Wed May 21 08:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Japan Legalizes “Nature Co-existence Sites” to Boost Corporate Conservation Efforts

**Tokyo, Japan** – The Japanese government is rolling out a new legal framework to officially recognize and support corporate efforts in biodiversity conservation, aiming to incentivize investment in nature-positive activities. The initiative centers around “Nature Co-existence Sites,” areas designated for their contribution to biodiversity, even outside of traditional protected zones.

Under the newly enacted Regional Biodiversity Promotion Law, companies engaged in conservation or restoration activities within these sites will be eligible for official certifications. Furthermore, a “support certificate” system is being launched this summer to recognize companies that financially support these activities, even on land owned by others. The government hopes this will allow companies to better showcase their commitment to biodiversity in line with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework, attracting environmentally conscious investors.

The support certificate leverages a “logic model” framework, requiring companies to clearly articulate how their financial input leads to specific conservation activities, resulting in measurable outputs and positive long-term outcomes. This structured approach is designed to avoid “greenwashing” and provide investors with a transparent view of the impact. A trial run of the support certificate in March saw 11 companies, including Taisei Corporation, receiving the preliminary recognition.

The initiative aligns with the global “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” specifically targeting the “30 by 30” goal of conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030. The system is expected to be fully operational in August. Experts are optimistic that the program will provide a strong incentive for corporations to engage in and support biodiversity conservation, driving much-needed investment toward a more sustainable future.

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