(formulation of post-2010 targets $ ^{1} $ ). In January 2010, Japan has proposed the incorporation of promotional measures to the convention office, which are the promotion of conserving, restoring and creating good quality rivers, harbors and costal environments as well as wooded areas and water side spaces in urban districts.

## (2) Revision of national biodiversity strategy

Due to the implementation of the Basic Act on Biological Diversity that obligated the nation to formulate a national strategy in 2008, “the $ 3^{rd} $ National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan” formulated based on the Convention on Biological Diversity was revised. In March 2010, the Cabinet has approved the statutory “National Biodiversity Strategy 2010”.

### 2. Formation of Wealth and Beautiful River Environment

## (1) Preservation and formation of favorable river environments

## 1 ) Promotion of diversified natural river development and natural regeneration

Taking diversified natural river development as the fundamental of river development, while ensuring the safety of flood control, best efforts are being put into preservation and creation of habitation and reproduction environments for organisms and diversified river scenery. In addition, utilizing the “guidance on river development for fishes to swim upstream easily”, the development of fish ladders is being pushed forward throughout the country. Moreover, in order to restore the original appearance of rivers with diversified natural environments, natural regeneration projects (e.g. the restoration of sand bars and marsh regeneration) are being pushed forward in 37 river systems (e.g. Kushirogawa and Arakawa) throughout the country.

Furthermore, various types of investigation and research are being carried out through the cooperation of experienced experts and different institutes, such as the riverside census and measures carried out by the Aqua Restoration Research Center with the world's best experimental waterway (about 800m by extension).

## 2 ) Promotion of measures against exotic breeds

Exotic breeds are one of the great threats to the preservation of biological diversity. The regions being inhabited by exotic breeds in rivers is expanding throughout the country and it is a problem affecting the ecosystem. As a measure against this situation, the “view and sample case of measures against exotic breed in rivers” was made and measures against exotic breeds are being implemented in every region.

## (2) Measures for restoring the water volume of river

For preserving a favorable river environment, it is important to ensure sufficient water volume. Therefore, the necessary flow volume is determined in the fundamental river management policy with consideration for the habitats and reproduction environments for animals and plants, scenery, and water quality and best efforts are being made to maintain the water volume. Additionally, measures for restoring clear streams in the lower water-reducing districts with dams for hydraulic power plants are being taken. Moreover, in order to preserve and improve the river environment of lower streams with dams, flexible dam management or management trials are being performed by using part of the flood control volume effectively in a range that does not affect flood control (implemented in 16 dams in the country in FY 2009). Furthermore, in urban rivers with decreased normal natural flow, the river flow volume is being restored through channeling processed water from sewage processing plants.

## (3) Promotion of measures for comprehensive sediment control from mountains to coastal districts

Recently, there has been concern over the change in river environments caused by changes in sand flow and sand supply reduction to the sea, as well as the coastal erosions through changes in coastal floating sand flow being speeded up by climate change. Therefore, measures for consistent and integrated sand management from mountains to coastal districts are being pushed forward with the cooperation of related institutions. To be specific, in order to deal with the problems caused by sand flow in streams, dams, rivers and coasts, partnership reinforcements aiming to formulate the principle for business partnerships with related institutions is being worked on.