Protected Forests (Japan)

Protected Forests (保護林, Hogo-rin) are areas of national forest in Japan so designated in an effort to conserve biodiversity. Japan's Protected Forest system includes three categories of protected forests: Forest Biosphere Reserves; Biotic Community Protection Forests; and Rare Population Protection Forests. Some of these national forests are linked by a network of Green Corridors that are also included in the system. Established in 1915, the system was overhauled in 2015 and expanded in 2019.

Background

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Forests cover approximately two-thirds of Japan, extending over some 25,000,000 hectares (62,000,000 acres); of this, according to the Forestry Agency (林野庁), c.54% is classed as "natural forest", "planted forest" comprising most of the remainder.[1] In terms of ownership, 58% of all forest is in private hands, state-owned "national forests" (ja) represent 30%, with the remaining 12% otherwise publicly owned, by prefectural and municipal governments, etc.[1]

Forest conservation measures have a long history in the country: according to the Yōrō Code of 718, "the benefits of mountain, river, grove, and marsh are for government and people alike", with two clauses prohibiting cultivation in the mountains and encouraging the planting of trees along riverbanks and beside dams to counter erosion, while in Kasugayama Primeval Forest (春日山原始林) in Nara, tree-felling and hunting have been forbidden since 841.[2][3]

Currently, forests are protected under a number of different systems and laws: as Natural Parks under the Natural Parks Act, Nature Conservation Areas under the Nature Conservation Act, Wildlife Protection Areas under the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Act, Natural Habitat Conservation Areas under the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, Special Seed Tree Forests (特別母樹林) under the Forestry Seeds and Seedlings Act (林業種苗法), Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties—and as Protected Forests and Green Corridors.[1][4]

Protected Forests date back to an ordinance of Taishō 4 (1915), with the first such forest established the following year, in Kamikōchi.[5][6] By 1932, there were 93 Protected Forests covering a combined area of 110,000 hectares (270,000 acres).[5] Demand for timber increased with post-war reconstruction, and the area protected had significantly decreased by the late 1950s and continued to fall through the 1960s.[5] In 1972, the Forestry Agency issued a new Protected Forest management plan, and in 1973 the area under protection increased 150%.[5] By 1988, there were 795 Protected Forests, covering an area of 166,800 hectares (412,000 acres).[5] In 1991, the National Forest Regulations were completely overhauled, with a renewed focus on function and use rather than classification based on species—the four types identified were National Land Conservation Forest, Natural Maintenance Forest, Space Utilization Forest, and Wood Production Forest—and in 2001 the Forests and Forestry Basic Act (森林・林業基本法) was fully revised in line with international trends towards sustainability; the nation's basic forestry strategy and management plan are developed in accordance with this Act.[1][5]

In 2015, a century after their institution, the Protected Forest system was revised, with the categories reduced from seven to three: (1) Forest Biosphere Reserve; (2) Biotic Community Protection Forest; and (3) Rare Population Protection Forest.[1][7][note 1] As of 1 April 2018, there were in total 666 Protected Forests, covering an area of 977,000 hectares (2,410,000 acres), approximately 4% of the total forested area of the country, and 13% of that represented by national forest.[8][9] As of 1 April 2019, a network of 24 Green Corridors, established to connect Protected Forests and facilitate interaction between discrete populations, represented a further 584,000 hectares (1,440,000 acres) of national forest.[1][10]

Protected Forests

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Forest Biosphere Reserves

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As of 1 April 2018, 31 Forest Biosphere Reserves (森林生態系保護地域) have been designated, covering an area of 701,000 hectares (1,730,000 acres).[8] Of these, four are also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as Natural World Heritage Sites: Shiretoko, Shirakami-Sanchi, Ogaswara Islands, and Yakushima, while Amami Islands, Yanbaru, and Iriomote have been nominated for joint inscription and are currently on the Tentative List.[8][11]

