Japan’s Domestic Ivory Market: Myths vs. Realities

All ivory markets fuel the demand for ivory, and the demand for ivory is what drives elephant poaching. It is impossible to stem the demand for ivory while simultaneously supporting the commercial trade in it.

Japan’s regulatory and enforcement actions to date have been inadequate to prevent its domestic market from contributing to the illegal ivory trade. Japan’s market is already being exploited by those seeking to bring ivory out of the country illegally, and will continue to be, as long as it remains open.