The Ecosystem Restoration Project Using Wolves - From January 1999 to 2023

The Ecosystem Restoration Project Using Wolves - From January 1999 to 2023

**Background and Initial Concept (1990s)**
The extinction of the Japanese wolf in 1905 had a serious impact on the ecosystem. In the late 1990s, Dr. Naoki Maruyama, an ecologist from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, proposed a plan to introduce Chinese wolves to Japan as a replacement to help restore ecosystems that were suffering from excessive deer population. This concept was particularly focused on areas where overpopulation of deer led to forest and farmland degradation, such as Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture, and the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido.

**Early Challenges and Adjustments (2000s)**
In the areas being considered for wolf introduction, the increasing number of deer continued to expand its impact on plant life, leading to notable soil erosion and water resource degradation. In Nikko National Park, it was reported that around 150 tons of soil were eroding annually, while Shiretoko's forests were losing moisture retention with a deer population exceeding 60000. This environmental degradation led to increased instability in the ecosystem. However, concerns over the risk of wolves impacting livestock or affecting tourist safety resulted in a cautious approach toward the implementation of this plan.

**Trial Stages and Expanded Support (2010s)**
By the 2010s, environmental protection organizations like WWF Japan and the Ecology Network emphasized the importance of introducing wolves, expanding financial and technical support. Successful wolf reintroduction cases in Canada and the U.S. also supported this concept in Japan. Additionally, eco-tourism began flourishing in places like Nikko and Shiretoko, and the potential of wolf-based forest conservation to economically support regional areas gained attention.

**Concrete Trials and Technological Development (2020s)**
As of the 2020s, deer-related damage has intensified nationwide, and the need for ecosystem management through wolf introduction has become more pressing. In 2021, the Ministry of the Environment established the "Wolf Reintroduction Examination Committee," initiating plans for nationwide deer population control. In 2023, the national deer population reached an estimated 3000000, with soil erosion amounting to 500 tons annually in Nikko National Park and 200 tons in the Kii Mountains. Forest ecosystems in Shiretoko were also severely degraded, underscoring the urgent need for natural environmental protection.

In response, experimental electric fences were installed, with Wakayama and Nagano prefectures having approximately 200 kilometers of fencing. This initiative aimed to reduce the risk of livestock attacks, and the cost, at around 120000 yen per kilometer, was supported by subsidies from municipalities and the Ministry of the Environment. Additionally, a GPS tracking system for wolves was introduced with the support of Cyber Technologies Inc., improving risk management for farmers and municipalities by sharing monitoring data.

**Increasing Economic Impact and Community Support**
The Natural Symbiosis Fund (NSF) estimates that the introduction of wolves could save up to 500 million yen annually in environmental preservation costs. The demand for eco-tourism in areas like Nikko and Shiretoko is also growing, with projections that regional economies will generate 2 billion yen in annual profits. Wolf introduction is gaining value as a natural tourism resource. A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to raise 1 billion yen annually, with about 30% of donations eligible for tax deductions, expanding support from companies and citizens.

**Future Prospects**
With the introduction of wolves, forest destruction by deer is expected to be mitigated, allowing ecosystems to regain a healthier cycle. Wolf introduction is anticipated to contribute to sustainable tourism and regional economic development, laying the foundation for further natural environmental protection with community support.