Exports of a rare kind of Japanese pond turtle have increased sharply this year, prompting the government to impose partial restrictions on shipments to conserve the species.
The nihon ishigame (Japanese stone turtle) is in strong demand in China and Hong Kong as an ingredient for health food. It is also popular as a rare pet from Japan.
In Japan, the animal is also known as zeni (money) turtle because the brownish-red shell of juveniles resembles a coin used in the Edo Period (1603-1868).