Directory of Protected Areas in East Asia - IUCN

3.2.3 Macau Special Administrative Region of China
No protected areas
3.3 Japan
IUCN Category Number of protected areas Area (ha)
Category Ia 8 24,446
Category II 15 1,295,988
Category IV 29 477,610
Category V 13 752,239
Total 65 2,550,283
Natural World Heritage Sites
Name Latitude/Longitude Area (ha)
Date of
inscription
Shirakami-Sanchi 40°27’N/140°07’E 16,971 1993
Situated in the mountains of northern Honshu, this trackless site includes the last remains of the virgin
cool-temperate forest of Siebold’s beech trees that once covered the hills and mountain slopes of northern
Japan. The black bear, the serow and 87 species of birds can be found in this forest.
Yakushima 30°20’N/130°30’E 10,747 1993
Located in the interior of Yaku Island, at the meeting point of the palearctic and oriental biotic regions,
Yakushima exhibits a very rich flora, with some 1,900 species and subspecies, including ancient specimens of
the sugi (Japanese cedar). It also contains a remnant of a warm-temperate ancient forest, unique in the region.
Ramsar Sites
Name Latitude/Longitude Area (ha)
Date of
inscription
Akkeshi-ko and Bekambeushi-shitsugen 43°03’N/144°54’E 4,896 1993
Principal features: Akkeshi Lake is a brackish water lake with inflow from the Bekambeushi River, and a
connection to the sea via a narrow channel. The lake is 11m deep at the deepest point, and is surrounded by
wetlands and plateaux. Some areas of salt marsh occur around the lake. Bekambeushi Mire occurs at the mouth
of the river. The mire is composed of extensive fens and some bogs along the basin of the river. Bekambeushi
Mire maintains the balance of underground water and control floods, as well as supporting the fishery of oysters
and clams in Akkeshi Lake.
Conservation issues: Within the site, the state owns the land around the publicly- owned lake. Surrounding areas
are owned by the state, town and private parties. Current land use at Akkeshi Lake includes fishing and
aquaculture, while tourism and forestry activities occur at Bekambeushi Mire. Surrounding areas also support
these activities. Research is conducted on the condition of Grus japonensis habitat and the state of the bog. A
possible deterioration of lake water quality may result from land reclamation and aquaculture, and from tree
felling and the inflow of raw sewage from livestock farms in the catchment. A Hokkaido Wetland Protection
Master plan is in preparation.
89
Places