Japan’s Initiatives to Promote OECMs toward the 30×30 Target through Whole-of-Society Approach

Summary (50–75 words)
Japan’s 30×30 Roadmap, established in 2022, sets a structured pathway toward the 30×30 target. Since 2023, Japan has been implementing the certification scheme of the natural sites managed by non-governmental sectors as “Kyosei Sites”. Japan has certified 448 sites and has already reported 282 sites to the world database as OECMs. Japan also launched another certification scheme for “support”, which provides conservation activities carried out in “Kyosei sites”, in 2025. This approach emphasizes inclusivity, stakeholder engagement, and Nature-based Solutions across terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Scaling Conservation through Japan’s Kyosei Sites

Japan has established a comprehensive roadmap to achieve the 30×30 target by integrating protected areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Currently, 21 percent of its land and 13.3 percent of its waters are under protection through such as national parks, nature reserves, and special management zones. Japan’s 30by30 Roadmap outlines actions to expand and strengthen this network through improved management quality, legal recognition of new areas, and enhanced coordination among local governments and private actors. Importantly, the roadmap emphasizes that achieving 30×30 will not rely solely on protected areas but also on OECM initiatives led by diverse stakeholders.

Japan launched a national scheme that certifies natural sites that contribute to biodiversity conservation through various entities’ initiatives in2023. The certified areas are designated as “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites”, or “Kyosei Sites”, which means “Nature-Harmonized Sites”in Japanese. This certification scheme was legislated and a new law of “the Act on Promoting Activities to Enhance Regional Biodiversity” came into force in April 2025 to further promote conservation activities by non-governmental actors.

448 “Kyosei Sites”, covering 99,000 hectares have been certified as of September 2025. The certified areas excluding protected areas are reported to the world database as OECMs. 282 sites, covering 54,500 hectares, have been reported to the world database as OECMs.

These areas include satoyama (traditional rural landscapes with conservation and sustainable use of local natural resources by human intervention), corporate-owned forests for water conservation, community-managed fishing grounds, and urban green spaces. The criteria for the certification are aligned with CBD COP Decision 14/8 and IUCN guidance, ensuring rigorous standards for governance, conservation outcomes, and long-term management. Each site undergoes a thorough evaluation by experts before being officially certified, guaranteeing credibility and scientific integrity.

Another certification scheme for “support” provided to conservation activities carried out in “Kyosei Sites” was launched in August 2025. Through this scheme, supporters who offered financial, human, or technical support to biodiversity conservation activities in “Kyosei Sites” can get a government-issued certification of their support. One of the goals of this certification scheme is to enable companies to highlight their certification in communication with investors such as TNFD reports, to show investors and stakeholders they’re seriously working towards biodiversity conservation. In this way, the scheme aims to enhance the company’s value, attract more investment into businesses working for biodiversity conservation, and create a positive cycle that encourages companies to take even more ambitious actions for biodiversity conservation.

To advance the mainstreaming of biodiversity across society, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and other relevant stakeholders established the 30×30 Alliance for Biodiversity, a national coalition of companies, municipalities, NGOs, and research institutions that pledge actions to conserve or restore land and water ecosystems. Japan‘s 30×30 Roadmap integrates biodiversity with carbon sequestration, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation, framing conservation as a cornerstone of national resilience.

Outcomes and Lessons

Outcomes & Lessons (100–150 words)
Japan’s 30by30 initiative demonstrates how densely populated and relatively small country can advance biodiversity conservation through inclusive governance and innovative certification tools. The OECM certification scheme enables recognition of conservation happening on private, community, and corporate owned lands, greatly expanding the conservation estate beyond government-managed areas. Key lessons include the value of a standardized national framework aligned with global criteria, the effectiveness of public–private collaboration through the 30×30 Alliance, and the importance of integrating biodiversity with climate actions and socio-economic benefits. Ongoing challenges include ensuring monitoring consistency across OECM types and maintaining engagement from diverse stakeholders. Overall, Japan’s approach offers a replicable model that other countries can adopt to integrate biodiversity conservation into national development and sustainability agenda of corporate.