Japanese Red List

The Japanese Red List (レッドリスト, reddo risuto) is the Japanese domestic counterpart to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The national Red List is compiled and maintained by the Ministry of the Environment, alongside a separate Red List for marine organisms. Similarly drawing on the relevant scientific authorities, NGOs, and local governments, the Ministry of the Environment also prepares and publishes a Red Data Book (レッドドデータブック, reddo dēta bukku) that provides further information on species and habitats.^[3][4]

The first Red List was published by the then Environmental Agency as part of the first Red Data Book in 1991; in 2020, the fifth edition of the fourth version of the Red List was published.^[2][5] In line with the Marine Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, decided upon by the Ministry in 2011, in 2017 the first Marine Life Red List was published, excluding species subject to international agreements, such as those within the remit of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) (e.g., Pacific bluefin tuna) and International Whaling Commission (IWC), species under evaluation by the Fisheries Agency, smaller Cetaceans, and those already evaluated for the Red List.^[6]

With the renewed focus on evaluating the rarity or otherwise of marine life in line with the National Biodiversity Strategy 2012–2020, using the same evaluation criteria and categories as the Ministry of the Environment, and working in collaboration with the Ministry, the Fisheries Agency has also produced a Red List of marine resources and smaller Cetaceans, excluding species subject to international agreements, such as those in the remit of the WCPFC and IWC.^[7] Evaluations of 94 species were published in 2017, all falling outside the rankings (i.e., being of Least Concern), other than Pleuronichthys japonicus (Data Deficient).^[2][7]

The Red List (and Red Data Book) itself has no legal force but is intended to be used to provide information and to serve as a "warning to society".^[3] Appropriate action may be taken under the 1992 Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Act [ja].^[6]