Wild Bird Society of Japan

Wild Bird Society of Japan was founded in Tokyo in 1934 as a Japanese organization devoted to birds, birdwatching, and conservation. Over time, it developed from a birdwatching and ornithological association into a broad environmental organization combining membership activities, publications, education, field research, habitat protection, and policy advocacy. Its work reflects the importance of Japan within the East Asian–Australasian migratory flyway, where wetlands, tidal flats, rivers, and coastal areas provide essential feeding and resting sites for migratory birds. WBSJ’s public-facing work includes the dissemination of bird knowledge through its newsletter, Strix, and through field-guide and regional bird publications. The Field Guide to the Birds of Japan and Birds of East Asia have supported identification and study by observers in Japan and neighboring parts of Asia. A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Japan by Mark Brazil is also associated with the organization’s publication and educational activities. These resources have helped make systematic bird observation accessible to both experienced ornithologists and general birdwatchers. Conservation advocacy became an important part of the society’s history. In one long-running Hokkaido campaign, WBSJ joined other conservation groups in opposing proposed drainage channels along the Chitose River. After roughly 15 years of lobbying, the Hokkaido Government decided not to construct the channels. The organization and its partners also successfully opposed a plan to reclaim Fujimae Tidal Flat. Because the tidal flat serves as a major stopover for shorebirds, the outcome is regarded as an important example of habitat-focused civic advocacy in Japan. WBSJ later expanded its work through international partnerships. In cooperation with the Taiwan Wild Bird Federation, the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, and additional organizations, it participated in a project supported by the Japan Fund for Global Environment and Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture. The project followed black-faced spoonbills and helped reveal previously unknown nesting locations in Korea’s demilitarized zone, as well as other significant stopover sites in China. This work illustrates how coordinated observation and tracking can inform conservation across national borders. The society also collaborated with the Heilongjiang Farm Bureau on designing nature reserves in China’s Sanjiang Plain, with sponsorship from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. In partnership with Wetlands International, it contributed to efforts promoting the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy. In Russia, WBSJ funded and supported the opening of an education center at Muraviovka Nature Park. It has also participated in Japan–Australia links relating to migratory-bird conservation, within the wider context of the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement that entered into force in 1981. WBSJ is a BirdLife International Partner, placing it within an international network of bird-conservation organizations. Its reported membership of about 47,000 indicates a substantial domestic constituency. The organization’s historical identity therefore rests on three connected roles: enabling people to observe and understand birds, producing and circulating ornithological knowledge, and advocating for the habitats and international routes on which birds depend. Available reference material does not identify a founder, current executives, detailed finances, or a complete chronology of organizational changes.

• 1981

  Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement enters into force

  [1]Wild Bird Society of Japanen.wikipedia.org

  The Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement came into force, providing an international framework relevant to migratory-bird conservation links in which Japan and Australia have cooperated.

• 1934

  Organization founded in Tokyo

  [1]Wild Bird Society of Japanen.wikipedia.org

  Wild Bird Society of Japan was established in Tokyo as an organization dedicated to birds, birdwatching, and related conservation work.

• Chitose River drainage-channel plan abandoned

  [1]Wild Bird Society of Japanen.wikipedia.org

  Following about 15 years of lobbying by WBSJ and other conservation organizations, the Hokkaido Government chose not to build drainage channels along the Chitose River.

• Fujimae Tidal Flat reclamation plan dropped

  [1]Wild Bird Society of Japanen.wikipedia.org

  WBSJ and allied organizations helped secure the cancellation of a reclamation plan affecting the important shorebird stopover at Fujimae Tidal Flat.

• International migratory-bird projects expand

  [1]Wild Bird Society of Japanen.wikipedia.org

  WBSJ participated in cross-border projects involving black-faced spoonbills, Chinese stopover sites, the Sanjiang Plain, and the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy.

A Japanese nonprofit bird-conservation and birdwatching organization that combines field observation, public education, publications, habitat advocacy, and international cooperation across the East Asian–Australasian migratory flyway.

• Newsletter

  Strix

  Strix is the organization’s newsletter and a channel for communicating bird-related knowledge, observations, conservation topics, and society activities to its membership and wider audience.

• Field guide

  Field Guide to the Birds of Japan

  A bird-identification reference associated with Wild Bird Society of Japan’s educational and ornithological publishing work. It supports observation and identification of birds found in Japan.

• Regional bird guide

  Birds of East Asia

  A regional bird publication associated with WBSJ’s effort to make bird knowledge available across East Asia and to support observation in a region connected by shared migratory routes.

• Birdwatching guide

  A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Japan

  A guide to birdwatching in Japan by Mark Brazil, associated with the organization’s publication and educational activities and intended to help observers locate and understand bird habitats.

• Chitose River habitat campaign

  Japan

  WBSJ joined other conservation organizations in a long campaign against construction of drainage channels along the Chitose River in Hokkaido. The advocacy continued for approximately 15 years and was followed by the Hokkaido Government’s decision not to build the channels.

  Outcome. The drainage-channel plan was not pursued.

  Source
• Fujimae Tidal Flat protection campaign

  Japan

  WBSJ and partner organizations advocated against reclamation of Fujimae Tidal Flat, an important stopover site for migratory shorebirds.

  Outcome. The reclamation plan was dropped.

  Source
• Black-faced spoonbill tracking project

  Japan · Taiwan · Hong Kong · South Korea · China

  Working with the Taiwan Wild Bird Federation, the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, and other groups, WBSJ participated in a project supported by the Japan Fund for Global Environment and Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture. The project tracked black-faced spoonbills and improved knowledge of nesting and stopover locations.

  Outcome. Previously unknown nesting sites in Korea’s demilitarized zone and additional important stopover sites in China were identified.

  Source
• Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy

  Asia-Pacific

  WBSJ worked with Wetlands International to promote a regional conservation strategy for migratory waterbirds and the habitats supporting them.

  Source
• Sanjiang Plain nature-reserve planning

  China

  WBSJ worked with the Heilongjiang Farm Bureau on the design of nature reserves in China’s Sanjiang Plain, with sponsorship from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

  Source

1. 1Wild Bird Society of Japanen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Wild Bird Society of Japan official websitewbsj.org