Japan: Wild Animals and Ancient Traditions in the 21st Century
Japan is an island nation that extends from the Sea of Japan to the North Pacific Ocean. It is a highly urbanized and densely populated country known for its cutting-edge technology and fast-paced living. But outside of the major metropolitan areas, Japan is a place of great natural beauty and amazing biodiversity. And in spite of the modern lifestyles of the Japanese, there also exists a long tradition of reverence for nature and deep regard for animals. In fact, wildlife and the natural environment are among the most important elements of Japanese culture, spirituality and national identity.

The Japanese terrain is a maze of steep mountains, active volcanoes, bubbling hot springs and fertile green valleys. These geographic features have a profound influence on the climate of the country, which includes some of the snowiest, rainiest, and driest places on earth. The varied climate has in turn shaped wildlife in Japan, which is home to a bounty of exotic and fascinating animals.

Snow Monkeys
Perhaps the best-known animal in Japan is the Japanese macaque or "snow monkey," an Old World monkey that is native to Japan. Snow monkeys live in Japan’s central and northern forests, making it the most northerly primate, except for humans. They have bright red hairless faces and thick grayish-brown fur. They grow to be about 2 to 4 feet long and weigh between 20 and 40 pounds, with males being twice as large as females. They live in groups of a few dozen to over 100 individuals and can be found frolicking in Japan’s abundant hot springs in winter.

Snow monkeys are famous for their intelligence and social behavior. They use tools, wash their food, and have a complex system of communication. They are also very aware of status within their society, paying close attention to age, strength, and family relationships among members. Snow monkeys play a prominent role in Japanese culture; they are considered to be messengers of the Shinto gods and symbols of success and good fortune.

Despite their ability to survive in such a harsh environment, snow monkeys are endangered. As populations increase, human developments encroach on their habitat. Snow monkeys are mainly "frugivorous," meaning they eat fruit. But as their habitat disappears, so does their source of food. As a result, many snow monkeys now raid orchards and fields for food, putting them at risk of being captured or killed by farmers. Without habitat protection measures, the future of the snow monkey in Japan is uncertain.

Red-Crowned Cranes
Japan is a very popular destination for migratory birds in winter such as the red-crowned crane. This beautiful bird stands about 5 feet tall and weighs about 25 pounds, on average. It has a long black neck with a white nape and a red crown. Except for black secondary and tertiary feathers, its body is totally white. The red-crowned crane lives on the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan in semiaquatic  habitats such as marshes, bogs and grasslands that have rivers or streams. It is an icon in Japanese culture and its image can be seen in centuries of traditional art.

Red-crowned cranes are known for their elaborate courtship performances. During mating season, male and female cranes bow, run, jump and flap their wings for each other. They also communicate using a variety of songs, calls, and assorted vocalizations. During these performances, the birds may also pick up sticks or blades of grass and toss them dramatically in the air. These dances help to create and maintain pair bonds, which are usually lifelong among red-crowned cranes.

In the middle of the 20th century, red-crowned cranes were hunted to near extinction. Fortunately, the people of Japan responded by enacting strong protections for them. There are now about 1,000 red-crowned cranes in Japan. However, new and perhaps more devastating threats come from habitat loss due to agricultural and industrial developments. Strict habitat protection measures are necessary if this majestic bird is to survive in Japan.

Whooper Swans
Another migratory bird that winters in Japan is the whooper swan, a large white swan with a black and yellow bill and a wingspan of about 7 feet. It is a close relative of North America’s trumpeter swan. Whooper swans inhabit the lakes, estuaries, bogs, marshes and flooded fields of Japan, and are usually found in lifelong pair bonds. They are highly social animals unless they are breeding. Then, they can be very aggressive and defensive of their territories. Whooper swans are not currently considered threatened or endangered in Japan.

Steller’s Sea Eagle
The Steller’s sea eagle also spends the winter in Japan. It is a large and mighty bird with an arched yellow beak, dark body, white tail and a wingspan of up to 10 feet. The Steller’s sea eagle breeds in eastern Asia but is found during the winter months on the sea coasts, lakes and rivers of Japan on Hokkaido, Honshu and nearby islands. It is considered vulnerable, mainly due to habitat destruction and pollution.

Conservation in Japan
Japan has only recently begun to formally protect its threatened and endangered species and has done little to preserve habitat for wildlife. With land being such a critical commodity in this populous nation, conservation is sure to be challenging. The inspiration may come from the Japanese people’s ancient reverence for animals and the natural world. To lose swans, eagles, cranes and monkeys would be to lose a part of the Japanese identity. The challenge for Japan in the 21st century is to find a balance between progress and preservation.

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