The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
1. About CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement with the aim of ensuring the survival of specimens of wild animals and plants through international trade regulation.
2. Japan's Contribution
(1) Basic Policy
Japan's basic policy on the protection of wildlife includes appropriate measures based on "sustainable use of natural resources." This is a principle which balances the exploitation and use of wildlife resources and conservation of the environment and biodiversity.
(2) Activities
Since becoming a Party of CITES in 1980, Japan has participated in various meetings under CITES. In particular, Japan hosted COP8 in 1992 in Kyoto and has been elected a member of the Standing Committee three times (once as a host country of COP (1989-1994), twice as a Representative of Asia (1994-2000 and 2004-the end of COP15)). Ambassador Nobutoshi Akao chaired the Standing Committee from 1994 to 1997.
(3) Assistance to the Convention
In addition to being the second largest contributor to the Convention among the Parties, Japan also makes project-based voluntary contributions such as to the Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) project, developing identification manuals, assistance to COP, regional meetings in Asia as well as workshops for specified species, etc.
(4) Reservations
Currently Japan makes a reservation to nine species of whales listed in Appendix I based on the objective assessment that the stock of these species is above a sustainable level. Four species which were listed in Appendix II at COP12 (2002) and COP13 (2004) are also included in the reservation by Japan due to insufficient scientific data to be judged as a threatened species.
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