Based on the World Conservation Union (IUNC)-classified Red List of Threatened Species, which shows endangered species at risk of extinction in different ranks, the Japanese government has published the Red Data Book, which is a detailed Japan version covering all endangered species as of FY2006. Also, the review of the listed species was conducted for necessary revisions for four categories, including birds. According to the Red Data Book, reflecting the results of the said review, the ratio of threatened species on the verge of extinction in Japan is slightly more than 30% for reptiles and amphibians, slightly more than 20% for mammals, brackish water or freshwater fish and vascular plants, and slightly more than 10% for birds.

Furthermore, 73 species have been designated as national endangered species of wild fauna and flora pursuant to the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, including 4 species of mammals, 39 species of birds, 5 species of insects, and 19 species of plants.

Comprehensive reviews have been conducted over the zoning of park areas as well as park plans of national and quasi-national parks. As a result, an access-control district has been designated for the first time (for Yoshino-Kumano National Park). Also, Kuchinoerabujima Island has been incorporated into the park areas of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park. In addition, nine animal species have been designated as species subject to capturing permission in special zones, for the purpose of strengthening capturing controls.

In accordance with the Invasive Alien Species Act, three species, including Bombus terrestris, have been newly added to the list of designated invasive alien species, resulting in the list now having a total of 83 species.

The Wildlife Protection and Proper Hunting Law has been partially amended to review some hunting regulations. For example, some of the special exemptions as to hunting designated species in temporary hunting prohibited areas have been approved and the hunting license has been reconstituted to divide the license of “netting and trapping” into the “netting” license and the “trapping” license. Also, for the purpose of improving the quality of habitats in wildlife protection areas, institutional development of nature conservation programs has been implemented.

In response to the recent frequent appearances of wild bears in human habitations, the manual for preparedness for appearances of wild bears was published in March 2007, for the purpose of promoting measures to discourage wild bears from coming to human habitations, reduce damages to be caused by wild bears and appropriate management of wild bears.

A survey on wild birds was conducted in response to the outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza that started in January

Figure 5-6-2: Locations of the Nature Restoration Committees Nationwide

Name	Date of establishment
①	Nature Restoration Committee for the Arakawa Taroemon District	H15.7.5
②	Nature Restoration Consulting Committee for Kushiro Marsh	H15.11.15
③	Nature Restoration Committee for Asahata Water Detention Area in the Tomoegawa Basin	H16.1.29
④	Nature Restoration Committee for the Source of Tamagawa River	H16.3.5
⑤	Committee for Nature Conservation and Utilization of the Kounoyama Mountain	H16.5.25
⑥	Nature Restoration Committee for Kashibaru Marsh	H16.7.4
⑦	Nature Restoration Committee for the Fushino River Estuaries and Tidal Flats	H16.8.1
⑧	Nature Restoration Committee for the District of Tamura, Okijuku and Tosaki in the Kasunigawa region	H16.10.31
⑨	Nature Restoration Committee for the Kunugiyama Mountain area	H16.11.6
⑩	Nature Restoration Committee for Yawata Marsh	H16.11.7
⑪	Kami Sarobetsu Nature Restoration Committee	H17.1.19
⑫	Nature Restoration Committee for the Area of Detention Ponds No. 1 and No. 2 of the Nogawa River	H17.3.28
⑬	Nature Restoration Committee for Gamou Tidal Flat	H17.6.19
⑭	Nature Restoration Committee for the Foothills of Mt. Moriyoshi	H17.7.19
⑮	Nature Restoration Committee for Takegashima Marine Park	H17.9.9
⑯	Nature Restoration Committee for Aso Grassland	H17.12.2
⑰	Nature Restoration Committee for Sekisei Lagoon	H18.2.27
⑱	Nature Restoration Committee for Tatsukushi	H18.9.9

Source: Ministry of the Environment

2007. Through the on-site investigation carried out by government staff and specialists as an emergency measure, the inhabitation status of wild birds and the status of their infection with influenza were examined.

Under the Law for the Promotion of Nature Restoration, 18 new Nature Restoration Committees have been established as of the end of March 2007, initiating efforts toward nature restoration.

As part of the efforts to promote international cooperation for securing biodiversity, Japan chaired the International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium and the ICRI General Meeting as a host country of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in October 2006. Also, to promote further international cooperation in migratory waterbird conservation across the Asia-Pacific region, the Japanese and Australian governments jointly took the initiative to establish Partnership for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway in November 2006. Also, in January 2007, it was approved by the Cabinet that Japan would file its candidacy for host of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

For the purpose of developing people’s love of nature, their respect for interpersonal relationships and their understanding of the significance of harmonizing with nature, programs to encourage people to communicate with nature have been promoted.