Illuminating Amphibians: The amphibian trade in Japan

Despite being the world’s most threatened vertebrate group plagued by various threats, only about 201 amphibian species (roughly 2.4% of known amphibians) have their trade regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Reducing the impact of the unregulated pet trade is, therefore, an urgent priority for the global conservation of amphibians.

Last year, TRAFFIC assessed high-risk amphibian species currently not listed in CITES, using the import records of the USA; the largest importer of CITES-listed amphibians. According to CITES trade data, Japan is the second-largest importer of CITES-listed amphibian specimens. TRAFFIC has since conducted rapid surveys of physical and online markets in Japan, as a prime consumer country and source of amphibians, to identify species at the greatest risk from trade.

Given the sheer lack of regulatory oversight, it’s likely that species already at risk of extinction are being captured and sold into the pet trade. We are calling for urgent action to stem the impacts from the unregulated exotic pet trade. There is a critical need for greater regulation through CITES, as well as  for improved regulations for private sector pet shops to prevent further decline of these ecologically important species.”

Tomomi Kitade, Director of TRAFFIC’s Japan officeTomomi Kitade, continues, “Our research identified at least 230 species and 25 subspecies of amphibians on sale in Japan between January 2020 and April 2021, 81% of which are not listed in CITES, despite one in four being Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.”

Import records reveal that the movement of live amphibians from range countries into Japan is likely on the rise. While the US was the leading exporter to Japan based on the total volume between 2005-2020, in recent years, countries like Nicaragua and Cameroon, have ranked as the top exporters; suggesting an increase in exports directly from range countries, including sourcing from the wild.

“What is particularly concerning when it is believed that newly discovered species are appearing on sale within just a few months of being scientifically described,” says Tomomi Kitade.

The same is true of Japan’s domestic market. Among the 255 species and subspecies found, at least 27% were described as wild-sourced. For species native to Japan, it amounted to at least 22 out of 39 species and subspecies found on sale, suggesting widespread capture of wild Japanese amphibians. It is likely that wild sourcing extends to many other species, given that sellers in Japan are not required to disclose information regarding whether specimens were wild-caught or captive-bred.

The endemic Sword-tailed Newt Cynops ensicauda could be in particular danger since it is already listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It was one of the species found most commonly for sale, with some specimens labelled wild-caught, both within Japan and internationally.

“It is imperative that CITES Parties, including Japan, consider the list of high conservation priority amphibians, which would benefit from having trade regulated and carefully monitored as published by TRAFFIC last year and through this research,” said Tomomi Kitade. “At the national level, we expect the Ministry of Environment of Japan and the private sector to take actions to control the unregulated trade in amphibians.”

To prevent the overexploitation of amphibians in light of emerging trends, TRAFFIC suggests:

• For amphibian range countries should consider further international conservation measures of high-risk taxa under CITES*
• For the Ministry of Environment of Japan to:
  • consider introducing legal protection of the Sword-tailed Newt and other native species that are sought after as pets
  • monitor the international amphibian trade to identify where additional national and CITES regulations are merited along with a potential extension of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals
• For businesses and e-commerce platforms connected to amphibian trade to review the legality, traceability and sustainability of their supply chains.

Ensuring the traceability and sustainability of trade in Japan could significantly boost amphibian conservation, alongside increased attention from other range and destination countries.