Latest news with #UNESCOWorldNaturalHeritage
Asahi Shimbun
4 days ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Fed by tourists, brown bears in Shiretoko lose fear of humans
A mother bear with two cubs puts its nose against a rental car in Shari, Hokkaido, on May 16, 2022. Part of the image is modified for privacy reasons. (Masafumi Kamimura) Fisherman Motoharu Kase's three children were playing in the garden of their home in Rausu, eastern Hokkaido, oblivious to the danger that lurked even though their pet dog, Koro, was tethered to a sandbag nearby. Around 3 p.m. on that August day in 2019, the animal suddenly let out a hideous scream. Realizing that something awful had happened, the family members mounted a search. They soon found tracks left by a brown bear leading into a patch of grass adjacent to the house. A sandbag weighing more than 100 kilograms to which Koro's leash was attached earlier had been moved. They found the leash wrapped around a nearby tree at a height impossible for the dog to reach. When Kenji Sakurai, 62, and other members of a local hunting association searched the area, they came across a brown bear feasting on Koro's carcass. It was the same bear blamed for killing or mauling eight pet dogs kept outdoors in Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula between 2018 and 2021. Locals had nicknamed the bear 'Rusha Taro,' RT for short, after the Rusha district of nearby Shari, where the animal was first spotted. It ate the dogs in most cases. Because it marked the first time for 'RT' to attack a dog in daylight hours, the incident sent shockwaves through the community. Three years later, in July 2022, a male brown bear was captured in a box trap. It was later killed. DNA samples taken from the animal were a match for RT. UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL The cases involving RT were just the tip of an iceberg of unconventional behavior displayed by brown bears in the scenic Shiretoko Peninsula over the past decade. In July, the region marked the 20th anniversary of its listing as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, making the area a popular tourist destination. Typical sightings include a brown bear gnawing on a car that had stopped on the Shiretoko Crossing Road one afternoon in May 2022. The rental car was parked near the center line on a downhill section of the road in Shari which lies in the western part of the peninsula. A mother and her two cubs were within 10 meters of the vehicle when they approached. The mother put her nose against the door on the driver's side while one of the cubs reared up and shook its head repeatedly as it bit into a side mirror. Between 400 and 500 brown bears inhabit the Shiretoko Peninsula, giving it one of the world's highest concentrations of the animal. There were at least 2,500 brown bear sightings in the region in 2023. Traffic snarls known as 'bear jams' that are caused by sightseers stopping their cars to look at brown bears are a common sight in Shiretoko from spring to autumn. Some tourists and amateur photographers throw caution to the wind and approach the bears up close. A revision to the Natural Parks Law that took effect in April 2022 makes it illegal to give brown bears food or venture too near. Still, in fiscal 2024, there were a record 70 cases of dangerous and problematic behavior exhibited by people when brown bears were around. Those on the front line working to prevent incidents involving bears and tourists tear their hair out over the fact patrol staff have no authority to deal with such problems. All they can do is warn that brown bears are in the vicinity. 'We face a situation where we have to be prepared in case residents and visitors in Shiretoko are attacked by brown bears,' said Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka, head of the Hokkaido Human-Wildlife Conflict Consultancy and Veterinary Clinic in Sapporo. Ishinazaka worked for many years in Shiretoko devising ways to deal with brown bears and once served as head of the protection and management department at the Shiretoko Nature Foundation. He speculated that dangerous bears share a trait: They have learned they can obtain food when humans are nearby. Motorists who give food to bears that approach their vehicles are simply reinforcing that behavior, he said. Hokkaido began an annual spring cull of brown bears in 1966. They are shot in Shiretoko and elsewhere across the northernmost main island by licensed hunters. After the spring cull was abandoned in 1990, brown bears started showing up in complete disregard of any human nearby, having learned that people no longer pose a threat. Miraculously, no resident or sightseer in Shiretoko has been attacked by a brown bear in nearly 40 years. Bears that are judged to be problematic, like RT, are culled before they attack people, officials explained. But there are limitations. Ishinazaka pointed out that visitors often approach brown bears in Shiretoko even though they know it is illegal, knowing full well that no one has faced penalties because the law cannot be enforced. 'If this continues, there will be accidents involving tourists and residents,' he said. 'We need a serious approach to implementing realistic laws and ordinances related to wildlife.'