Forest Biosphere Reserve Designated Name Prefecture Area (km2) Image Coordinates Ref.
Shiretoko 知床森林生態系保護地域 Hokkaidō 459.89   44°20′09″N 145°19′49″E / 44.3359°N 145.3302°E / 44.3359; 145.3302 (Shiretoko) [1]
Kariba-sanchi Sukki River Source 狩場山地須築川源流部森林生態系保護地域 Hokkaidō 27.32   42°36′43″N 139°56′15″E / 42.6119°N 139.9374°E / 42.6119; 139.9374 (Kariba-sanchi Sukki River Source) [2]
Taisetsuzan 大雪山森林生態系保護地域 Hokkaidō 961.97   43°35′28″N 142°53′40″E / 43.5910°N 142.8944°E / 43.5910; 142.8944 (Taisetsuzan) [3]
Hidaka Mountains 日高山脈森林生態系保護地域 Hokkaidō 1679.68   42°43′10″N 142°40′58″E / 42.7195°N 142.6828°E / 42.7195; 142.6828 (Hidaka Mountains) [4]
Izari-dake Environs 漁岳周辺森林生態系保護地域 Hokkaidō 32.67   42°49′24″N 141°13′41″E / 42.8233°N 141.2281°E / 42.8233; 141.2281 (Mount Izari) [5]
Shirakami-Sanchi 白神山地森林生態系保護地域 Aomori, Akita 169.71   40°30′13″N 140°01′07″E / 40.5037°N 140.0187°E / 40.5037; 140.0187 (Shirakami-Sanchi) [6]
Osore-zan Mountains 恐山山地森林生態系保護地域 Aomori 55.38   41°18′29″N 141°05′15″E / 41.3081°N 141.0874°E / 41.3081; 141.0874 (Osore-zan Mountains) [7]
Mount Hayachine Environs 早池峰山周辺森林生態系保護地域 Iwate 81.45   39°33′30″N 141°29′16″E / 39.5583°N 141.4879°E / 39.5583; 141.4879 (Mount Hayachine Environs) [8]
Kakkonda RiverTama River Source 葛根田川・玉川源流部森林生態系保護地域 Iwate 93.91   39°54′07″N 140°41′40″E / 39.9020°N 140.6945°E / 39.9020; 140.6945 (Kakkonda River–Tama River Source) [9]
Mount KurikomaMount Tochigamori Environs 栗駒山・栃ヶ森山周辺森林生態系保護地域 Iwate, Miyagi, Akita 163.34   38°57′39″N 140°47′18″E / 38.9608°N 140.7883°E / 38.9608; 140.7883 (Mount Kurikoma–Mount Tochigamori) [10]
Asahi Mountains 朝日山地森林生態系保護地域 Yamagata, Niigata 605.22   38°15′39″N 139°55′16″E / 38.2607°N 139.9210°E / 38.2607; 139.9210 (Asahi Mountains) [11]
Mount Iide Environs 飯豊山周辺森林生態系保護地域 Yamagata, Fukushima, Niigata 294.45   38°15′39″N 139°55′16″E / 38.2607°N 139.9210°E / 38.2607; 139.9210 (Mount Iide Environs) [12]
Mount Azuma Environs 吾妻山周辺森林生態系保護地域 Fukushima 81.98   37°44′19″N 140°08′25″E / 37.7386°N 140.1403°E / 37.7386; 140.1403 (Mount Azuma Environs) [13]
Oku-Aizu 奥会津森林生態系保護地域 Fukushima 839.92   37°27′36″N 139°33′32″E / 37.4601°N 139.5589°E / 37.4601; 139.5589 (Oku-Aizu) [14]
Ogaswara Islands 小笠原諸島森林生態系保護地域 Tōkyō 55.79   26°40′26″N 142°09′13″E / 26.6738°N 142.1536°E / 26.6738; 142.1536 (Ogaswara Islands) [15]
