Natural Coexistence Sites Certified Under Regional Biodiversity Act
Overview
Under the Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act, 122 Natural Coexistence Sites were certified in the second round of FY2026. The certifications comprised 116 Site Promotion Activity Plans and 6 Collaborative Promotion Activity Plans. Japan now has 700 Natural Coexistence Sites covering 127,000 hectares. The effort supports the 30by30 target of effectively conserving at least 30% of land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030.
Key points
- Certification of Natural Coexistence Sites is advancing as part of efforts toward nature positive outcomes.
- Under the Act, two types of plans involving businesses and other organizations, and municipalities are certified.
- The second certification round of FY2026 was completed following expert review.
Overview
The National Biodiversity Strategy, revised in March 2023, sets out the goal of achieving nature positive outcomes by halting and reversing biodiversity loss, and incorporates the 30by30 target. The target is to effectively conserve at least 30% of land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030.
Since FY2023, the Ministry of the Environment has recognized areas where biodiversity is being conserved through private-sector and other initiatives as Natural Coexistence Sites.
Impact
With this certification, the number of Natural Coexistence Sites in Japan increased to 700, covering 127,000 hectares.
Details
The Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act took effect in April 2025, establishing a system under which the competent ministers certify biodiversity promotion plans prepared by businesses and other organizations. The competent ministers are the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Eligible plans include Site Promotion Activity Plans prepared and carried out by businesses, NPOs, and others, and Collaborative Promotion Activity Plans coordinated by municipalities in collaboration with diverse local stakeholders. In the second round of FY2026, following expert review, 116 sites under the former category and 6 under the latter were certified. Profiles of individual areas are available through the Natural Coexistence Site Search Navigator.