Nobuhiko WAKAMATSU, Conservation Division

The year 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s accession to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the 50th anniversary of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, an international scientific program that aims to enhance the relationship between humans and their environment UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (hereinafter BR) is a community-based nature reserve for the balance of nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources and established in 1976 as a central part of the MAB Programme. Here we report on the current status and future of BRs in Japan.
*BRs in Japan are called “ユネスコエコパーク(UNESCO Eco-Parks)” to make them more familiar to local people.

History of BRs in Japan

At present, there are 10 BRs in Japan. The first was designated in 1980. At that time, Mr. Makoto Numata, who was also the chairman of The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J), was a member of the MAB committee and promoted BRs in Japan. However, there were no new BRs designated in Japan for over 30 years. After years of hibernation, BR in Japan re-emerged in 2012 with the designation of Aya BR in Miyazaki Prefecture. Throughout the country, many of the lucidophyllous forests had been cut down or destroyed though, Aya Town preserved a large area of forests. When Aya BR was designated, the Aya Lucidophyllous Forest Project which five public and private sectors including NACS-J, signed an agreement to work together for the protection and restoration of the surrounding secondary and planted forests, was especially valued.

In the past 10 years, six new sites including Aya BR have been designated, and NACS-J acted as a key promoter and supporter. Recent designations were Minakami BR and Sobo, Katamukiand Okue BR in 2017, and Kobushi BR in 2019.

The Minakami BR, in Gunma Prefecture, is in the uppermost basin of the Tone River, which supports the livelihoods of 30 million people who are about 80% of the Greater Tokyo Area. Akaya Project, one of the core efforts of this BR, is promoted in collaboration with NACS-J, the Kanto Regional Forest Office of the Forestry Agency, and the Akaya Project Regional Council which is an organization of local residents.

The Kobushi BR covers Okuchichibu main ridge, including Kobushigatake, which is the water source for major rivers, the Arakawa River, Tama River, Fuefuki River, and Chikuma River. This BR is characterized by nature conservation activities of many organizations and local residents who are conscious of the importance of forest management and an integrated water environment in the basin.

The Sobo, Katamuki and Okue BR is characterized by steep mountain terrain and beautiful valleys, and there are the highest mountains of Kyushu. The BR contains rich biodiversity is formed as the secondary natural environment with valuable animals and plants and their habitats.

BR Moving Forward to the Achievement of SDGs

Currently, 738 BRs in 134 countries are managed and operated under the “MAB Strategy (2015-2025)” adopted in 2015 and the “Lima Action Plan (2016-2025)” adopted in 2016. The MAB Strategy is aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations, and the Lima Action Plan outlines the actions for effective implementation.

The SDGs are international goals for a sustainable and better world by 2030, as stated in the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” adopted at the UN Summit in 2015. Consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets, the SDGs pledge to “leave no one behind” on earth. In Japan, this concept is becoming increasingly popular among local governments, companies, and other organizations.

NACS-J has been involved in the “UNESCO Future Co-creation Platform Project” commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to promote efforts to achieve SDGs in BR since July 2020. In this project, we plan and organize conferences and seminars to facilitate interaction between BRs to learn from each other to solve the problems they face. We also aim to collaborate with other UNESCO programs.

Bringing “Satoyama” and “Satoumi” as BRs

While BR activities in Japan are becoming more active, we are now challenging to aim for “Satoyama” and “Satoumi” sites as BRs. Satoyama and Satoumi are traditional Japanese rural landscape areas where people live and coexist with nature through the sustainable use of natural resources. Therefore, they may be in line with the fundamental principles of BR. However, at present in Japan, BR’s core area needs some protection regimes such as national parks, and only such protected areas and their surrounding areas can be designated.

NACS-J will seek a designation for Satoyama and Satoumi as proposing amendments of required regimes or rules to designate BR in Japan.