Tone River Source–Hiuchigatake Environs 利根川源流部・燧ヶ岳周辺森林生態系保護地域 Niigata, Gunma 200.86   36°58′15″N 139°02′36″E / 36.9708°N 139.0432°E / 36.9708; 139.0432 (Tone River Source–Hiuchigatake Environs) [16]
Mount Saburyū Environs 佐武流山周辺森林生態系保護地域 Niigata, Nagano 127.92   36°46′20″N 138°40′15″E / 36.7721°N 138.6708°E / 36.7721; 138.6708 (Mount Saburyū Environs) [17]
Hakusan 白山森林生態系保護地域 Ishikawa, Gifu 149.14   36°09′50″N 136°46′22″E / 36.1640°N 136.7728°E / 36.1640; 136.7728 (Hakusan) [18]
Northern Alps (Kanakido RiverTakase River Source) 北アルプス(金木戸川・高瀬川源流部)森林生態系保護地域 Nagano, Gifu 80.99   36°26′46″N 137°44′01″E / 36.4462°N 137.7336°E / 36.4462; 137.7336 (Northern Alps (Kanakido River–Takase River Source)) [19]
Central Alps Mount Kisokoma 中央アルプス木曽駒ケ岳森林生態系保護地域 Nagano 18.13   35°47′22″N 137°48′16″E / 35.7895°N 137.8044°E / 35.7895; 137.8044 (Central Alps Mount Kisokoma) [20]
Southern Minami-Alps Mount Tekari 南アルプス南部光岳森林生態系保護地域 Nagano, Shizuoka 47.59   35°20′17″N 138°05′02″E / 35.3381°N 138.0839°E / 35.3381; 138.0839 (Southern Minami-Alps Mount Tekari) [21]
Ōsugidani 大杉谷森林生態系保護地域 Mie 13.91   34°12′40″N 136°09′03″E / 34.2110°N 136.1507°E / 34.2110; 136.1507 (Ōsugidani) [22]
Daisen 大山森林生態系保護地域 Tottori 31.90   35°22′41″N 133°32′59″E / 35.3781°N 133.5496°E / 35.3781; 133.5496 (Daisen) [23]
Ishizuchi Mountains 石鎚山系森林生態系保護地域 Ehime   33°46′06″N 133°06′51″E / 33.7683°N 133.1143°E / 33.7683; 133.1143 (Ishizuchi Mountains) [24]
Mount SoboMount KatamukiMount Ōkue Environs 祖母山・傾山・大崩山周辺森林生態系保護地域 Ōita, Miyazaki 59.78   32°49′40″N 131°20′50″E / 32.8279°N 131.3473°E / 32.8279; 131.3473 (Mount Sobo–Mount Katamuki–Mount Ōkue Environs) [25]
Aya 綾森林生態系保護地域 Miyazaki 14.85   32°01′47″N 131°10′17″E / 32.0297°N 131.1715°E / 32.0297; 131.1715 (Aya) [26]
Mount Inao Environs 稲尾岳周辺森林生態系保護地域 Kagoshima 10.45   31°07′28″N 130°53′10″E / 31.1244°N 130.8862°E / 31.1244; 130.8862 (Mount Inao Environs) [27]
Yakushima 屋久島森林生態系保護地域 Kagoshima 151.85   30°20′29″N 130°30′42″E / 30.3414°N 130.5117°E / 30.3414; 130.5117 (Yakushima) [28]
Amami Islands 奄美群島森林生態系保護地域 Kagoshima 48.20   28°15′38″N 129°21′58″E / 28.2606°N 129.3662°E / 28.2606; 129.3662 (Amami Islands) [29]
Yanbaru やんばる森林生態系保護地域 Okinawa 30.07   26°38′15″N 128°08′02″E / 26.6376°N 128.1339°E / 26.6376; 128.1339 (Yanbaru) [30]
Iriomote 西表島森林生態系保護地域 Okinawa 204.71   24°19′48″N 123°49′19″E / 24.3301°N 123.8219°E / 24.3301; 123.8219 (Iriomote) [31]

