Environment

1. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America), and entered into force in 1961. As of January 2026, the Treaty has 58 Parties.
2. The Antarctic Treaty applies to the area south of 60 degrees South Latitude. The Treaty contains the following principal provisions:
   • Peaceful use of Antarctica (including prohibition on establishing military bases and carrying out military maneuvers) (Article 1)
   • Freedom of scientific investigation and promotion of international cooperation (Articles 2 and 3)
   • Freeze of territorial claims (Article 4)
   • Prohibition on nuclear testing and radioactive waste disposal (Article 5)
   • Inspection to ensure compliance with the Treaty (Article 7)
   • Convening of meetings to consult on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica and to formulate measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Treaty (Article 9)
3. Japan is an original signatory to the Antarctic Treaty and has been fulfilling its responsibilities as a Consultative Party since concluding the Treaty on 4 August 1960.

1. Adopted in 1991 and entering into force in 1998, the Protocol aims to provide comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and its ecosystems. The Protocol has the following six Annexes:
   • Environmental impact assessment (Annex I)
   • Conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora (Annex II)
   • Waste disposal and waste management (Annex III)
   • Prevention of marine pollution (Annex IV)
   • Area protection and management (Annex V)
   • Liability arising from environmental emergencies (Annex VI) (not yet in force)
2. Japan deposited its instrument of accession with the Depositary Government (the United States) on 15 December 1997.
3. Japan enacted the Law relating to Protection of the Environment in Antarctica as its domestic legislation implementing this Protocol on 28 May 1997. Except for specific activities such as fishing, it became mandatory for the operator of any activity in Antarctica to submit an application to the Minister of the Environment and receive confirmation.

1. Among the Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, 29 countries that conduct substantial scientific research activities in Antarctica, such as establishing scientific stations, regularly hold Consultative Meetings under the Antarctic Treaty to discuss matters including the exchange of information and the promotion of international cooperation. These Parties are referred to as Consultative Parties.
2. The Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) is held concurrently with the ATCM to provide advice and formulate recommendations to the Parties in connection with the implementation of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
3. To date, the ATCMs have adopted over 500 Recommendations, Measures, Decisions and Resolutions. Many of them are concerned with the protection of the Antarctic environment, the designation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, and technical matters relating to Antarctic research activities. Others relate to the operation of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat and regulatory measures concerning Antarctic tourism. In addition, Special Consultative Meetings have been convened to address specific issues, leading to the adoption of instruments such as the “Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources” and the “Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.” These measures and conventions adopted under the Antarctic Treaty and other agreements concerning Antarctica are collectively known as the “Antarctic Treaty System.”
4. The Consultative Meeting is hosted by Consultative Parties on a rotating basis. Japan has previously hosted the 6th meeting in Tokyo in 1970 and the 18th meeting in Kyoto in 1994. Japan will host the next meeting in Hiroshima in 2026.

In recent years, the number of tourists visiting Antarctica has been increasing (6,000–7,000 until the late 1990s, over 10,000 around 2000, currently exceeding approximately 100,000 annually). Discussions have been focusing on how to respond to this issue from the perspectives of: (1)impact of tourism on the Antarctic environment, (2)appropriate management of tourism in the Antarctic region, and (3) potential interference with scientific activities conducted in Antarctica.

Among the Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, there are seven countries - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom that maintain territorial claims on parts of Antarctica, some of which overlap. Other countries, including Japan, do not recognise any claim. All positions are acknowledged under the Antarctic Treaty in order to address matters of common interest without exposing these differences.

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Czechia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea (ROK), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Austria, Belarus, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Korea (DPRK), Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela