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Coexistence with Nature and Biodiversity
Oze National Park and TEPCO
Conservation Initiatives in Oze National Park
<GRI 304-1, 304-3>
Oze, centered on Ozegahara and Oze Lake and spanning four prefectures—Gunma, Fukushima, Niigata, and Tochigi—is one of Japan’s largest wetlands dominated by high-altitude marshes. It comprises a scientifically valuable ecosystem, featuring rich biodiversity including over 900 plant species, 160 bird species, and 40 dragonfly species, as well as diverse and dynamic topography. In 2005, Oze was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention (Criterion: 1; high-altitude marsh and freshwater lake; Wetland types: U [peat bog], O [freshwater lake]; registered area: 8,711 ha).
The TEPCO Group owns 16,334 ha of land in this region. Of this, approximately 40% of Oze National Park and about 70% (6,277 ha) of its Special Protection Area—a Ramsar-designated wetland—are located on our property. These lands were originally designated for power generation. Following the cancellation of power plant development plans, they have been retained as watershed forests, and for nearly 60 years, we have worked with regional partners to restore and conserve the ecosystem. Since the establishment of the Oze Conservation Foundation in 1995, we have participated as a member and collaborated with local communities to promote nature conservation, advance environmental initiatives, and encourage responsible use by visitors.
Protected Species in Oze
<GRI 304-4>
| Based on the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) Scientific Name (English name) [Red List*1] |
Japanese Name [Red list*2] |
|---|---|
| Plants (Flora) 11 species | |
| Nuphar pumilum [(VU)] | Ozekohone [(VU)] |
| Chara globularis [(CR)＋(EN)] | Katashajikumo [CR+EN] |
| Amitostigma kinoshitae [(VU)] | Koanichidori [VU] |
| Iris laevigata [(VU)] | Kakitsubata [NT] |
| Cirsium homolepis [(VU)] | Ozenumaazami [VU] |
| Pogonia japonica [(VU)] | Tokisou [NT] |
| Habenaria sagittifera [(VU)] | Mizutonbo [VU] |
| Drosera anglica [(VU)] | Nagabanomosengoke [VU] |
| Viola kamtschadalorum [(VU)] | Oobatachitsubosumire [NT] |
| Carex nemurensis [(VU)] | Hosobaozenumasuge [NT] |
| Utricularia uliginosa [(VU)] | Murasakimimikakigusa [NT] |
| Animal (Fauna) | |
| Birds (Fauna) 12 species | |
| Aquila chrysaetos japonica (Golden eagle)[(EN)] | Nihoninuwashi [EN] |
| Spizaetus nipalensis orientalis (Hodgson's hawk-eagle) [(EN)] | Kumataka [EN] |
| Accipiter gentilis (Goshawk) [(VU)] | Ootaka [NT] |
| Falco pergrinus japonensis (Peregrine falcon) [(VU)] | Hayabusa [VU] |
| Pericrocotus divaricatus (Ashy minivet) [(VU)] | Sanshoukui [VU] |
| Lanius tigrinus Drapiez (Thick-billed shrimp) [(VU)] | Chigomozu [CR] |
| Emberiza yessoensis (Japanese reed bunting) [(VU)] | Kojurin [VU] |
| Gorsachius goisagi (Japanese night heron)[(NT)] | Mizogoi [VU] |
| Pandion haliaetus (Osprey) [(NT)] | Misago [NT] |
| Pernis apivorus (Honey Buzzard) [(NT)] | Hachikuma [NT] |
| Accipiter nisus (Sparrow hawk) [(NT)] | Haitaka [NT] |
| Lanius cristatus (Brown shrimp) [(NT)] | Akamozu [EN] |
| Insects (Fauna) 1 species | |
| Nehalennia speciosa [(NT)] | Karakaneitotonbo [Not specified] |
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*1
Ministry of the Environment Red List at Ramsar Convention registration (November 2005)
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*2
Ministry of the Environment Red List as of November 2024 (published in March 2020)
CR+EN: Critically Endangered (Category I – combined)
CR: Critically Endangered (Category IA)
EN: Critically Endangered (Category IB)
VU: Vulnerable (Category II)
NT: Near Threatened (Category III)
Case Study: Leveraging Natural Capital in Oze
For TEPCO, Oze serves as a key platform for stakeholder engagement. We actively support environmental education programs, enabling younger generations—especially elementary and junior high school students—to experience Oze’s unique ecosystem and understand the significance of conservation and biodiversity.
In recent years, we have launched the “Oze SDGs Exploratory Study Tour,” an original, problem-solving environmental learning program supervised by academic experts, offering immersive experiences in Oze’s natural environment and its surrounding communities for students and professionals alike.
Furthermore, in April 2022, Katashina Village in Gunma Prefecture—home to Oze—was designated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as the “Oze Katashina Zero Carbon Park,” with TEPCO Group actively supporting its management. Specifically, we collaborate with local communities to advance renewable energy adoption, electrification of park facilities, and sustainable tourism initiatives—all aimed at achieving a decarbonized society. (For details, see the “TEPCO BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2024.”)
