Multiple toes including bones were cut off from Fuma's left foot Fuma after recovery Shifu whose face and throat were slashed Shifu after recovery Austin with open, compound fracture on his right, hind leg The bone was protruding from necrotic skin Austin after amputation of his right hing leg 10/28/26 A mass killing of rabbits occurred between 2024 and 2025—a harrowing incident in which nearly 100 rabbits were killed or injured. Three of the rabbits—Fuma, Shifu and Austin—were highly likely to have been victims of abuse and were rescued and provided with medical care between December 2024 and February 2025. Fuma was missing multiple toes on his left foot. Shifu had cuts around his face and throat. Austin had an open, compound fracture, with bone protruding through his necrotic skin. In the opinion of the attending vet, it was highly unlikely that any of these injuries had occurred naturally; in fact, following the arrest of the perpetrator, these three cases were reported to the Takehara Police. All three rabbits had experienced extreme terror, leaving them both physically and emotionally scarred. This is a tragic situation that has unfolded on Okunoshima—an island where the rabbit population is left entirely unmanaged. To this day, these rabbits remain without any form of care, and they continue to suffer not just from sickness but injuries whether it’s accidental or intentional. Don’t you want to help change this situation? We have launched a petition calling for a protection system to protect these rabbits. Please consider adding your signature. The link is accessible from Instagram @junkohiking profile page. (Pic 1-4: Fuma、Pic 5-8: Shifu、Pic 9-12: Austin)

There are many sick rabbits. No helping hand will be extended by anyone. 10/25/26 Those who sign are likely of the opinion that the rabbits on Okunoshima should be helped. Conversely, those who hesitate to sign may be opposed to sterilization, or they may believe that no intervention should be made to assist these feral rabbits. Visitors who have enjoyed their time on Okunoshima might feel a strong aversion to the idea of ​​sterilization. Furthermore, those who fail to notice rabbits suffering from illnesses or injuries are likely to have little awareness of the underlying issues; they have no way of knowing that these animals are currently left without any form of care or management.. If the goal is to transform Okunoshima into a sustainable tourist destination while also ensuring the proper care of its rabbits, the current rabbit population and the extent of their habitat make such an objective entirely unrealistic. Unless the population is reduced to a manageable number and the rabbits’ range is strictly limited, any calls for their "rescue" or improved welfare will remain nothing more than a pie in the sky. The Ministry of the Environment’s policy of "let the nature be nature” stands in direct opposition to the practice of tourists feeding or providing water to the animals. If one truly accepts the principle of "let the nature be nature”, then providing food or water is inappropriate. Conversely, if these animals—which are classified as protected animals—are to be fed and watered, then it is only logical that they should also receive full, ongoing care. Please sign the petition, keeping in mind that if nothing is done, rabbits will continue to suffer and die.

10/22/26 Pic 1/2 are Noah, who was stepped on by a tourist in November 2025 (an incident witnessed by others). Although he was rescued, he had sustained fractures in 4 places—including his femur and pelvis—and passed away 4 days later. Pic 3/4 are Kiki, who was also stepped on by someone that same November. He suffered fractures to his neck and jaw, as well as a shattered middle-ear bone. Thanks to intensive medical care, he survived, but he was left with lasting injuries that now require him to undergo dental treatment once a month. Both rabbits weighed only about 500g. Given that the rabbits on Okunoshima are used for tourism, I believe that medical treatment for them is something the local authorities should have been providing in the first place. There has been criticism directed at those who broke the rules to help with rescue efforts, as well as relentless harassment and slander against those who have raised funds to carry out such rescues. Is saving a life really such a bad thing? Every time I see comments like, "Well, the percentage of injured rabbits is low, so isn't it fine as it is?" it’s truly gut-wrenching—it makes me fear that this petition campaign might not succeed. Rabbits might be healthy today, but by tomorrow, they could be sick or injured. Would you really tell those rabbits, "We won't help you because the authorities have decided not to provide any care"? Or perhaps you might consider that this is wrong—that the tourism industry, which treats living beings as disposable, should be held accountable?

Lop had numerous health issues His left thigh was protruding in unusual way Bite wound？ He had abscess as well 10/18/26 A rabbit nicknamed "Lop," who lived near the site of the former poison gas storage facility in Sangenya, had one drooping ear and walked with a limp. One of its legs protruded at an unnatural angle. It also suffered from bite wound and abscesses. Plagued by these multiple afflictions, Lop struggled to secure food while constantly being chased. Feeding sick rabbits is often a difficult task. If one tries to feed an injured rabbit alongside others crowding around the food, it gets chased away or becomes too timid to approach. Consequently, one is forced to wait until the other rabbits have had their fill before feeding it, or else requires two people to manage the feeding process. In the wild, food is everything. Is it not terribly cruel for a domestic rabbit—injured as this one is—to have to prevail in the struggle for survival within a realm governed by the law of the wild? When we returned to the island 3 months later, Lop was no longer there.

