Japan’s OECM and related policy

In December 2022, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted, marking a major shift in global biodiversity policy. In response, Japan revised its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, setting the goal of achieving a nature-posivite^※1 by 2030, including the 30by30 target to effectively conserve at least 30% of land and sea areas as healthy ecosystems by 2030. Achieving this will require not only expanding protected areas such as national parks, but also accelerating the establishment of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)​ 
In Addition, the importance of biodiversity and natural capital is increasing in corporate management, alongside growing attention to the TNFD (the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures).​
　※1 Halting and reversing biodiversity loss to put nature on a path to recovery​
More information on Japan’s initiatives toward the 30by30 target, please check here 3030emap.pdf​

The 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity, a multi-stakeholder platform, was launched aims to strengthen its member's area-based conservation activities and disseminate leading examples contributing to the 30by30 target. As of April 2026 more than 1000 organizations from various sectors (such as companies, local governments and NGOs) have joined the Alliance, and the number is growing.​
Alliance members contribute to the 30by30 target in diverse ways, reflecting their respective capacities and roles. Members that own or manage land advance area-based conservation, including OECM certification and the expansion of protected areas, while other members contribute through partnerships, expertise, financing, and enabling actions that support on-the-ground conservation.

To achieve 30by30 we have introduced a flexible scheme of OECMs that enables wider opportunities of engagement for a broader range of stakeholders. In that scheme we have certified “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites”, or in short “Kyosei sites”, meaning “Nature Harmony Sites” in Japanese, that contribute to biodiversity conservation through activities by companies, local governments and NGOs, etc. ​
We conducted a trial certification scheme in 2022 and started the full operation of the scheme in 2023. 569 sites have been certified as of March 2026.​
These areas which do not overlap with protected areas are registered on the World Database as OECMs.​
As of March 2026, 282 sites, covering 54.5 thousand hectares, are recorded on the WD-OECM.​
A variety of actors have been engaged in the certification scheme. More than half of the applicants are private companies.​

Recently, biodiversity and natural capital have become increasingly important in the management of companies, in conjunction with the focus on the TNFD. In fact, we have received many more applications than we had expected for the “Kyosei sites,” and there is a great deal of interest in biodiversity conservation in Japan, especially among companies. ​
To further accelerate this momentum, it was necessary to ensure the stability and continuity of the certification system. In addition, while the existing system focused on sites with rich biodiversity, realizing nature positive also requires restoration and creation of biodiversity in degraded ecosystems or previously developed sites.​
Against this background, the existing certification system was formalized through legislation, and the Act on Promoting Activities to Enhance Regional Biodiversity was enacted to further promote the activities of companies and other entities.​
Overview of the Act on Promoting Activities to Enhance Regional Biodiversity, please check here 905R629.pdf

Promote activities to enhance biodiversity^※2 in the region​
1. Establish a certification system for enhancement activity implementation plans^※3​
① Companies etc. prepare “enhancement activity implementation plans” that contribute to the conservation, restoration, and creation of biodiversity, which the competent minister examine for certification. (*The form of these plans are designed to be also usable for information disclosure such as TNFD)​
② Municipalities can take the lead in coordinating activities with various local entities and prepare “collaborative enhancement activity implementation plans” and apply to competent minister.​

The scope of the act is:
A. Activities to maintain the high biodiversity conservation value
→　These sites have biodiversity conservation values that meet the criteria of OECM
B. Restoration or creation activities in degraded ecosystems or previously developed sites
→　Through the implementation of the activity plans, these sites are expected to gain biodiversity conservation values

The sites where certified activities are implemented are called “Kyosei Sites”.

(2) Establish an agreement system
Those municipalities, etc. certified as ② may enter “biodiversity maintenance agreements” with landowners and other relevant parties, enabling the activities to be implemented on a long-term, more stable basis.

※2 "Enhance biodiversity" means to maintain, restore, or create biodiversity in this act. 
※3 Enhancement activity plans
In the enhancement activity plan, goals as ecological status to be achieved should be set based on the current ecological status and issues at each site. And the plan of activities necessary to achieve the goals are described.

 

(1) Key Features & Main Functions
・Expert and impartial review of applications for the designation of Kyosei Sites
・Evaluation from the perspectives of biodiversity conservation, restoration, and creation
・Provision of advice based on scientific knowledge and on‑the‑ground practical experience

(2) Characteristics of Committee Members (22 members in total)
・Multidisciplinary expertise, covering ecology, forestry, agriculture, river and coastal systems, and urban ecosystems with backgrounds in academia, research institutions, NGOs, and regional practice

　　　　
　　　　　

(3) Review Process
・Each site will be reviewed by a group of 3-4 members with appropriate expertise, taking into account the ecosystem type and other characteristics of the site.
・The review process includes presentations by applicants, followed by question-and-answer sessions with committee members, and a comprehensive review by the committee.

The IUCN methodology forms the backbone of the criteria of ”Kyosei sites”. The structure of the criteria was reflected, and the components were referred to from the IUCN guideline, while some adjustments were made to better adapt to Japanese national context. The adaption was supported by the national expert meetings where experts discussed criteria that would match the nature and culture of Japan.

To promote activities at "Kyosei sites" and enhance the quality of site management, we are implementing various support measures to provide continuous assistance for these activities.

※7
・Biodiversity Visualization Map
　https://www.biodiversitymap.env.go.jp/
・Navigation Website for “Kyosei sites”
　https://biodiversitymap.env.go.jp/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=169ea90aa9a643a7b406fd9a57ccb441&page=SC-2004


■Certificate Scheme of Support for Japan’s OECMs 
Japan launched the Certificate Scheme of Support for “Kyosei sites” in 2025. Under this scheme, supporters can obtain a "Certificate of Support" when they offer human, financial or technical support for biodiversity conservation activities in “Kyosei sites”. It is expected that these certificates will be used for disclosures such as the TNFD aligned reporting and  investor relations. In addition, Mach Making Website has been launched to promote matching between “Kyosei sites” and parties wishing to provide support.

※8 Mach Making Website https://policies.env.go.jp/nature/biodiversity/30by30alliance/kyousei/matching/index.html

An example of Issued Certificate of Support



A list of issued certificates of support is available on the website below.
https://policies.env.go.jp/nature/biodiversity/30by30alliance/kyousei/certificate/ichiran/index.html
English versions of the certificates are also posted on the detail page for each case.