- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government established an Advisory Council on the Regulation of Ivory Trade in January 2020. With the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 serving as a trigger, Tokyo has been cooperating with the national government and business operators to tackle the illegal handing of ivory, and has widely raised awareness both domestically and internationally.
- As a result of these efforts we are proud to have had no reports of large scale illegal ivory trade throughout the Tokyo 2020 Games.
- Tokyo will continue to fulfill its responsibility as a safe and sustainable city.
Regulations on ivory trade in Japan
- International trade in ivory and ivory products is restricted by the Washington Convention and prohibited in principle by the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law from bringing into or taking out of Japan.
- In Japan, trading of ivory products is prohibited in principle by the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. However, as an exception, transactions are possible in the case of obtaining ivory products from businesses that have been registered as Special International Species Business Operators, and in the case of exchanging whole tusks that have been registered in advance with the registration slip attached.
- All registered business operators are obligated to keep a detailed data inventory, including information such as transaction records and traceable data on cut pieces.
Efforts by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- In response to international concerns about Japan's ivory trade, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has set up the " Advisory Council on the Regulation of Ivory Trade" to study how ivory trading should be conducted in Tokyo.
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as the host city of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, has decided to implement measures to prevent the illegal transportation of ivory products overseas by cooperating with the national government and business operators, taking into consideration the opinions of the expert panel.
Effort 1: Prevention of Illegal Transportation to Overseas
In order to thoroughly prevent the sale of ivory products that may be taken overseas, we are requiring the following points from registered businesses in Tokyo.
- Make it known at the sales counter that "taking the product overseas is prohibited in principle."
- Confirm with prospective purchasers that they intend "not to take the product overseas."
- Refrain from selling when the product may be taken overseas, such as when the prospective purchaser is a visitor from a foreign country.
Effort 2: Raising Awareness
In cooperation with the national government (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of the Environment; Customs, etc.), we have been raising awareness among people both in Japan and overseas in order to make it thoroughly known that "illegally taking ivory products, etc. out of Japan to overseas is not allowed." Posters and leaflets were displayed/ distributed in stores, airports, train stations, public facilities, media/ press centers for the Tokyo 2020 Games and more.
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Report of the Advisory Council on the Regulation of Ivory Trade
- Recommendation 1: Urging the national government to make nationwide efforts under law towards more strict regulations on ivory trade.
- Recommendation 2: Continuing the efforts to prevent overseas export of ivory made by using the Tokyo 2020 Games as a momentum, to prepare for recovery in the number of foreign tourists to Japan.
- Recommendation 3: Considering legal or other effective means to prevent contributions to poaching and illegal trade while protecting ivory culture and arts.
In January 20220, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government set up the "Advisory Council on the Regulation of Ivory Trade" to study how ivory trading should be conducted in Tokyo. On March 29, 2022, at the 7th Council's Meeting, a report summarizing the discussions was compiled and recommendations were made to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. For the purpose of contributing to the Tokyo's future efforts to ensure proper ivory trade, this report provides an organized summary of discussions conducted by the Advisory Council during the period from January 2020 to March 2022, regarding, among other things, the current situation of, and challenges surrounding, ivory trade, and measures to ensure proper ivory trade.
- See here for the details of the Advisory Council meetings (Japanese Only)
