National Park systems: [1] Definition of National Parks
National Parks are prominent natural landscapes (including seascapes) that are sufficiently representative of the landscapes of Japan and that have been designated pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Natural Parks Law by the Minister of the Environment.
National Parks come within the scope of the Natural Park system. Natural parks consist of National Parks as well as Quasi-National Parks and Prefectural Natural Parks.
Differences among National, Quasi -National, and Prefectural Natural Parks
[National Parks]
- Designating party
- Minister of the Environment
- Requirements for designation
- Must constitute a landscape that is representative of Japan relative to the places with the same type of landscape as well as constitute a prominent natural landscape that can be introduced to the world with pride.
- Governing law
- Natural Parks Law
- Party responsible for administrative management
- Ministry of the Environment
[Quasi-National Parks]
- Designating party
- Minister of the Environmen
- Requirements for designation
- Must constitute a prominent major natural landscape comparable to the landscape found in Natural Parks.
- Governing law
- Natural Parks Law
- Party responsible for administrative management
- Prefectural governments
[Prefectural Natural Parks]
- Designating party
- Prefectural governors
- Requirements for designation
- Must constitute a prominent natural landscape that is representative of landscapes at a prefectural level.
- Governing law
- Prefectural ordinances
- Party responsible for administrative management
- Prefectural governments