The Conflict between the Conservation and the Use of the National Parks in Japan between 1931 and 1971(Feature Articles for the Symposium,Address for the Symposium in March 30, 2014)

Abstract

The National Park System was founded by the National Park Act in 1931 with the objectives of the nature conservation and the use of National Parks; however, it was unclear which factor should be given emphasis. The National Park System was maintained under a poor management structure with a limited budget. Under such a national park system, the government authorized construction of a hydro power station which was demanded by the growing industries within the national parks without considering a policy for the conservation of the important natural resources. The Nature Park Act was established in 1957; however, this act did not include any new regulations with regard to the conservation of nature, and it merely superseded the 1931 Act. The government had actively developed the national parks for tourism. This meant that the use of national parks had increased rapidly, which caused the destruction of important natural features and pollution to the environment due to overuse. The government did not regulate an effective policy for the conservation of nature and the environment. This poor national park system is in great need of reformation to a system that has plentiful financial resources and an effective management structure.