#Japan #Tokyo #Elephant Conservation #Earth Day Tokyo #Tora Elephant Fund

Protecting Elephants: Our Initiative at Earth Day Tokyo 2025

As part of the Earth Day Tokyo 2025 festivities, the Tora and Elephant Protection Fund, alongside 'Tears of the African Elephant,' will set up a collaborative booth in Yoyogi Park on April 19 and 20. This event brings together wildlife conservation experts, including members of CITES Japan Youth, to engage the public in understanding the urgent reasons behind the necessity to ban the trade in ivory within Japan.

Event Details

• - Dates: April 19 (Saturday) and April 20 (Sunday)
• - Time: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• - Location: Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, near the event square closest to Route 23.
• - Contact: Tora and Elephant Protection Fund - Tel: 03–3595–8088, Email: hogokikin@jtef.jp

At our booth, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a thought-provoking quiz that highlights the critical situation facing African elephants and the importance of banning ivory sales. In addition, we will gather signatures for a petition advocating for the closure of Japan's domestic ivory market and offer exhibitions along with merchandise that reflects the plight of African elephants. Everyone is welcome to join us and learn more about this pressing issue.

Current Status of African Elephants

Across the African continent, two distinct types of elephants can be found: the Savanna elephant, roaming the plains, and the Forest elephant, residing in the dense jungles. Alarmingly, from 1964 to 2016, the population of Savanna elephants has plummeted by 70%, and Forest elephants have seen a staggering decline of 90%. This drastic reduction has placed both species in jeopardy of extinction.

The principal driver behind this population decline is poaching, primarily motivated by the demand for ivory. Although the Washington Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was established in 1990 to prohibit international ivory trade, illegal poaching persists. Moreover, the illicit ivory trade has financed armed groups in Africa, prompting international calls for a ban on the domestic ivory trade in countries like Japan.

Currently, Japan holds an estimated 37% of the world's ivory stocks and has yet to implement a ban on ivory sales, despite the substantiated evidence of illegal exports to China. A recent UN report has commended the global cooperation in reducing the demand for ivory, which has resulted in a noteworthy decrease in elephant poaching rates in many regions.

Taking Action

In 2026, there are plans to submit a revised Species Conservation Law to regulate the trade of endangered species, including a mandate to prohibit the sale of ivory domestically. By enacting such legislation, Japan can actively contribute to the international efforts to protect elephants from poaching.

To achieve this, we have established the “Petition Executive Committee for Closing the Domestic Ivory Market,” which consists of four NPOs: the Tora and Elephant Protection Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society of Japan, Tears of the African Elephant, and CITES Japan Youth. We will be launching a signature campaign in May to present a petition to the Japanese Diet, advocating for the closure of the domestic ivory market.

Legislative Developments

During the Senate budget committee meeting on March 28, Member of Parliament Katsushi Miyazaki raised questions concerning the closure of the domestic ivory market. Recent publications have shed light on how Japan's illicit international ivory trade jeopardizes the survival of elephants, demanding urgent reform to safeguard these magnificent creatures.

In a podcast episode of “JWCS Radio: Earth Life Tour,” we delve into how banning the sale of ivory in Japan can directly benefit elephant conservation. We invite everyone to listen, support our cause, and participate in our signature campaign to voice our commitment to saving African elephants together.

Join us at Earth Day Tokyo 2025 and let us amplify our voices for elephants!