Japanese Perceptions of Wildlife

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines how the Japanese public perceives the natural world und its conservation, mainly wildlife. Limited comparisons are made to the United States. Data was collected in both countries using similar conceptual and methodological frameworks. Closed‐ended surveys were conducted of random samples of the Japanese and American publics, and in‐depth interviews were conducted with 50 environmentally knowledgeable Japanese. A central interest was the apparent inconsistency of a presumed special Japanese appreciation of nature concurrent with u pattern of widespread environmental abuse extensive@ reported in the literature. The results of this study partially elucidate this paradox. Japanese appreciation for nature was found to be very narrow and idealized, primarily focusing on single species and lacking an ecological and ethical perspective. The Japanese and American publics were both found to possess strong affection for particularly favored species and enjoyed direct experiential contact with individual aspects of the environment. Both cultures were similarly pragmatic toward nature, and somewhat indifferent regarding the environment when it possessed little emotional value. The Japanese public placed far greater value on satisfactions derived from control and mastery over nature. Additionally, the Japanese expressed far less ethical or ecological concern for nature and wildlife than citizens of the United States. Americans also had significantly greater knowledge of wildlife.

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