[Policies & Programs] Nature Conservation in Japan
4. Wilderness Area and Nature Conservation Area
4.1 Category
  

Minami-Iwojima Wilderness Area
Minami-Iwojima Wilderness Area

Onnebetsudake Wilderness Area
Onnebetsudake Wilderness Area

The Nature Conservation Law, which provides the basic frames for nature conservation, is to protect and manage natural resources and natural ecosystems in cooperation with other related laws.

In accordance with this Law, following areas are established.

  • Wilderness Area:
    Area that preserves and maintains its original characteristic ecosystems without any influence of human activities.
  • Nature Conservation Area:
    Natural area that preserves and maintains its valuable natural ecosystems characterized by:
    (a) Alpine and subalpine vegetation
    (b) Valuable natural forests
    (c) Typical landscape, geology and natural phenomena
    (d) River, lake, marsh, and sea coast with valuable wildlife
    (e) Marine area with valuable wildlife
    (f) Habitats of plants and animals maintaining good natural environment being comparable to (a)-(e)

  • Prefectural Nature Conservation Area: Area that preserves and maintains valuable natural environment at the prefectural level, but does not include marine areas.

 

[Policies & Programs] Nature Conservation in Japan
4. Wilderness Area and Nature Conservation Area
4.2 Designation
  

Wilderness Areas and Nature Conservation Areas are designated by the Director General of the Environment Agency after conferring with related governmental agencies and consulting with the Nature Conservation Council. Prefectural Nature Conservation Areas are designated by the Governor of the Prefecture concerned

Wilderness Areas and Nature Conservation Area  

Item Number Area (ha)
Wilderness Area 5 5,631
Nature Conservation Area 10 21,593
Prefectural Nature Conservation Area 516 73,405
As of March 31, 1995

[Policies & Programs] Nature Conservation in Japan
4. Wilderness Area and Nature Conservation Area
4.3 Zoning for Protection of Ecosystems
  

 

[Policies & Programs] Nature Conservation in Japan
4. Wilderness Area and Nature Conservation Area
4.4 Scientific Survey
  

Scientific Survey (Sakiyamawan Nature Conservation)
Scientific Survey
(Sakiyamawan Nature Conservation Area) 		In order to make sure of the strict protection and management of the designated areas and to increase public awareness on nature conservation, the comprehensive scientific survey have been undertaken in such areas since 1980 by the Environment Agency. All Wilderness Areas and Nature Conservation Areas have already extensively surveyed by Japanese top scientists team organized by the Environment Agency. In Minami-Iwojima, for example, some of new species and species which were believed to have been extinct were identified.

Wilderness Area    Total : 5 areas 5,631 ha.

District Prefecture Area (ha) Land ownership Data of designation Features of
natural
environment		 Remarks
Onnebetsudake Hokkaido 1,895 National forest Feb. 4, 1980 Alpine vegetation mainly composed of creeping pines No
entry-restricted zone
Head of River Tokachi Hokkaido 1,035 National forest Dec. 28, 1977 Virgin forest of silver fir and fir tree No
entry- restricted zone
Head of River Ooi Shizuoka 1,115 National forest Mar. 22, 1976 Temperate zone conifer forest and subarctic zone conifer forest No
entry- restricted zone
Minami Iwojima (Island) Tokyo 367 National forest May 17, 1975 Tropical and subtropical vegetation, geographical features eroded by wave, sea birds All areas designated as entry restricted zone (on June 24, 1983)
Yakushima (Island) Kagoshima 1,219 National forest May 17, 1975 Temperate zone evergreen broadleaved forest mainly composed of natural cedar and pasania No
entry- restricted zone
As of February 1, 1992
Nature Conservation Area Total : 10 areas 21,593 ha.
District Prefecture Area (ha) Land ownership Data of designation Features of
natural
environment		 Remarks
Ohirayama Hokkaido 674 National forest Dec. 28, 1977 Natural forest of beech trees (Fagus crenata) located close to the northern limit, Limestone rock vegetation. All areas designated as special zone and wildlife protection zone.
Shirakami sanchi Aomori, Akita 14,043 National forest Oct 7 , 1992 The largest natural beech forest in Japan. Valuable flora and fauna, e.g. Black woodpecker Part of areas designated as special zone and wildlife protection zone
Hayachine Iwate 1,370 National forest May 17, 1975 Alpine and subalpine vegetation, characteristic vegetation of Serpentine's mountain area, Vertical distribution of beechtree's zone to alpine zone vegetation. All areas designated as special zone. Part of them designated as wildlife protection zone.
Wagadake Iwate 1,451 National forest May 21, 1981 Beech tree forest, Natural forest of "mountain recess oak" (Qleerdus monolica ver.) , creeping pine forest, permanent snowfield vegetation. All areas designated as special zone and wildlife protection zone.
0sabiyama Tochigi 545 National forest May. 16, 1981 Alpine and subalpine vegetation, Natural beech forest. All areas designated as special zone.
Head of River Tone Gunma 2,318 National forest Dec. 28, 1977 Alpine low tree forest, beech trees, Natural forest of Quereus mongolica var., permanent snowfield vegetation, snowbridge zone's characteristic vegetation All areas designated as special zone and wildlife protection zone.
Sasagamine Ehime, Kochi 537 National forest and private forest Mar. 31, 1982 Beech tree forest, "Shikoku-Shirabe" (evergreen conifer belonging to pine species) All areas designated as special zone. Part of them designated as wildlife protection zone.
Shiragadake Kumamoto 150 National forest Mar. 21, 1980 Natural beech forest located close to the southern limit distribution. All areas designated as special zone.
Inaodake Kagoshima 377 National forest May 17, 1975 Evergreen broad-leaved forest mainly composed of witch-hazels and "Urajiro oaks" (belonging to beech tree's species) All areas designated as special zone.
Sakiyamawan (Bay) Okinawa 128 Sea Surface May 28, 1983 Large communities of "Azami" coral, coral reef All areas designated as marine special zone.
as of February 1, 1994
 
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Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan