Sixth Region Certified as "Nature Coexisting Site" Through "SAVE JAPAN Project"

The Certified Non-Profit Organization Japan NPO Center (Representative Director: Makoto Oshima, hereinafter "Japan NPO Center"), with the sponsorship of Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (President and Representative Director: Koji Ishikawa, hereinafter "Sompo Japan"), has been implementing the citizen participation-based environmental conservation event "SAVE JAPAN Project" nationwide since 2011 (*2).

The "Sashiba no Sato Nature School Satoyama Conservation Activity Implementation Plan," supported by the "SAVE JAPAN Project," has been certified as a "Nature Coexisting Site" (1st round, Reiwa 8) by the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

This is the sixth region certified as a Nature Coexisting Site through this project, following "Hiruzen Plateau Hato-ga-hara Grassland and Surrounding Wetlands" (*3) (Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture), "Nakatsu Tidal Flat Conservation Activity Plan" and "Onashi Wetland Conservation Plan" (both in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture), "Odawara Medaka Village Conservation Activity Implementation Plan" (Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture), and "Triangle Base '1000 Year Dream Farm' Promotion Activity" (Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture).

Background of the Certified Plan and its Initiatives

Plan Name: Sashiba no Sato Nature School Satoyama Conservation Activity Implementation Plan (Shikama Town, Tochigi Prefecture)

Site Name: Sashiba no Sato Nature School

Type of Activity: Maintenance of biodiversity

Environmental Organization: NPO Otaka Protection Fund

Initiatives:

To maintain the satoyama ecosystem, where diverse native flora and fauna inhabit and grow, with the Grey-faced Buzzard, an apex predator of satoyama and an endangered species, as a symbol. Simultaneously, to continue sustainable agriculture and forestry (rice cultivation, charcoal production forest management) utilizing the area, and to leverage its natural resources for environmental education and ecotourism (nature experience, agricultural experience).

Overview of the "SAVE JAPAN Project"

The "SAVE JAPAN Project" collaborates with NPO support centers and environmental organizations in each region, along with Sompo Japan and the Japan NPO Center, to implement programs tailored to the conditions of the host regions, aiming for biodiversity conservation and providing opportunities for local residents to participate in environmental conservation activities.

Since fiscal year 2023, the project has added themes of supporting the application process for Nature Coexisting Sites and post-certification conservation activities. Due to legal amendments (*1), the collaboration and cooperation of diverse stakeholders, including local residents and government, in addition to landowners, have become increasingly important for biodiversity conservation.

In this way, we are promoting conservation activities through the collaboration of diverse entities, including "environmental NPOs and NPO support centers that foster connections among various regional stakeholders," in a manner that adapts to the changing times.

In fiscal year 2025, with Mr. Jun Nishihira, Deputy Director of the Center for Climate Change Adaptation at the National Institute for Environmental Studies, serving as supervisor, and with endorsement from the Ministry of the Environment, we are supporting programs in 23 regions.

As a co-responsible party for building civil society, the Japan NPO Center will continue to cooperate with Sompo Japan, regional NPO support centers, and environmental organizations to promote biodiversity conservation and nature-positive initiatives through citizen participation.

(*1) Ministry of the Environment Nature Coexisting Site Certified Sites List

https://policies.env.go.jp/nature/biodiversity/30by30alliance/kyousei/nintei/index.html

"Nature Coexisting Sites" is a system that certifies plans contributing to the maintenance, recovery, and creation of biodiversity (Implementation Plans for Promotion Activities / Collaborative Promotion Activities) based on the "Act on the Promotion of Activities for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Local Areas" (Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act) overseen by the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. It contributes to achieving the international goal of "30by30," which aims to conserve at least 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. Since the legal amendment in April 2025, the system has shifted from certifying areas to certifying five-year plans for biodiversity conservation.

(*2) Implemented in 23 regions in fiscal year 2025 (October 2025 - September 2026). SAVE JAPAN Project website

https://savejapan-pj.net/

(*3) Certification under the former system.

[Contact Information]

Certified Non-Profit Organization Japan NPO Center (Contact: Sambon, Chiyogi)

100-0004 Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Otemachi 2-2-1 Shin-Otemachi Building 245

SAVE JAPAN Project Website: https://savejapan-pj.net/

E-mail: [email protected]