The Diet on Friday approved a revision to the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law that will reduce the level of lead shot used in certain hunting areas and give it jurisdiction over a limited number of sea mammals for the first time.
The revision introduces a system that permits prefectural governors to limit the use of lead ammunition in hunting areas, especially around lakes and ponds where birds are prone to mistake the shot for pebbles they eat to aid digestion. Swans are especially susceptible to this type of lead poisoning, Environment Ministry officials said.
The altered law will take effect April 1.