WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04), member of House Foreign Affairs Committee, led a letter to Chairman Shoichi Kondo, of Japan’s House of Representatives Committee on Environment, and Chairman Shigeharu Aoyama, of Japan’s House of Councillors Committee on Environment, urging their government to close Japan’s domestic ivory market. The U.S. Representatives seek to protect elephants from the threat of poaching, hunting, and slaughter.
In accordance with the 1989 international ban on commercial ivory trade, many countries have more recently taken steps to close their ivory markets — including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Israel. Currently, Japan maintains the largest legal ivory market.
“With a shared dedication to peace and stability, the United States and Japan have been close allies for decades, aligning on a myriad of global priorities to make the world a better place for future generations. It is with this legacy in mind that we respectfully urge Japan to join the United States in protecting elephants from the international ivory trade,” the lawmakers wrote.
African elephant populations have declined dramatically over the past 50 years. Furthermore, wildlife trafficking is the fourth-largest funding source for transnational criminal organizations—generating an estimated $23 billion annually, driving poaching, and financing criminal syndicates.
“When countries work together to solve global issues, we can facilitate transformative change to increase global security, combat transnational crime, and safeguard the global elephant population for future generations,” the lawmakers continued.
The letter was signed by 21 other Members of Congress.
Congresswoman Dean previously led this effort in the 117th and 118th Congresses. A copy of this letter can be found here.
