Abstract
The knowledge and technologies accumulated in the field of conservation ecology should, in pursuit of its practical mission of biodiversity conservation, be reflected in the political decision-making that turns the wheels of society. This article compares the historical background and current status of legislative developments and operations regarding national conservation policies between Japan and the United States as they relate to the conservation of endangered species, control of alien species, and biosafety of genetically modified organisms. The backlash against the loss of ecological integrity owing to the massive resource exploitation of the Western frontier has fostered a conservation philosophy and civic movement in the United States. Biologists, aware of the value of biodiversity, promoted the early development of nature and biodiversity conservation policies in the nation. Industrial circles with strong interests in the economic value of biodiversity also influenced the American biodiversity policy. While the United States has not ratified the Convention of Biological Diversity thus far, Japan, on the other hand, signed the Convention in 1993, triggering the Japanese government to belatedly tackle issues of biodiversity conservation from a national perspective. It is premature to evaluate Japan's legislation developed over the past decade regarding biodiversity conservation. However, in view of the rapid decline of biodiversity throughout the nation, academic achievements in conservation ecology are expected to effectively contribute to social practices through greater political assertiveness and improved social competence.