Asahi Shimbun
5 days ago
- Asahi Shimbun
UNESCO heritage sites in Japan facing challenges of overtourism
To combat overtourism, Iriomotejima island, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in Taketomi, Okinawa Prefecture, has restricted the number of visitors at some of its tourist spots since March. In comparison, some other natural world heritage sites in Japan have lifted restrictions on tourists. Still, the five UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites in Japan are exploring ways to protect their creature habitats and ecosystems while simultaneously boosting the local economy through tourism. In July 2021, Amami-Oshima island, Tokunoshima island, northern Okinawa island and Iriomotejima island were added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. Of the four, Iriomotejima island was asked to strengthen measures against overtourism by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Subsequently, the island authorities limited the number of tourists at five specific spots in need of environmental conservation. For example, the Pinaisara waterfall, which previously attracted as many as 350 tourists a day, now has a daily limit of 200 visitors. Sangara falls is also limited to 100 daily visitors and Mount Tedou to 30. 'We made a good start without major confusion, successfully keeping tourist numbers below the limit even during the long holiday period, which is our busiest season,' said Harumi Tokuoka, former secretary-general of the Iriomote Foundation. Tokuoka discussed taking measures against overtourism with the town of Taketomi, the Environment Ministry and local related parties. 'We'll work on newly found issues while trying to gain the understanding of tourists and tour guides,' she said. The Shirakami-Sanchi mountains, which straddle Aomori and Akita prefectures, were designated as Japan's first World Natural Heritage site in December 1993. Visitor restrictions were introduced in the mountains in 1997 due to concerns over increased mountaineering after the designation and the environmental impact. In the core heritage area, the Aomori side allows access only via designated trails with prior notification, while access to the area is generally prohibited on the Akita side. EASING OR LIFTING RESTRICTIONS Meanwhile, some World Natural Heritage sites in Japan are now reviewing their access restrictions. Shiretoko in Hokkaido, which became a World Natural Heritage site in July 2005, has restricted the number of visitors on the pathways at Shiretoko Goko Lakes since 2011. However, a council consisting of representatives of the Environment Ministry, the town of Shari, and the Shiretoko Nature Foundation decided in March to ease the daily cap from 500 to 700 visitors during the active brown bear season from May 10 through July, starting next season. The decision was made because the recovery of vegetation from the damage caused by tourists walking off the trails has been confirmed. 'Walkways have been improved to protect vegetation, and tourist manners have also improved,' said Norihiko Futagami, a senior official at the Environment Ministry's Utoro office. 'We will continue monitoring and implement measures to prevent bears from becoming accustomed to humans.' In Tokyo's Ogasawara island chain, which was designated as a World Natural Heritage site in June 2011, a cap of 100 visitors per day for visiting Minamijima island from Chichijima island by boat was lifted in June 2023. The Tokyo metropolitan government and Ogasawara village confirmed there were no environmental conservation issues after 20 years of enforcing the rules since 2003. Damage from tourists taking the trail to the symbolic Jomon Sugi cedar tree became an issue on Yakushima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, another World Natural Heritage site, which was registered alongside Shirakami-Sanchi in 1993. Although a draft of an ordinance to restrict entry was proposed in the town assembly in 2011, it was rejected due to concerns that it could reduce tourist numbers. Currently, from March to November, private vehicle access is restricted on roads leading to the entrance of a main trail to reduce the environmental impact. NATURE GUIDES AS A SOLUTION Despite varying approaches to visitor access regulation, a common practice is to deploy guides with expertise in local geography, ecosystems and culture. These guides help ensure tourist safety and environmental protection, aiming to realize both nature conservation and sustainable growth of the local economy. In the five restricted areas on Iriomotejima island and during the active bear season in the Shiretoko Goko Lakes, the presence of a local guide is mandatory. In the Ogasawara island chain, visiting Minamijima or Hahajima's Sekimon area requires accompaniment by a guide. Yakushima island authorities are also considering requiring climbers to be led by certified guides or to attend environmental conservation briefings beforehand. 5 HERITAGE SITES MEET AT EXPO In June, the Conference of Five Regions with World Natural Heritage Sites, which consisted of 23 municipalities from the five natural heritage sites, met at the Osaka Kansai expo venue. The five heritage sites presented their efforts for the co-existence of humans and nature. They also issued a joint message emphasizing the need for collaboration beyond national borders in balancing environmental protection and economic activities, as well as addressing the challenges necessary to creating virtuous cycles. The characteristics of the natural environment and the tourist trends vary among the five natural heritage sites. 'World Heritage sites are constantly under threat from development and tourism pressure," said Haruhisa Furuta, director of the Sekaiisan Research Institute. "It is crucial for natural and cultural heritage sites to exchange information and work together to address common challenges through collective wisdom.'
Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
LG Uplus' KidsTopia Combines AI Edutainment with Ecology and K-POP Content for a New Customer Experience
SEOUL, South Korea, April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Uplus ( is leading the way in providing unique customer experiences by updating the experience center of its digital kids theme park, 'KidsTopia'. This platform allows children to explore and learn about foreign languages, animals, dinosaurs, and space through interactions with AI characters in a 3D virtual space. The number of users from Southeast Asia, including Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, is growing, with over 1.6 million cumulative subscribers. Southeast Asian users make up 60% of the monthly user base. Virtual Tidal Flat Experience: Recognized for its unique ecological value and listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, the tidal flat has been recreated as a virtual space. Children can take pictures of about 120 different species or dig them up from the tidal flat to complete a guidebook. Detailed information about each species and quizzes are also available. This includes rare creatures like the 'swimming crab', 'nerite snail', and 'mudskipper', which are expected to be popular with overseas users. K-POP Virtual Experience Center: The 'ifeye' virtual experience center allows users to immerse themselves in K-POP. At the entrance, KASIA, a member of the girl group 'ifeye', introduces the group. Inside, users can watch videos and pictorials, enjoy virtual performances of each member's character, and follow the choreography with their own character. The 'ifeye' is a six-member girl group that debuted on the 8th of this month, and their debut song "NERDY" reached 10 million views in just 11 days. KidsTopia's virtual experiences stand out from traditional one-way content like videos by allowing users to engage with the content interactively and earn rewards through a mission-reward structure. KidsTopia has been recognized for its service stability and suitability for children, winning the 'Minister of Science and ICT Award' at the '2024 Metaverse Alliance and Self-Regulation Achievement Sharing Conference' in Korea and the 'Gold Medal' in the application category at the '2024 Mom's Choice Awards', a global certification program for child suitability. Kim Min-gu, PM of LG Uplus' KidsTopia TF, said, "KidsTopia's experiential content effectively connects learning experiences to the global alpha generation, providing fun and immersive learning opportunities. We look forward to future collaborations with various companies that have experiential content and brands targeting the global alpha generation."
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Hyundai Motor makes first-ever delivery of electric buses in Japan
Hyundai Motor said on Monday it has delivered five electric buses to the transportation unit of Japan's Iwasaki Group , marking its first commercial electric bus delivery in the neighbouring country. The South Korean automaker held a delivery ceremony for the Elec City Town buses with Iwasaki Group in Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture. The units were delivered to Tanegashima-Yakushima Kotsu Co. under the Japanese group, reports Yonhap news agency. The ceremony was attended by around 80 participants, including Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon, Toshiyuki Shimegi, head of Hyundai Mobility Japan Co., and Iwasaki Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Yoshitaro Iwasaki. Chang highlighted the significance of Yakushima's environment for testing sustainable mobility solutions . "Yakushima is the kind of special environment where the value of mobility solutions truly shines," he said. "We hope to present a model of coexistence between environment, technology and the local community." Iwasaki expressed hope that the new electric buses would provide a new standard for the region's transport system. "We want to make the Elec City Town the new standard for local transportation and achieve a balance between environmental preservation and revitalization of the local economy," he said. Hyundai Motor signed a letter of intent with Iwasaki Group in July last year for the supply of the five medium-sized, low-floor Elec City Town electric buses. Powered by a 145 kilowatt-hour battery (kWh) and a high-efficiency motor, the vehicles are suited to operate in the ecologically sensitive Yakushima region, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site known for its ancient cedar forests and diverse plant ecosystems, according to Hyundai Motor. Kagoshima Prefecture has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and plans to transform Yakushima into a zero-emission island by transitioning vehicles on the island to electric or other carbon-free cars. On the previous day, Hyundai Motor signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with the local government to promote the use of EVs on the island. The agreement includes utilizing the vehicle-to-home function of the Elec City Town to supply power to evacuation centres and medical facilities during natural disaster emergencies.
