“Animal Kingdom” and “Zoo and Aquariums” are free magazines that introduce the activities of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) while presenting attractive points about such animal related facilities.
In addition to JAZA, there are similar associations throughout the world, such as the World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA), the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), each of which have established their own individual policies but work in collaboration with each other. To help breed rare creatures and develop zoos and aquariums as a whole, it is essential for both domestic and international zoos, aquariums and research facilities to develop a cooperative relationship.
Japanese zoos and aquariums are managed according to their own characteristics and policies. Although it isn’t easy to consider all of them in the same light, we produce and publish this magazine in the hope that as we clearly outline the efforts, visions, and objectives of JAZA, we can play a useful role, however small, in the relationship between zoos and aquariums.
In this magazine, based on the policies of JAZA, we have set out to create a publication that arouses interest through high quality photographs of living things in order that everyone from children to adults can gain a deeper enjoyment of zoos and aquariums.
In addition, on the web, we present online-only content and special presents that we can’t deal with in the magazine including columns by leading figures in a variety of animal-related research and breeding techniques, countless works by artists who focus on the theme of animals, and collaborations involving popular animal characters from around the world.
We sincerely thank you for reading this publication and supporting us in these efforts.
Motofumi Tai
Publisher of “Animal Country” and “Zoo and Aquariums”
Profile
Born in Osaka, 1979. After graduating from the law faculty of Waseda University, began his career in the advertising industry and developed his skills. Established Mosose Design as a part of Momose Corporation, which was founded by his late grandfather Kazuo Momose. Designed and produced advertisements and goods for zoos and aquariums, and introduced a new set of values for which he has been highly esteemed in Japan and abroad. As a publisher, he has created magazines such as ”Animal Kingdom” and “Zoo and Aquariums.” A lover of animals and zoos, his pasttime is traveling to zoos and aquariums all over the world and taking photographs of animals. His favorite camera is the Nikon D3S.
It has been one year since the inaugural issue of the quarterly magazine “Zoos and Aquariums” was published by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA). We have presented four features beginning with articles on penguins and biodiversity, and two others with the themes of “Things Living Creatures Teach Us” and “Connecting with the World.”
The magazine is revolutionary in terms of the following three points:
First, although there were magazines in the past that featured individual zoos and aquariums or individual animals, this was the first media outlet to focus on various topics related to Japanese zoos, aquariums, and JAZA, and their connection to society.
Second, the magazine is distributed free of charge to a wide range of facilities, including not only zoos and aquariums but also some 500 children’s halls and social welfare facilities, 200 public libraries, elementary schools, junior high schools and kindergartens, and 720 childcare support centers, and animal hospitals throughout Japan.
Third, JAZA’s role is to merely provide editorial supervision, without any financial or administrative function. The magazine is published with the support of Momose Corporation and Nikon Corporation. In addition, a sister publication, “Animal Kingdom”, supports the activities of local zoos and aquariums by introducing various facilities throughout Japan.
JAZA has become a public-interest incorporated association to help zoos and aquariums meet social demands and strengthen their foundations. We are committed not only to clearly reflecting the vision of zoos and aquariums in Japan and the world but also to improving our ability to dispatch information and strengthen the organization.
As reported at our general assembly, we plan to set up a public-relations department as soon as possible to increase awareness of our social contribution, image, mission, and human resources. In concrete terms, we aim to promote the project to strengthen our relationships in six major areas: the nation; the nation and its people; the local area; the world; zoos and aquariums; and between zoos, aquariums and the association. To improve these connections, we hope to make “Zoos and Aquariums” an important source of information and a strong media outlet to realize our public-relations strategies.
I appreciate the tremendous support of everyone involved in publishing this magazine. I hope that you will continue to support the development of “Zoos and Aquariums” and “Animal Kingdom” as well as the development of Japanese zoos and aquariums as a whole.
Shigeyuki Yamamoto
Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Profile
Born in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. Director of Toyama City Family Park since 2005. President of JAZA since 2010. Yamamoto is devoted to the exhibition of not only rare but popular Japanese animals. Preserving the original natural environment in the park, he breeds rabbits and raccoon dogs indigenous to the area. He has also held events to encourage the use of native horses, which helped people for many years, in farm work. He is also actively involved in improving the relationship between humans and animals through projects such as “satoyama” conservation and preventing damage by bears and deers. He has a profound knowledge of history and culture, especially art, and his cooking skills are akin to a professional. In addition to the book “Friends in a Family Park,” he is currently writing a column for “Nikkor Club,” published by the Nikon company.
