November 6, 2020
To the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the government of Japan submitted, for the first time, a request to list six species of Eublepharidae and one species of Salamandridae, which are endemic to the Amami and Okinawa Islands of Japan, in CITES Appendix III.
After these seven species are decided to be listed in Appendix III, if any person or business intends to internationally trade any individuals of these species, Japan is to confirm the country of origin of these individuals subject to trade for the purpose of preventing: illegal taking of such individuals in Japan, and inducing of illegal exports of such individuals from Japan caused by international trading of individuals which are already circulating in overseas countries..
Under CITES, a member country is eligible to submit a request for listing in CITES Appendix III certain species about which the country needs other member countries’ cooperation in protecting the species in the country.
In the Amami and Okinawa Islands, home of a variety of endemic species with rich biodiversity, Japan has been advancing actions, by uniting efforts of local stakeholders, for preventing poaching and domestic illegal trading of rare species. Concerning these seven species of Eublepharidae and Salamandridae endemic to Japan, Japan has already been controlling taking, domestic trading and exports from Japan of these species under the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. However, no regulations are stipulated over international trading thereof in third countries.
To address this situation, the government of Japan submitted, for the first time, a request to the CITES secretariat for listing the seven species in CITES Appendix III, aiming to control international trading of the species. In response, the secretariat will issue a communication on the list to member countries and, then, the species will be listed in CITES Appendix III 90 days after the date of the communication.
In line with the listing of the seven species in CITES Appendix III, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will exercise appropriate import and export control under CITES and the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and will continue to strive to accord with international cooperation in protecting endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
Note: For details of the species for which Japan submitted a request for listing and the regulations under CITES Appendix III, see the Appendix.