Biotic Community Protection Forests

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As of 1 April 2018, 95 Biotic Community Protection Forests (生物群集保護林) have been designated, covering an area of 236,000 hectares (580,000 acres).[8]

Biotic Community Protection Forest Designated Name Prefecture Area (km2) Image Coordinates Ref.
Mount Muine Environs 無意根山周辺生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 20.47   42°55′52″N 141°02′28″E / 42.9311°N 141.0411°E / 42.9311; 141.0411 (Mount Muine Environs) [32]
Mount Yūbari 夕張岳生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 14.49   43°06′00″N 142°15′04″E / 43.0999°N 142.2512°E / 43.0999; 142.2512 (Mount Yūbari) [33]
Shirikoma 知駒生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 12.33 44°57′31″N 142°09′03″E / 44.9587°N 142.1508°E / 44.9587; 142.1508 (Shirikoma) [34]
Wakasakanai 稚咲内生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 20.18 45°04′56″N 141°38′41″E / 45.0822°N 141.6448°E / 45.0822; 141.6448 (Wakasakanai) [35]
Lake Kutcharo クッチャロ湖生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 3.84   45°08′12″N 142°19′37″E / 45.1368°N 142.3269°E / 45.1368; 142.3269 (Lake Kutcharo) [36]
Rishiri Island 利尻島生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 44.46   45°11′11″N 141°14′27″E / 45.1863°N 141.2409°E / 45.1863; 141.2409 (Rishiri Island) [37]
Rebun Island 礼文島生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 23.91   45°23′43″N 140°59′14″E / 45.3952°N 140.9873°E / 45.3952; 140.9873 (Rebun Island) [38]
Taisetsu Primeval Forest 大雪原生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 5.27   43°32′09″N 142°59′20″E / 43.5359°N 142.9889°E / 43.5359; 142.9889 (Taisetsu Primeval Forest) [39]
Taisetsu Mountain Range Alpine Zone 大雪山系高山帯生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 13.40   43°42′58″N 142°50′38″E / 43.7162°N 142.8440°E / 43.7162; 142.8440 (Taisetsu Mountain Range Alpine Zone) [40]
Mount Shari 斜里岳生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 23.53   43°45′49″N 144°42′53″E / 43.7635°N 144.7147°E / 43.7635; 144.7147 (Mount Shari) [41]
Mount Unabetsu 海別岳生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 26.96   43°52′37″N 144°52′34″E / 43.8769°N 144.8762°E / 43.8769; 144.8762 (Mount Unabetsu) [42]
Bekanbeushi 別寒辺牛生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 24.12 43°06′08″N 144°50′54″E / 43.1023°N 144.8482°E / 43.1023; 144.8482 (Bekanbeushi) [43]
Mount Oakan 雄阿寒岳生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 37.59   43°27′14″N 144°09′53″E / 43.4540°N 144.1646°E / 43.4540; 144.1646 (Mount Oakan) [44]
Notsuke Peninsula 野付半島生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 3.01   43°36′12″N 145°16′08″E / 43.6034°N 145.2688°E / 43.6034; 145.2688 (Notsuke Peninsula) [45]
Mount Obira 大平山生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 5.11 42°38′14″N 140°08′10″E / 42.6373°N 140.1362°E / 42.6373; 140.1362 (Mount Obira) [46]
Mount Sengen 千軒岳生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 9.58   41°34′45″N 140°09′39″E / 41.5793°N 140.1609°E / 41.5793; 140.1609 (Mount Sengen) [47]
Uzura River 鶉川生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 5.11 41°57′07″N 140°20′00″E / 41.9519°N 140.3333°E / 41.9519; 140.3333 (Uzura River) [48]
Todo River 椴川生林生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 4.99 41°48′13″N 140°09′05″E / 41.8037°N 140.1515°E / 41.8037; 140.1515 (Todo River) [49]
Okushiri Island 奥尻島生物群集保護林 Hokkaidō 22.85   42°09′25″N 139°27′24″E / 42.1569°N 139.4566°E / 42.1569; 139.4566 (Okushiri Island) [50]
