Messages from our Peers
Parks, Green Spaces and Landscape Division
City Bureau
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Government of Japan
The Japanese wisdom and tradition of living in harmony with nature, which was demonstrated at COP10 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, is applied in urban development throughout Japan. We believe that its social implementation is essential for the realization of a world that exists in harmony with nature.
As it has also been pointed out that the greatest global-scale threats we now confront are climate change and the loss of biodiversity, we must take all possible measures to address these issues. To that end, I would like to express my respect to JBIB for advancing initiatives that make the most of the networks built among companies.
In 2019, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism formulated a strategy for advancing the development of green infrastructure, and is now actively engaged in national, regional, and urban planning to build sustainable and attractive areas that make good use of the diverse ecosystem services brought about by natural capital.
The development of green infrastructure has also been positioned in national plans including the Basic Plan on Water Cycle, the Basic Policy for Nature Restoration, and the Annual Plan for National Resilience.
Green infrastructure depends on an area’s history, culture, and biodiversity, among other factors, and is social common capital that is nurtured and grown through proper human involvement.
Its many various functions include response to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters caused by climate change; the formation of comfortable living spaces and attractive globally-competitive urban spaces through the strategic use of greenery and water; and the conservation and creation of natural environments and landscapes, centering on ecosystem networks. And it even contributes to the promotion of the United Nations SDGs.
Centering on platforms for private, public and academic partnerships, we have already launched a wide range of activities in areas from social dissemination, to studies and research, fund procurement, and advisory services.
We will continue to contribute to COP15 and the future through co-creation with JBIB members who are ambitiously advancing initiatives for biodiversity.