As a collaborative study between volunteer students from Hong Kong University and Japan Wildlife Conservation Society, we conducted an awareness survey of university students in Hong Kong, Macau and Japan. The results of the survey show that both region’s students oppose the use of endangered species and need alternatives. In other words, it may indicates that consumers will accept the change of raw materials from endangered species, which are difficult to purchase for pharmaceutical companies, to alternatives. Evaluating the Public Knowledge on the Use of Endangered Species in Producing Traditional Medicines The Endangered Species Traditional Medicines project team from the University of Hong Kong Japan Wildlife Conservation Society A questionnaire […]

Japanese government called for public comment on the proposal that seven endemic species would be listed in CITES Appendices III. Those species, genus Goniurosaurus and Anderson’s crocodile, whose exports are regulated by Laws. But there are bought and sold in overseas pet markets. JWCS agreed the inclusion of those species in Appendices III and requested further list up. And we requested consideration of addition of CITES regulations other species of similar concern from IUCN Red list . “Results of soliciting opinions on publication in Appendices III of CITES” (Japanese) There were only 6 opinions. 4 opinions agreed with listing in Appendices III. There was no opinion against the listing. The […]

The domestic ivory market ban was decided at CITES in 2016. But ivory products are still sold in Japan. JWCS has created a short video calling on Japanese consumers to close the ivory market.

JWCS has participated in this campaign for the closure of the Ivory Domestic Market, aimed at CITES CoP18 in August. Tens of thousands of elephants are slaughtered every year for their tusks. From 2007 to 2014, 144,000 elephants were killed across Africa, an elephant every 15 minutes of every single day. This is fuelled by the demand for ivory across the world, including Japan, but also shockingly the EU. Against overwhelming public opinion, the EU commission still refuse to ban the ivory trade within the EU. Furthermore, they are planning to reject steps to award elephants the greatest possible protection at an upcoming wildlife trade conference next month. Help us […]

Joint Statement NGOs call on Japanese Government to: Comply with CITES and Stop Distributing Sei Whale Meat   At the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in October 2017, the Japanese government was questioned about the legality of bringing specimens of sei whale from the sea (“introduction from the sea” defined by CITES). Japanese NGOs urged the Japanese government to comply with CITES and stop distributing sei whale meat.

March 20, 2018  Joint demanding letters of the NGOs Appeal to Immediately Cease Yahoo! Japan’s Elephant Ivory Advertisements and Sales