Iriomote cat
The Iriomote cat has been designated a natural monument by the Okinawa government. On May 15, 1972, along with the recovery of Okinawa, it was nationally recognized as a natural monument. On March 15, 1977, it was given special status amongst natural monuments, and in 1994 with the Species Protection Act, it was designated as a . This act was adopted on January 28 and enacted on March 1.