Satoyama Conservation Movement

A health promotion activity in forest environments promoted by Japan's Forestry Agency since the 1980s. Its stress-reducing effects are scientifically proven and now applied in medical and psychological fields. Forest bathing tourism in satoyama and national forests is rapidly growing, meeting urban residents' wellness demands. A lifestyle practice combining Japanese slow-life philosophy with sustainability.

A traditional Japanese rural landscape where humans and nature coexist. Forests, rice paddies, and settlements form an integrated sustainable ecosystem model that has gained international recognition. It draws attention as a model case for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use.

Conservation activities for secondary forests where humans and nature coexist. Balancing biodiversity with regional economic revitalization through satoyama utilization. Programs by NPOs and local governments operate in hundreds of regions nationwide. Bamboo grove maintenance, vegetable cultivation, and eco-tourism generate hundreds of millions of yen annually. Gaining international attention as Japan's sustainable nature coexistence model in the SDG era.

Traditional landscapes demonstrating harmony between humans and nature. Semi-natural areas where human management maintains biodiversity. Satoyama conservation efforts simultaneously address rural depopulation and environmental protection. Recognized by the UN as a sustainable regional society model, demonstrating integrated solutions to environmental and social challenges.

Ecosystems of hilly/coastal regions created through human-nature coexistence. Facing challenges from depopulation but gaining renewed value through tourism development and conservation efforts. Functions as integrated approach to biodiversity protection, regional revitalization, and carbon neutrality.

A concept of coastal seas appropriately managed by human activity. As the oceanic counterpart of Satoyama, fishers sustain biodiversity and marine resources through seagrass bed restoration and tidal flat conservation. Introduced internationally at COP10 in 2010, Satoumi has gained global attention as a new model for coastal zone management.

Activities to conserve satoyama—landscapes with human-nature coexistence in rural areas. Multifaceted value including biodiversity maintenance, community revitalization, and agricultural experience venues. Urban volunteer participation makes it important for regional revitalization. Growing international recognition through increased UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designations.