On 21 June 2026, The Japan News published an opinion piece by Sayako Koyama (Research Associate, UNU-IAS), which discusses the recent reintroduction of crested ibises on the Noto Peninsula in Japan. The bird species became locally extinct in the wild in 1970.
The article highlights the importance of satoyama landscapes for the survival of the species — areas where harmonious interactions between people and nature maintain biodiversity while supporting human livelihoods and well-being. It also examines difficulties around maintaining such landscapes, including the aging of local farmers, abandoned fields and the impacts of natural disasters such as earthquakes and torrential rains.
Excerpt:
The crested ibis has long depended on environments shaped by human beings. It thrives in satoyama landscapes — mosaics of rice paddies, wetlands and woodlands maintained through traditional agricultural practices. In this sense, the ibis is not simply a symbol of biodiversity, but of coexistence between nature and human livelihoods.
The Japan News is the English-language sister publication of Japan’s highest-circulation daily newspaper, The Yomiuri Shimbun.
The full article is available on The Japan News website and in print.
