PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT: What measures have been taken to preserve the natural environment?

	What measures have been taken to preserve the natural environment?
	In Japan there are 28 national parks and 55 "quasi-national parks," which have been set up to protect the natural environment. In 1980 Japan became a signatory to the Washington Convention, which protects wild animals, and the Ramsar Convention, which protects marshland flora and fauna, especially waterfowl. Kushiro Marsh in Hokkaido and Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, which are famous waterfowl habitats, have been designated as special protection districts. In 1992 Japan became a party to the World Heritage Convention approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Several locations in the country are on the World Heritage List of natural properties, including the Shirakami mountain range in the Tohoku region and the island of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture. In 1993 a law came into force that prohibits the capture, killing, and sale of endangered native species of plants and animals; 54 such species, including the Iriomote wildcat and the Japanese crane, have been cited as facing extinction and in need of protection. There is also an active national trust campaign to protect the natural environment, particularly areas that are of scenic or historic significance. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.