Zhangixalus arboreus, which is endemic species in Japan, is widely distributed throughout the main island of Japan. This species was introduced to Izu-Oshima Island by human activity, where it multiplied and was subsequently classified as a domestic invasive species. This species is considered rare in Kanagawa Prefecture. Although few records of findings prior to the 1980s exist, reports of findings since the 1980s were initially sparse and limited to a few locations. In recent years, this species has been reported to occur successively from western to central Kanagawa Prefecture and in some eastern regions of the prefecture as well, which suggests the possibility of their spread via human activity. Phylogenetic data for this species throughout Japan were reported in 2019, but relatively little data came from Kanagawa Prefecture. In this study, we analyzed the haplotype distribution of this species at several sites in Kanagawa Prefecture to clarify their origins. While some native strains may spread in the northern and central locales, strains with completely different haplotypes were found at other sites, suggesting that most of this species in Kanagawa Prefecture have been introduced by humans. The concept of domestic invasive species is not yet widely understood. Many people believe that no problems are caused by the introduction of a species by humans into an area where it already exists. We hope that the results of this study will help prevent the spread of domestically introduced species in Japan.

 In Japan, the distribution of raccoons (Procyon lotor) is expanding and management measures vary by region. Although adaptive management based on current assessments is crucial for the management of invasive species, the assessment of current raccoon management measures is insufficient, and national trends remain unclear. Therefore, this study analyzed the status of raccoon control plans, their initiators, and their content (including objectives and monitoring items) to understand the nationwide situation of raccoon control. Results from the analysis of 303 raccoon control plans collected nationwide from March to June 2022 suggested insufficient progress in control efforts in areas of expanded distribution and low population density. Furthermore, the plans formulated by prefectures tended to include more monitoring items and had a higher rate of information disclosure than those formulated by municipalities. This finding suggests the effectiveness of prefectures in undertaking monitoring activities. In addition, no significant differences were detected in the objectives and monitoring items between the responsible departments.

 Human-bear conflicts have been serious issues in Japan, and the highest number of bears were captured and number of casualties were also the highest on the record in the fiscal year of 2023. In Shiretoko, Hokkaido, where around 15,000 residents live and more than 1.7 million tourists visit, there have been no citizen casualties by bear attacks recorded. In this research, we studied how the brown bear education program started in Shiretoko Utoro school as well as potential impacts of the program toward students. Interviews toward the personnel who were involved in developing the bear education program nearly 20 years ago revealed that the program was introduced as a part of school curriculum through collaboration with Shari town, Shiretoko Nature Foundation, and Shiretoko Utoro school. Survey revealed that while majority of students have seen wild bears in their daily lives, the higher graders tend to have more knowledge about bears as well as higher tolerance toward bears. This research identified not only how the bear education program was developed in Shiretoko but also potential impacts generated by such program toward students as well as residents.

 Kuchinoerabu-jima is extremely valuable in terms of biodiversity conservation. However, little is known about its avifauna compared to surrounding islands. In particular, there is no information on the summer avifauna in this island. We first surveyed bird assemblage of Kuchinoerabu-jima in the summer of 2022 and detected 15 species, including 3 endangered and 6 newly recorded species. 60% of the species identified were resident birds, but some of the newly recorded species were migratory birds staying for the summer or resting on the way to their final destination. Thus, our study provided basic information needed when considering the ecosystem conservation of Kuchinoerabu-jima.

 During the Heian period to the Kamakura period, numerous tankas, or Japanese poems of thirty-one syllables, were composed regarding wicker works known as Ajiro-weir installed along the Uji River. Historical records suggest that during this period, Ajiro-weir was actively used for whitebait fishing, primarily conducted from late September to early February of the following year, serving as a supplier to the aristocracy. In present-day Omi region of Shiga Prefecture, whitebait refers to young ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) caught in Lake Biwa before developing pigmentation on their body surface. Ayu, which are vulnerable in their larval stage, inhabit still waters such as lakes and are not typically found in the flowing waters of the Uji River. To estimate the identity of whitebait caught in Ajiro-weir, Sr/Ca analysis and daily growth analysis using otolith were conducted on upstream migrating ayu passing through the estuary barrage of the Yodo River. The findings indicated that some of these migratory fish hatched in rivers flowing into Lake Biwa and spent several dozen days in freshwater. Our result estimates that in the past, Ajiro fisheries likely targeted larvae of land-locked ayu that accidentally flowed out of Lake Biwa.