Bilateral Cooperation for Conservation of the Natural Environment in the Northern Part of Okinawa Island, Designated as a World Heritage Site

The Government of Japan and the United States Government welcome the designation of the World Heritage Site “Amami Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island”. In the northern part of Okinawa Island, both governments will continue cooperation through the bilateral Environmental Subcommittee in accordance with the agreement between Japan and the United States of America on cooperation in the field of environmental stewardship relating to the United States Armed Forces in Japan, supplementary to the agreement Under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between Japan and the United States of America, regarding facilities and areas and the status of United States armed forces in Japan to contribute to the conservation of the natural environment as below in the principle that the outstanding universal value of the area shall be maintained properly for the succeeding generations.

1. Both governments will take necessary measures for biodiversity, including monitoring endangered species and promoting control of invasive alien species through the wide range of the northern part of Okinawa Island, including the Northern Training Area.

2. Both governments will cooperate to maintain the Natural and Cultural Resource Plan of the Northern Training Area.

3. Both governments will promote partnership between local communities and USFJ local components.