Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island,
Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island

Protective legal instruments such as national parks and forest ecosystem reserves established pursuant to national laws will be properly utilized with a view to maintaining the Outstanding Universal Value.

“National parks” are designated by the Minister of the Environment and managed pursuant to the Natural Parks Act with the objective of protecting excellent scenic areas and promoting their utilization, thereby contributing to the health, recreation, and cultural edification of the citizens as well as the safeguarding of wildlife diversity.

For more detail about National Parks, see "National Parks of Japan"

“Forest ecosystem reserves” are designed to contribute to maintaining the natural environment comprised of forest ecosystems, protecting wildlife, protecting genetic resources, developing forest operation and management technologies, and promoting scientific research by protecting and managing primeval natural forests representative of Japan’s climatic zones and forest zones. These forest ecosystem reserves are established and managed by the Regional Administration and Management Plan specified by the Forestry Agency under the Law on the Administration and Management of National Forests.

“National wildlife protection areas” are designated by the Minister of the Environment pursuant to the Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act from among those areas that are recognized as important for international or national wildlife protection. “Prefectural wildlife protection areas” are designated by prefectural governors from among those areas that are recognized as important for the protection of local wildlife pursuant to this same law. Also, places where efforts to protect wildlife or habitats are particularly needed are designated as the “special protection zone” in which certain development activities are restricted.

For more detail about Wildlife Protection Area, see "Wildlife Protection"

Natural monuments are designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties to protect animals and plants (including their habitats, breeding sites, stopover sites for migratory birds, and native habitats) and geological features and minerals (including areas of unique natural phenomenon) which have significant scientific value for the country. Furthermore, the board of education of each prefecture can similarly designate prefectural natural monuments pursuant to the Kagoshima Prefectural Ordinance on the Protection of Cultural Properties and the Okinawa Prefectural Ordinance on the Protection of Cultural Properties.

For more detail about Natural Monuments, see "Monuments"