Natural Heritage of Japan

1. Introduction
Abhik Chakraborty

2. Geology of the Japanese Islands: An Outline
Koji Wakita

3. Volcanic Archipelago: Volcanism as a Geoheritage Characteristic of Japan
Setsuya Nakada

Part I. World Heritage Sites (Natural)

4. Shiretoko Peninsula: Dynamic Interaction Between Geology, Geomorphology, and Ecology at The Interface of Terrestrial and Marine Systems
Abhik Chakraborty

5. Shirakami Mountains: Old-Growth Forests of Siebold’s Beech Supporting Biodiversity in a Dynamic Landscape
Abhik Chakraborty

6. Ogasawara Islands World Heritage Area: An Outstanding Ecological Heritage
Masahito Yoshida

7. Yakushima Island: Landscape History, World Heritage Designation, and Conservation Status for Local Society
Shigemitsu Shibasaki

Part II. UNESCO Global Geoparks

8. The Origin and Development of Geoparks in Japan: Reflections from a Personal Perspective
Mahito Watanabe

9. San’in-Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark: Geology and Conservation of the Oriental White Stork
Naoki Kikuchi, Kuniyasu Mokudai

10. Muroto Geopark: Understanding the Moving Earth
Yugo Nakamura, Kazuhiro Yuhora

11. The Interface of Geology, Ecology, and Society: The Case of Aso Volcanic Landscape
Shamik Chakraborty

12. The Mt. Unzen Disaster: A Terrible Learning Experience
Malcolm J. M. Cooper

13. Challenges for Geoconservation in Contemporary Japan
Abhik Chakraborty, Kuniyasu Mokudai

Part III. National Park Sites

14. The Lake Akan Area: A Future Geopark?
Malcolm Cooper

15. Oze Wetland: The Birthplace of the Nature Conservation Movement in Japan
Kiyotatsu Yamamoto

16. Mount Fuji: The Volcano, the Heritage, and the Mountain
Abhik Chakraborty, Thomas E. Jones

17. Synthesis: Toward Dynamic Conservation of Our Natural Heritage in the Anthropocene
Abhik Chakraborty

Keywords: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geomorphology, Nature Conservation, Landscape Ecology