Totoro's Forest in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, managed by the Totoro no Furusato Foundation, May 22, 2013. (Photo courtesy of Totoro no Furusato Foundation)
Read the full story on Japan 2 Earth - Totoro's Forest in Saitama Among Newly Certified Nature Sites
The Ministry of the Environment announced on October 6 the certification of Shizen Kyousei Sites (“Sites in Harmony with Nature”). A total of 122 locations across 35 prefectures, including "Totoro's Forest" in Saitama, were included. The certification scheme is part of a ministry initiative to designate areas where ecosystems are protected based on responsible management by businesses and private organizations. This marks the first such certification.
Japan's 30by30 Target
The government has set a goal to conserve over 30% of the nation’s land and marine habitats by 2030 as part of its commitment to biodiversity preservation. A second round of certifications is scheduled to take place before the end of fiscal year 2023.
The ministry's overarching goal is to certify approximately 500 locations by fiscal year 2026.
Continue reading the full story on Japan 2 Earth to learn more about the forest areas and why they were designated as nature sites.
And find more great articles on the environment and the challenges of achieving the SDGs on our new website Japan 2 Earth (J2E), sparking a transition to the future.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
