Exotic fish and mammals from abroad, some imported as pets and later abandoned, are threatening the lives of animals that have existed in Japan for centuries.
The country is overflowing with freshwater black bass and small-mouth bass and mammals such as mongooses and raccoons, all species originating from abroad. They are of particular concern on the islands of Okinawa and Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, but they can even be seen in the moat of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Since it has become apparent they are threatening Japan's ecology, the Environment Agency set up a study group in August to discuss ways to halt their breeding.