Hakkōda Mountains 八甲田山生物群集保護林 Aomori 64.10   40°39′53″N 140°54′44″E / 40.6648°N 140.9122°E / 40.6648; 140.9122 (Mount Hakkōda) [51]
Hachimantai 八幡平生物群集保護林 Iwate, Akita 102.35   39°57′22″N 140°51′10″E / 39.9562°N 140.8529°E / 39.9562; 140.8529 (Hachimantai) [52]
Mount Goyō 五葉山生物群集保護林 Iwate 102.35   39°12′14″N 141°43′43″E / 39.2040°N 141.7287°E / 39.2040; 141.7287 (Mount Goyō) [53]
Mount Waga 和賀岳生物群集保護林 Iwate, Akita 89.55   39°34′14″N 140°45′15″E / 39.5706°N 140.7543°E / 39.5706; 140.7543 (Mount Waga) [54]
Mount Yakeishi 焼石岳生物群集保護林 Iwate 87.68   39°09′49″N 140°49′41″E / 39.1636°N 140.8281°E / 39.1636; 140.8281 (Mount Yakeishi) [55]
Busugamori 毒ヶ森生物群集保護林 Iwate 16.39   39°38′08″N 141°02′32″E / 39.6355°N 141.0421°E / 39.6355; 141.0421 (Busugamori) [56]
Mount Funagata (Mount Goshō) 船形山(御所山)生物群集保護林 Miyagi, Yamagata 71.51   38°27′18″N 140°37′11″E / 38.4551°N 140.6196°E / 38.4551; 140.6196 (Mount Funagata (Mount Goshō)) [57]
Zaō 蔵王生物群集保護林 Miyagi, Yamagata 66.21   38°09′11″N 140°26′46″E / 38.1531°N 140.4460°E / 38.1531; 140.4460 (Zaō) [58]
Mount Taihei 太平山生物群集保護林 Akita 72.23   39°47′50″N 140°18′38″E / 39.7971°N 140.3106°E / 39.7971; 140.3106 (Mount Taihei) [59]
Bandori ForestMount Daibutsu 番鳥森・大仏岳生物群集保護林 Akita 12.39 39°48′50″N 140°30′57″E / 39.8138°N 140.5158°E / 39.8138; 140.5158 (Bandori Forest–Mount Daibutsu) [60]
Northwest Ōu Mountains 奥羽山脈北西部生物群集保護林 Akita 11.91   39°58′38″N 140°32′39″E / 39.9772°N 140.5443°E / 39.9772; 140.5443 (Northwest Ōu Mountains) [61]
Oga Peninsula Coastal Life 男鹿半島海岸植生生物群集保護林 Akita 6.55   39°57′10″N 139°43′38″E / 39.9527°N 139.7272°E / 39.9527; 139.7272 (Oga Peninsula Coastal Life) [62]
Budōmori 葡萄森生物群集保護林 Akita 5.79 39°52′00″N 140°36′44″E / 39.8668°N 140.6121°E / 39.8668; 140.6121 (Budōmori) [63]
Mount Chōkai 鳥海山生物群集保護林 Akita, Yamagata 72.41   39°05′56″N 140°02′39″E / 39.0989°N 140.0442°E / 39.0989; 140.0442 (Mount Chōkai) [64]
Gassan 月山生物群集保護林 Yamagata 68.22   38°32′59″N 140°01′37″E / 38.5496°N 140.0269°E / 38.5496; 140.0269 (Gassan) [65]
TsugamineMount Iimori 栂峰・飯森山生物群集保護林 Yamagata 10.43 37°49′42″N 139°56′14″E / 37.8284°N 139.9373°E / 37.8284; 139.9373 (Tsugamine–Mount Iimori) [66]
KashiMount Futamata 甲子・二岐山生物群集保護林 Fukushima 31.00   37°14′47″N 139°58′02″E / 37.2465°N 139.9673°E / 37.2465; 139.9673 (Kashi–Mount Futamata) [67]
Abukuma Plateau 阿武隈高地生物群集保護林 Fukushima 11.90   37°17′N 140°43′E / 37.29°N 140.72°E / 37.29; 140.72 (Abukuma Plateau) [68]
Oku-Kinu 奥鬼怒生物群集保護林 Tochigi 25.85   36°49′N 139°43′E / 36.82°N 139.71°E / 36.82; 139.71 (Oku-Kinu) [69]
Ōsabi Mountains 大佐飛山地生物群集保護林 Tochigi 81.52 37°03′49″N 139°50′40″E / 37.0635°N 139.8444°E / 37.0635; 139.8444 (Ōsabi Mountains) [70]
Shōjinsawa 尚仁沢生物群集保護林 Tochigi 6.16   36°51′35″N 139°49′13″E / 36.8597°N 139.8202°E / 36.8597; 139.8202 (Shōjinsawa) [71]
Ueno Narahara Fraxinus platypoda 上野楢原のシオジ等生物群集保護林 Gunma 3.03   36°04′N 138°42′E / 36.06°N 138.70°E / 36.06; 138.70 (Ueno Narahara Fraxinus platypoda) [72]
Chichibu Mountains 秩父山地生物群集保護林 Saitama 21.45   35°56′34″N 138°44′05″E / 35.9429°N 138.7346°E / 35.9429; 138.7346 (Chichibu Mountains) [73]
Tanzawa Mountains 丹沢山地生物群集保護林 Kanagawa 8.81   35°29′N 139°06′E / 35.48°N 139.10°E / 35.48; 139.10 (Tanzawa Mountains) [74]
Komatsubara Wetlands 小松原湿原生物群集保護林 Niigata 14.99 36°53′09″N 138°40′34″E / 36.8859°N 138.6762°E / 36.8859; 138.6762 (Komatsubara Wetlands) [75]
Mount Sumon 守門岳生物群集保護林 Niigata 17.78   37°23′52″N 139°08′11″E / 37.3979°N 139.1365°E / 37.3979; 139.1365 (Mount Sumon) [76]
