Japan's Reptile Market Linked to Suspected Illegal Imports

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Dogs and cats may be the first animals that come to mind when people think of pets. But in Japan, reptiles — such as lizards, geckos, and turtles — are also extremely popular. In fact, Japan is the world's second-largest live reptile importer, second only to the United States. The concern is that many of these imports are suspected to be illegal.

Why Reptiles?

According to WWF Japan, most people keep reptiles as pets for aesthetics rather than companionship.

"Rather than keeping them as companions, many people treat them as collections to enjoy their beauty and appearance," the organization explains. The appeal is similar to insect collecting, but with living creatures.

By contrast, China imports reptiles primarily for medicinal purposes. Since these are often processed abroad before arriving, China ranks third in live reptile imports, just behind Japan.

Some of the reptiles entering Japan seem to be wild-caught, despite capture bans. To examine Japan's role as a major importer, WWF Japan surveyed nine popular species and released the results in July.

*Okinawan Tree Lizard (Courtesy of Ministry of the Environment)*

Gaps in Regulation

Take the Cobalt Tree Monitor, for example. This striking blue lizard is native to the rainforests of Indonesia's Batanta Island and nearby areas. It can grow up to 1.2 meters long and is sold under names such as Blue-spotted Tree Monitor and Cobalt Monitor.

The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES — the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora — which is the second-highest level of protection. Commercial trade is allowed, but only with an export permit from the government of its country of origin. Without proper regulation, the species could be driven to extinction.

However, the regulations appear to be failing. In Japan's market, over 20% of these monitors appeared to be wild-caught specimens from Indonesia, where exporting wild-caught animals is prohibited. Yet import records listed them as captive-bred. While no cases were definitively proven illegal, there is the possibility of laundering, with wild animals being fraudulently sold as legally captive-bred.

Loopholes and 'Laundering'

The Horsfield's Tortoise tells a similar story. Also listed in Appendix II, this species ranges from Central Asia to China and is mainly exported to Japan from Uzbekistan. It's easy to recognize: unlike most turtles, which have five toes on their front legs, this tortoise has only four — hence the name Four-toed Tortoise. Japan ranks as the fifth-largest importer of this species.

Demand in Japan was once extremely high, but imports have declined since Uzbekistan banned the export of wild-caught tortoises. Even so, the species continues to face threats from poaching and overharvesting, with illegal trade still thriving across Europe and Asia.

WWF Japan has voiced serious concern: "We deeply regret that trade of questionable legality and sustainability is taking place, and that the market continues to grow." The organization is urging businesses to ensure legal and transparent transactions, and calling on the government to take responsible action.

Protecting Local Species

But Japan is not just an importer — it's also a source of wild animals. The problem is especially serious on Amami Oshima Island in the Nansei Islands, where various species, including stag beetles and the Okinawa Tree Lizard, are being captured and removed. Some of these animals aren't even protected under capture regulations.

*Amami Spiny Stag Beetle (Courtesy of Amami City Hall)*

In June, the Amami Oshima Nature Conservation Council, which includes five municipalities such as Amami City in Kagoshima Prefecture, partnered with the prefecture, the Ministry of the Environment, and private companies. The coalition urged the public not to remove the islands' animals, emphasizing the need to protect the nature of Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima.

*Purple Land Hermit Crab (Courtesy of Ministry of the Environment)*

The urgency of this action was clear. Just a month earlier, in May, while the appeal was still being drafted, airport authorities arrested three Chinese nationals attempting to smuggle out 5,200 land hermit crabs. The species is designated as a natural monument of Japan.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Tomoo Iwata, Senior Staff Writer, Indo-Pacific Correspondent, The Sankei Shimbun

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