Birds native to Japan include cranes, storks, swallows and sparrows. These are among the birds of Japan which can be seen in prints by artists such as Hokusai. Wildlife includes deer, bears, mink, otters, squirrels and other small animals. The macaque monkeys of Honshu are famous as a tourist attraction. The Environment Agency was established in 1971 to tackle these problems.
Japan has a framework to deal with all environmental and conservation issues.
Houses, temples and castles and other traditional buildings were made from wood. The Horyuji Buddhist Temple near Nara is said to be the world's oldest wooden building. Timber buildings, though at risk from fire, are less of a hazard in earthquakes. Japan's modern buildings are designed and built so that they can withstand earthquakes, sometimes by allowing movement and flexibility. The traditional house was built with sliding room dividers as internal walls and its interior design is very clear and uncluttered.