Echigo Mountains 越後山脈生物群集保護林 Niigata 20.09   37°31′17″N 139°25′33″E / 37.5214°N 139.4257°E / 37.5214; 139.4257 (Echigo Mountains) [77]
Kaya no Daira カヤの平等等生物群集保護林 Niigata 14.00 36°52′24″N 138°40′25″E / 36.8734°N 138.6735°E / 36.8734; 138.6735 (Kaya no Daira) [78]
Northern Alps (Mount AsahiHakuba Mountains) 北アルプス(朝日白馬連山)生物群集保護林 Toyama, Nagano 60.76   36°49′36″N 137°43′48″E / 36.8266°N 137.7299°E / 36.8266; 137.7299 (Northern Alps (Mount Asahi–Hakuba Mountains)) [79]
Northern Alps (KurobeGoryūHarinokiShirasawa Tengu) 北アルプス(黒部・五竜針ノ木・白沢天狗)生物群集保護林 Toyama, Nagano 107.53   36°32′17″N 137°41′03″E / 36.5381°N 137.6842°E / 36.5381; 137.6842 (Northern Alps (Kurobe–Goryū–Harinoki–Shirasawa Tengu)) [80]
Sai River Source 犀川源流生物群集保護林 Ishikawa 17.94   36°29′15″N 136°43′22″E / 36.4875°N 136.7227°E / 36.4875; 136.7227 (Sai River Source) [81]
Senjōdaira 千丈平生物群集保護林 Ishikawa 8.57 36°18′30″N 136°46′55″E / 36.3083°N 136.7819°E / 36.3083; 136.7819 (Senjōdaira) [82]
Mount Togakushi 戸隠山生物群集保護林 Nagano 18.89   36°46′12″N 138°03′17″E / 36.7700°N 138.0548°E / 36.7700; 138.0548 (Mount Togakushi) [83]
Mount Naeba Wetlands 苗場山湿原生物群集保護林 Nagano 13.27   36°50′45″N 138°41′21″E / 36.8459°N 138.6891°E / 36.8459; 138.6891 (Mount Naeba Wetlands) [84]
Mount AmakazariMount Tenguhara 雨飾・天狗原山生物群集保護林 Nagano 15.65   36°54′07″N 137°57′45″E / 36.9020°N 137.9624°E / 36.9020; 137.9624 (Mount Amakazari–Mount Tenguhara) [85]
Northern Alps (Mount ChōMount OtenshōMount YariMount Hotakadake) 北アルプス(蝶ヶ岳大天井岳・槍ヶ岳・穂高岳)生物群集保護林 Nagano 71.61   36°17′15″N 137°43′32″E / 36.2876°N 137.7256°E / 36.2876; 137.7256 (Northern Alps (Mount Chō–Mount Otenshō–Mount Yari–Mount Hotakadake)) [86]
Mount WashibaTakase Valley 鷲羽岳・硫黄・高瀬渓谷生物群集保護林 Nagano 25.50   36°17′15″N 137°43′32″E / 36.2876°N 137.7256°E / 36.2876; 137.7256 (Mount Washiba–Iō–Takase Valley) [87]
Azusa RiverKasumizawaMount Yake 梓川霞沢・焼岳生物群集保護林 Nagano 25.72   36°13′16″N 137°38′25″E / 36.2212°N 137.6404°E / 36.2212; 137.6404 (Azusa River–Mount Kasumizawa–Mount Yake) [88]
Mount Kinpu 金峰山生物群集保護林 Nagano 4.33   35°52′19″N 138°37′31″E / 35.8719°N 138.6254°E / 35.8719; 138.6254 (Mount Kinpu) [89]
Mount Asama 浅間山生物群集保護林 Nagano 19.20   36°24′21″N 138°31′21″E / 36.4058°N 138.5225°E / 36.4058; 138.5225 (Mount Asama) [90]
Utsukushigahara 美ヶ原生物群集保護林 Nagano 10.75   36°13′33″N 138°06′27″E / 36.2258°N 138.1075°E / 36.2258; 138.1075 (Utsukushigahara) [91]
Yatsugatake 八ヶ岳生物群集保護林 Nagano 5.16   35°58′11″N 138°19′11″E / 35.9697°N 138.3196°E / 35.9697; 138.3196 (Yatsugatake) [92]
Minami-Alps (Mount Senjō etc) 南アルプス(仙丈ヶ岳等)生物群集保護林 Nagano 32.28   35°43′12″N 138°11′01″E / 35.7200°N 138.1835°E / 35.7200; 138.1835 (Southern Minami-Alps (Mount Senjō etc)) [93]
Minami-Alps (Shiomi etc) 南アルプス(塩見等)生物群集保護林 Nagano 52.06   35°34′26″N 138°10′59″E / 35.5738°N 138.1831°E / 35.5738; 138.1831 (Southern Minami-Alps (Shiomi etc)) [94]
Minami-Alps (Mount Hijiri etc) 南アルプス(聖岳等)生物群集保護林 Nagano 50.05   35°25′21″N 138°08′23″E / 35.4225°N 138.1397°E / 35.4225; 138.1397 (Southern Minami-Alps (Mount Hijiri etc)) [95]
Mount Nagiso 南木曽岳生物群集保護林 Nagano 6.73   35°35′31″N 137°38′36″E / 35.5919°N 137.6434°E / 35.5919; 137.6434 (Mount Nagiso) [96]
Mount Norikura 乗鞍岳生物群集保護林 Nagano, Gifu 57.40   36°06′59″N 137°32′09″E / 36.1164°N 137.5359°E / 36.1164; 137.5359 (Mount Norikura) [97]
Kiso 木曽生物群集保護林 Nagano, Gifu 103.92   35°53′26″N 137°39′33″E / 35.8906°N 137.6591°E / 35.8906; 137.6591 (Kiso) [98]
Ontake 御岳生物群集保護林 Nagano, Gifu 31.22   35°52′56″N 137°26′55″E / 35.8823°N 137.4485°E / 35.8823; 137.4485 (Ontake) [99]
Shizumo 賤母生物群集保護林 Nagano, Gifu 2.51 35°34′40″N 137°34′08″E / 35.5777°N 137.5688°E / 35.5777; 137.5688 (Shizumo) [100]
