Cultural perceptions and natural protections: a socio-legal analysis of public participation, birdlife and Ramsar Wetlands in Japan

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to better understand the relationship Japanese people have with birdlife, wetlands and environmental law. The paper uses a case study of the Japanese ‘red crowned’ crane (the tancho) and Ramsar sites in Eastern Hokkaido to examine Japan’s environmental governance systems and actors and the extent to which they utilize the principle of public participation. The topic is significant because of the urgency with which wetlands and birdlife are being lost in East Asia and the impacts such loss will have on communities and national identity. The observations in this paper have relevance for neighbouring Asian countries like China and Korea both of which have their own cultural perceptions and legal protections to consider.