Oze Wetland: The Birthplace of the Nature Conservation Movement in Japan

Abstract

This chapter describes how the modern nature conservation movement in Japan grew out of opposition to dams and other development schemes in the Oze Wetland in Honshu. The Oze wetland is a rare highland marsh with a distinctive landscape and biodiversity. The region was virtually unknown until the industrial development of the late nineteenth century, but thereafter its environment was rapidly placed under threat from several development schemes, the most contentious of which was a dam construction proposal. However, Oze became a rare example where bureaucrats, nature conservationists, and scholars came together to form a successful opposition movement that succeeded in saving the wetland; this movement was subsequently broadened at the national level. However, the rise in the popularity of Oze also meant a rise in visitor impact on its natural environment. The chapter outlines the main events in the course of the development of the Oze conservation and management program and identifies the problems that make active conservation of this precious environment a continual need.

1 Electronic Oze Wetland Nature conservation Nature Conservation Movement Supplementary Material

Supplemental Table 1

Oze history (XLS 24 kb)