Mount Sanshū Fagus crenata 三周ヶ岳ブナ生物群集保護林 Gifu 11.30   35°41′02″N 136°18′01″E / 35.6839°N 136.3002°E / 35.6839; 136.3002 (Mount Sanshū Fagus crenata) [101]
Mount Nōgōhaku Fagus crenata 能郷白山ブナ生物群集保護林 Gifu 6.50   35°45′45″N 136°30′50″E / 35.7624°N 136.5138°E / 35.7624; 136.5138 (Mount Nōgōhaku Fagus crenata) [102]
Mount Ena 恵那山生物群集保護林 Gifu 4.92   35°26′36″N 137°35′50″E / 35.4432°N 137.5971°E / 35.4432; 137.5971 (Mount Ena) [103]
Mount Ashitaka 愛鷹山生物群集保護林 Shizuoka 5.70   35°14′19″N 138°47′33″E / 35.2387°N 138.7926°E / 35.2387; 138.7926 (Mount Ashitaka) [104]
Mount Fuji 富士山生物群集保護林 Shizuoka 10.27   35°21′33″N 138°43′35″E / 35.3591°N 138.7264°E / 35.3591; 138.7264 (Mount Fuji) [105]
Hatchō PondKawakodaira 八丁池・皮子平生物群集保護林 Shizuoka 6.37   34°50′46″N 138°57′41″E / 34.8461°N 138.9613°E / 34.8461; 138.9613 (Hatchō Pond–Kawakodaira) [106]
Mount Kamitani 上谷山生物群集保護林 Shiga 5.74 35°40′26″N 136°14′40″E / 35.6738°N 136.2445°E / 35.6738; 136.2445 (Mount Kamitani) [107]
Mount Hyōno-Sannomaru 氷ノ山・三の丸生物群集保護林 Hyōgo 3.85   35°21′14″N 134°30′50″E / 35.3539°N 134.5139°E / 35.3539; 134.5139 (Mount Hyōno) [108]
Ikegō 池郷生物群集保護林 Nara 7.03 34°03′N 135°58′E / 34.05°N 135.97°E / 34.05; 135.97 (Ikegō) [109]
Mount Narukawa 鳴川山生物群集保護林 Nara 3.46 34°39′22″N 135°40′54″E / 34.6561°N 135.6816°E / 34.6561; 135.6816 (Mount Narukawa) [110]
Kurozō Valley 黒蔵谷生物群集保護林 Wakayama 5.16 33°46′N 135°41′E / 33.77°N 135.68°E / 33.77; 135.68 (Kurozō Valley) [111]
Mount Mikuni 三国山生物群集保護林 Tottori 3.19 35°03′28″N 133°16′09″E / 35.0578°N 133.2691°E / 35.0578; 133.2691 (Mount Mikuni) [112]
Mount Tsurugi 剣山生物群集保護林 Tokushima   33°51′14″N 134°05′39″E / 33.8538°N 134.09416°E / 33.8538; 134.09416 (Mount Tsurugi) [113]
Mount Nishikuma 西熊山生物群集保護林 Tokushima   33°50′27″N 133°59′25″E / 33.8407°N 133.9904°E / 33.8407; 133.9904 (Mount Nishikuma) [114]
Mount Ishidate 石立山生物群集保護林 Tokushima   33°47′06″N 134°03′18″E / 33.785°N 134.055°E / 33.785; 134.055 (Mount Ishidate) [115]
Mount Takatori 鷹取山生物群集保護林 Kōchi 33°18′55″N 132°58′01″E / 33.3152°N 132.9669°E / 33.3152; 132.9669 (Mount Takatori) [116]
Fugen-dake 普賢岳生物群集保護林 Nagasaki 4.43   32°45′36″N 130°17′32″E / 32.7599°N 130.2921°E / 32.7599; 130.2921 (Fugen-dake) [117]
Danjo Islands 男女群島生物群集保護林 Nagasaki 4.15 32°01′26″N 128°23′07″E / 32.0239°N 128.3852°E / 32.0239; 128.3852 (Danjo Islands) [118]
Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi 九州中央山地生物群集保護林 Kumamoto, Miyazaki 60.38   32°21′52″N 131°00′53″E / 32.3644°N 131.0146°E / 32.3644; 131.0146 (Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi) [119]
Mount Shiraga 白髪岳生物群集保護林 Kumamoto 3.79 32°09′03″N 130°56′36″E / 32.1507°N 130.9433°E / 32.1507; 130.9433 (Mount Shiraga) [120]
Mount Oninome 鬼の目山生物群集保護林 Miyazaki 4.67 32°42′09″N 131°31′42″E / 32.7026°N 131.5284°E / 32.7026; 131.5284 (Mount Oninome) [121]
Mount Kamon 掃部岳生物群集保護林 Miyazaki 6.27 32°08′02″N 131°11′33″E / 32.1339°N 131.1926°E / 32.1339; 131.1926 (Mount Kamon) [122]
Mount Ōmori 大森岳生物群集保護林 Miyazaki 3.73 32°04′33″N 131°09′18″E / 32.0758°N 131.1551°E / 32.0758; 131.1551 (Mount Ōmori) [123]
Inohae Evergreen Forest 猪八重照葉樹林生物群集保護林 Miyazaki 4.81 31°43′43″N 131°22′00″E / 31.7286°N 131.3667°E / 31.7286; 131.3667 (Inohae Evergreen Forest) [124]
Mount Kirishima 霧島山生物群集保護林 Miyazaki, Kagoshima 63.54   31°55′45″N 130°55′35″E / 31.9291°N 130.9265°E / 31.9291; 130.9265 (Mount Kirishima) [125]
Mount Takakuma 高隈山生物群集保護林 Kagoshima 11.76   31°28′20″N 130°48′06″E / 31.4723°N 130.8017°E / 31.4723; 130.8017 (Mount Takakuma) [126]

