A crested ibis with spread wings, looking proud. (© Fumie Oyama)
The Japanese crested ibis is expected to fly freely in the region by 2026, with Ishikawa Prefecture's help. The area was the last habitat of the species before its extinction from Honshu, Japan's main island in 2003.
Therefore, the move holds particular significance for the region.
Meanwhile, even as the crested ibis reintroduction project progressed, the region was struck by successive natural disasters in 2024. Despite the devastation, Ishikawa Prefecture has been undeterred in its support for local communities and determination to "build back better."
In a statement shared exclusively with JAPAN Forward, Ishikawa Governor HASE Hiroshi shared his thoughts on the region's resilience and recovery and the challenges ahead. The full statement follows, in English and Japanese.
Statement of Governor HASE Hiroshi
The earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on January 1, 2024, measuring a maximum intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale, claimed many precious lives and caused extensive damage to homes, lifelines and community infrastructure.
Less than a year later in September, the Oku-Noto region was hit by record-breaking torrential rains.
The recovery and reconstruction of the twice-hit Noto region will be arduous. However, we will keep supporting the people in the affected areas, overcome these challenges, and build back better.
Noto was the last native habitat of the crested ibis on Honshu, Japan's main island. Therefore in 2022, for the species' revival, the government selected Ishikawa Prefecture as a candidate site for the bird's release. Since then, we have been working with local residents preparing the crested ibis for release into the wild, including developing rice paddies that will serve as feeding grounds.
Even after the earthquake, residents have reassured us that they were continuing their efforts and would not give up on the release of the crested ibis.
We will continue to make every effort to release the birds as early as fiscal year 2026 so that the sight of the crested ibis soaring again in the sky over Noto will become a symbol of Noto's creative recovery.
【最終：知事ヒア後】トキ放鳥に向けた馳浩知事コメント
2024年１月１日に能登半島で発生した地震は、最大震度７を観測し、多くの尊い命が失われ、住家やライフライン、インフラ施設も甚大な被害を受けました。
そして、それから１年も経たない９月に、追い打ちをかけるように、奥能登地方が記録的な豪雨に襲われました。
二重に被災した能登地方の復旧・復興は大変厳しいものがありますが、被災地域の方々にしっかりと寄り添い、その困難な道を乗り越え、能登の創造的復興（build back better）を成し遂げたいと考えています。
能登は、本州最後のトキの生息地であり、一昨年には、トキの本州での復活を目指す国から、放鳥候補地に選ばれました。その後、地域の方々と力を合わせ、餌場となる田んぼの整備など、トキの放鳥に向けた取り組みを進めてきました。
地震後も、地域の方々からは、トキ放鳥を諦めず、取り組みを続けていきたいとの心強い声をいただきました。
トキが能登の大空を再び舞う姿の実現が、能登の創造的復興のシンボルとなるよう、早ければ2026年度の放鳥に向けて、引き続き全力を挙げて取り組んでいきます。
Author: HASE Hiroshi, Governor, Ishikawa Prefecture
