC and YECLC.

110

H. TOKUMARU

4.1 Environment preservation support programs
In order to protect the Jomon Cedar from theimpact of increasing visitors, as a result of their touching the bark, climbing the branches, making bonfires
and so on, the Foundation assists with mountain patrols, distribution of educational pamphlets to mountain climbers, mountain path maintenance, etc.
4.2 Nature protection activities
Activities include raising Yakushima Rhododendrons from seed to sapling to return to the forest, andcultivating shade plants to protect loggerhead turtles.
4.3 Environmental education programs
Organizing various seminars (described above).
4.4 Cultural Projects
Publishing the “Yakushima Report,” organizing
and participating in events commemorating the designation as a World Nature Heritage Site, and other projects designed to introduce the activities of the Foundation both inside and outside Kagoshima Prefecture.
4.5 Management and operation of the corefacilities
The Foundation is managing the core facilities,
YECVC and YECLC, entrusted to by Kagoshima
Prefecture.

5. Kagoshima International Conference on
World Nature Heritage
Kagoshima Prefecture hosted the Kagoshima International Conference on World Nature Heritage(KICWNH), with the UNESCO World Heritage
Center as cosponsor, in May 2000. The heads of the
19 local governments gathered in Kagoshima city andYakushima Island from 13 countries. This conference enabled local governments to share experiences and lessons with each other, and to send out aclear message to the international community in theform of the Yakushima Summit Declaration, which
outlines the paths that local governments should follow in the 21st Century in order to ensure conservationof World Nature Heritage Sites and promote regional/
community development making sustainable use of
the World Nature Heritage.

6. Yakushima Mountain Utilization Measure
Council
The Kagoshima Prefectural Government has joined
forces with the World Nature Heritage Council to
implement various measures based on the Environmental Cultural Village Concept.
Furthermore
Kagoshima Prefecture controls the Yakushima Mountain Utilization Measure Council. It also makesplans, implements and cooperates with specific projects such as educating mountain climbers in proper

etiquette and the protection of the Jomon Cedar,working together with the ranger office of the
Ministry of Environment, Forest Management Officeof the Forestry Agency, police stations, and relevant
local authorities including town offices, tourism
associations and the Cultural Village Foundation.
The Council holds four meetings annually where
discussions take place on the following: (1) contentsof pamphlets, brochures and posters for teachingetiquette; (2) schedule and roles and responsibilities
for monitoring the environment surrounding the
Jomon Cedar during the peak season; and (3)installation of temporary toilets.
Recently, opinions have been expressed that thiscouncil should not limit its activities to specific projects alone but should also deal with the preservationof the natural environment of Yakushima as a whole,so discussions should take place on political endeavors, institutional improvement and basic principles.
This is attributed to the fact that this council is responsible for the preservation of the natural environment of the whole mountain area, not limited to theWorld Nature Heritage Area alone. Most of theparties involved in natural environment preservation
participate, and the council meets frequently.
However, the current problem of preserving
Yakushima’s natural environment is complex, including the maintenance of mountain trails, improvementof facilities for treating sewage, countermeasuresagainst over-usage of the area, and appropriate ecotourism. In solving these problems, institutional
improvements consisting of a legal system and financial resources should be taken into consideration.
This means unprecedented measures are required.
No time has been set yet for discussing these issues
in the future.

7. Current Problem of Preserving
Yakushima’s Natural Environment
The followings are the auther’s views on some, but
not all, of the issues in relation to natural environmental preservation on Yakushima. Please understand that these are mostly the auther’s personal views
since there have not been in-depth discussions onthese matters in the past, and each relevant organization has its own different perspectives.
Firstly there is the problem of facilities such as
mountain paths and shelters in mountainous areas including the World Nature Heritage Area. Mountainpaths were, with a few exceptions, created naturally
by climbers. Therefore who is responsible for theirmaintenance has not been established. This has
resulted in great devastation of vegetation and damage
to root systems. Due to the increasing number ofclimbers, paths have widened and subsequently
collapsed.
According to investigations by
Kagoshima University, the number of climbers fromJanuary 2000 to December of the same year wasNature Conservation on Yakushima Island : Kagoshima Prefecture’s Efforts
approximately 46,000. Improvements have been
made by the Kagoshima Prefectural Government withsubsidies from the Ministry of Environment. It isnecessary to consider making long-lasting paths thatare in harmony with nature. According to the systemwe established in 2001, the Ministry of Environment,
which is responsible for national parks, hires local
mountain guides to carry out maintenance such as cutting grass and repairing wooden paths and ladders.
However, due to limited budgets, it is impossible tocover the whole mountainous area. In addition, since
the effective term of this system is limited, there areproblems of securing future financial resources forcontinuation of the project. Based on the past two
years of “mountain path maintenance projects,” indepth working manuals have been compiled by local
guides and others who are involved.
The mountain shelters do not have toilet facilities.
Wastes buried or discharged around huts have thepotential for causing eutrophication that could damage
natural vegetation or pollute mountain streams. The
introduction of water-powered treatment systems isurgently required.
Secondly, there is also the problem of overuse.
The estimated number of 46,000 climbers is concentrated in the vacation months between May and August.
Furthermore, most follow the same route to the Jomon
Cedar or Mt. Miyanoura, the highest peak in Kyushu.
Since there is only one mountain climbing route in use,the opinion has been raised to limit the number ofclimbers. According to other opinions, climbers
should be dispersed to less used routes. On the other
hand, other people say, there is no need to regulate thenumber of climbers because of the limited number oftransportation routes. There is a natural limit to thenumber of climbers.
Some people say that we should establish an act
obliging climbers to register in order to avoid
disasters. Both Yaku-cho and Kamiyaku-cho haveexpressed an idea to install a manned-gate at thestarting point of each trail to check climbers with thejoint goals of improving their manners and securing

111

their safety. According to this year’s amendmentsof Natural Parks Law, it is now possible to regulate
off-limits areas or the number of climbers in nationalparks. In dealing with measures against overuse,
there will need to be various discussions with different
perspectives based upon these opinions and institutional features.
Thirdly, there is a problem of quality and fee
systems for guides resulting from the increasing
demand for eco-tourism. The number of eco-guides
has increased to about 80 from 10 at the time of thedesignation of Natural Heritage Site. Because there
is no official qualification system, some have pointed
out that the quality of some of the guides is inquestion. As for the guide fees, general opinion says
they are too expensive. In addition, fees vary
widely; from a flat fee of approximate $125.00 per
climber per day, to approximate $250.00 per guide per
day which is divided among a number of climbers.
Dealing with the quality of guides, some say thatguides should be required to acquire a minimum levelof technical skills and knowledge. As for fees, thecontents and quality of services must be clarified tohelp users to make a choice. As a part of the supporting projects of the Environmental Cultural Village
Foundation, we have already established a study
workshop where the guide system is being discussed.
We are now discussing what local guides can do bythemselves.
The last problem is about the expense. In orderto implement solutions to the problems mentioned
above, financial resources are needed. Specifically,
climbers should pay a fee for entering the mountains.
This point will be discussed when the abovementioned matters are considered. The Kagoshima
Prefectural Government has also been conducting
basic research with the view of collecting fees tovisit the island of Yakushima.

(Received on 7 March 2003, Accepted on 4 July 2003)