Rare Population Protection Forests

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As of 1 April 2018, 540 Rare Population Protection Forests (希少個体群保護林) have been designated, covering an area of 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres).[8]

Green Corridors

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As of 1 April 2019, 24 Green Corridors (緑の回廊) have been designated, covering an area of 584,000 hectares (1,440,000 acres).[10]

Green Corridor Designated Name Prefecture Area (km2) Length (km) Image Coordinates Ref.
Shiretoko Peninsula 知床半島緑の回廊 Hokkaidō 120 36   43°53′N 145°01′E / 43.89°N 145.01°E / 43.89; 145.01 (Shiretoko Peninsula) [127]
TaisetsuHidaka 大雪・日高緑の回廊 Hokkaidō 170 57   43°13′N 142°47′E / 43.22°N 142.79°E / 43.22; 142.79 (Taisetsu–Hidaka) [128]
ShikotsuMuine 支笏・無意根緑の回廊 Hokkaidō 70 30   42°49′N 141°12′E / 42.82°N 141.20°E / 42.82; 141.20 (Shikotsu–Muine) [129]
ShirakamiHakkōda 白神八甲田緑の回廊 Aomori 220 50   40°31′N 140°02′E / 40.51°N 140.04°E / 40.51; 140.04 (Shirakami–Hakkōda) [130]
Ōu Mountains 奥羽山脈緑の回廊 Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata 730 400   39°44′N 140°43′E / 39.73°N 140.71°E / 39.73; 140.71 (Ōu Mountains) [131]
Kitakami Plateau 北上高地緑の回廊 Iwate 260 150   39°13′N 141°42′E / 39.22°N 141.70°E / 39.22; 141.70 (Kitakami Plateau) [132]
Chōkai-AsahiIide-Azuma 鳥海朝日・飯豊吾妻緑の回廊 Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima, Niigata 590 260   38°58′N 140°46′E / 38.96°N 140.77°E / 38.96; 140.77 (Chōkai-Asahi–Iide-Azuma) [133]
HachimantaiMount Taihei 八幡平太平山緑の回廊 Akita 110 60   39°57′N 140°41′E / 39.95°N 140.69°E / 39.95; 140.69 (Hachimantai–Mount Taihei) [134]
Aizu Mountains 会津山地緑の回廊 Fukushima 1058 100   37°23′N 139°18′E / 37.39°N 139.30°E / 37.39; 139.30 (Aizu Mountains) [135]
NikkōMount Azuma 日光・吾妻山地緑の回廊 Fukushima, Tochigi 939 180   37°41′N 140°11′E / 37.69°N 140.18°E / 37.69; 140.18 (Nikkō–Mount Azuma) [136]
Echigo Line 緑の回廊越後線 Fukushima, Niigata 161 76   37°25′N 139°11′E / 37.41°N 139.18°E / 37.41; 139.18 (Echigo Line) [137]
Nikkō Line 緑の回廊日光線 Tochigi 114 41   36°47′N 139°21′E / 36.78°N 139.35°E / 36.78; 139.35 (Nikkō Line) [138]
Mikuni Line 緑の回廊三国線 Gunma, Niigata, Nagano 131 56   36°52′N 138°42′E / 36.86°N 138.70°E / 36.86; 138.70 (Mikuni Line) [139]
Chichibu Mountains 秩父山地緑の回廊 Saitama 65 44   35°59′N 138°47′E / 35.98°N 138.79°E / 35.98; 138.79 (Chichibu Mountains) [140]
Mount Tanzawa 丹沢緑の回廊 Kanagawa 36 40   35°28′N 139°10′E / 35.47°N 139.16°E / 35.47; 139.16 (Mount Tanzawan) [141]
Hakusan Mountains 白山山系緑の回廊 Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Gifu 430 70   36°10′N 136°44′E / 36.17°N 136.74°E / 36.17; 136.74 (Hakusan Mountains) [142]
Etsumi Mountains 越美山地緑の回廊 Fukui, Gifu, Shiga 240 66   35°46′N 136°31′E / 35.77°N 136.51°E / 35.77; 136.51 (Etsumi Mountains) [143]
Fuji-san 富士山緑の回廊 Yamanashi 21 24   35°22′N 138°44′E / 35.37°N 138.73°E / 35.37; 138.73 (Fuji-san) [144]
Yatsugatake 緑の回廊八ヶ岳 Yamanashi, Nagano 60 21   35°14′N 137°39′E / 35.23°N 137.65°E / 35.23; 137.65 (Yatsugatake) [145]
AmakazariTogakushi 緑の回廊雨飾・戸隠 Nagano 40 17   36°47′N 138°02′E / 36.78°N 138.04°E / 36.78; 138.04 (Amakazari–Togakushi) [146]
Eastern Chūgoku Mountains 東中国山地緑の回廊 Hyōgo, Tottori, Okayama 60 42   35°26′N 134°26′E / 35.44°N 134.44°E / 35.44; 134.44 (Eastern Chūgoku Mountains) [147]
Shikoku Mountains 四国山地緑の回廊 Ehime, Kōchi 170 137   33°46′N 133°10′E / 33.77°N 133.16°E / 33.77; 133.16 (Shikoku Mountains) [148]
Aya River Upper Stretches 綾川上流緑の回廊 Miyazaki 20 5 32°01′N 131°14′E / 32.02°N 131.24°E / 32.02; 131.24 (Aya River Upper Stretches) [149]
Ōsumi Peninsula 大隅半島緑の回廊 Kagoshima 10 22   31°08′N 130°55′E / 31.13°N 130.92°E / 31.13; 130.92 (Ōsumi Peninsula) [150]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Forest Biosphere Reserve (森林生態系保護地域) (sometimes alternatively rendered as Forest Ecosystem Reserve), Biotic Community Protection Forest (生物群集保護林), Rare Population Protection Forest (希少個体群保護林); the seven old categories were Forest Biosphere Reserve (森林生態系保護地域), Forest Biogenetic Resources Preservation Forest (森林生物遺伝資源保存林), Forest Tree Genetic Resources Preservation Forest (林木遺伝資源保存林), Plant Community Protection Forest (植物群落保護林), Specific Animal Habitat Protection Forest (特定動物生息地保護林), Specific Topography Protection Forest (特定地理等保護林), Hometown Forest (郷土の森)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "State of Japan's Forests and Forest Management ― 3rd Country Report of Japan to the Montreal Process ―" (PDF). Forestry Agency. July 2019. pp. iv–xiii, 9, 19–21. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  2. ^ Totman, Conrad (1998). The Green Archipelago: Forestry in Pre-Industrial Japan. Ohio University Press. pp. 27–33. ISBN 0-8214-1255-8.
  3. ^ "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara". UNESCO. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Protected Areas in Japan" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Yasuhara Katsue; Nakasizuka Toru; Nagae Yasuhiro; Kumagai Yoichi (1992). "A Study on Forest Protection Management in Forest Reserve and its Changes" 保護林制度にみる森林の保護管理の変遷 [A Study on Forest Protection Management in Forest Reserve and its Changes]. Journal of the Japanese Institute of Landscape Architects (in Japanese). 56 (5): 187–192. doi:10.5632/jila1934.56.5_187.
  6. ^ 「保護林設定ニ関スル件」 [On Establishing Protected Forests] (PDF) (in Japanese). Forestry Agency. 1915. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  7. ^ 保護林制度改正のポイント [Key Points for the Revision of the Protected Forest System] (PDF) (in Japanese). Forestry Agency. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e 保護林 [Protected Forests] (in Japanese). Forestry Agency. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  9. ^ 保護林 [Protected Forests] (in Japanese). Forestry Agency. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  10. ^ a b 緑の回廊 [Green Corridors] (in Japanese). Forestry Agency. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island". UNESCO. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
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