It was shocking to see her face first time Last time I saw her, her face looked much better than the first time 10/16/26 The rabbit, known as "Hika-chan," had a severely disfigured face. The shock of seeing it was beyond words, leaving many to wonder how such a thing could have happened. Though its appearance was tragic, the rabbit possessed a hearty appetite and seemed entirely unbothered by its condition as it went about its life. It showed some signs of recovery for a time, but ultimately, it vanished less than a year later. I suspect the disfigurement of Hika-chan’s face was the result of some kind of infection; given the unsanitary environment she lives in, it’s hardly surprising—a simple bite wound could easily fester and turn septic. When you start visiting the island regularly, you eventually grow accustomed to the grim realities of life there—the illnesses, the injuries, and the deaths. It is terrifying to become accustomed to a terrible situation. Let us stop justifying the situation of the rabbits on Okunoshima by turning a blind eye to the truth—a reaction born of something akin to resignation. We must not forget that these rabbits are being subjected to conditions that should never exist.

The broken leg was pointing in an impossible direction. The pain must have been excruciating He waited for help in vain 10/15/26 There was a young rabbit with a broken leg. It was in the open space in front of the hotel, where it must have been seen by many people. Its leg was broken, and the foot was twisted in the wrong direction. It must have been in agony; one look at its face was enough to see it was enduring intense pain. Yet, no one did a thing. Perhaps people refrained from helping because of signs stating that rabbits should not be taken off the island? Or perhaps they operated under the mistaken belief that these rabbits are managed and they must be receiving proper care? People would simply utter the word "poor thing," then move on to feed other rabbits. That rabbit died shortly thereafter. If nothing is done, the situation for the rabbits on Okunoshima will never change. I can state this with absolute certainty. Without anyone to save them, these rabbits will remain perpetual victims of tourism—trapped in an endless, grim cycle of birth and death that will continue forever. What would you do? Would you turn a blind eye? Or would you speak up and try to change this situation? We have launched a petition (accessible via the link in @junkohiking). You can also learn about the reality these rabbits are facing by visiting the website: Okunoshima Rrabbit Welfare(ohkunoshimarabbitrescue.org) (also link in @junkohiking).

Oakland had sprained leg Even with sprained leg, that was enough for him to keep distance from other rabbits We got to see her 4 months later, but that was the last time to see her. 10/14/26 There are people who abandon rabbits on Okunoshima. Because Okunoshima is a paradise for rabbits, they assume the rabbits will be happy there, so they dump their own pets. In some cases, breeders also abandon older rabbits that can no longer breed. Apparently, it's obvious when a rabbit has been abandoned and doesn't actually live on Okunoshima. It sits alone, frightened and motionless, and you can tell from its appearance that it's different from the island's rabbits. In most cases, abandoned rabbits can't survive on the island. Abandoning a rabbit in the belief that it will live happily there is something you must never do. Among the rabbits there are also a few descendants of abandoned rabbits who managed to survive in the harsh environment. An Otter rabbit I named Oakland had the colors of the Oakland Raiders, the American football team that no longer exists (in Oakland). It had an injured leg and kept its distance from the other rabbits, barely able to eat. Fortunately, it was only a sprain, and after I looked after it morning and night, it healed within a few weeks and regained its energy. We were able to see Oakland again 4 months later, but when we returned 5 months after that, we couldn't find her anywhere on the island, no matter where we looked. The cruelty of Okunoshima is that even as rabbits die there unnoticed like this, new rabbits are born, so it looks as though the island's rabbits are living free and happy.

To Takehara City/The Ministry of Environment: We call for a system to care for sick and injured rabbits on Okunoshima rabbit Island. 10/11/26 What I fear most is this: Even though we have launched a petition drive to rescue the rabbits of Okunoshima, we might fail to gather enough signatures. Change.org/okunoshimarabbitwelfare What would that imply? It would mean that not very many people consider the current situation of the Okunoshima rabbits to be a problem. There’s nothing quite like the soothing presence of cute rabbits, is there? An island teeming with them is such a fun place to visit. I imagine people come to Okunoshima expecting something like a petting zoo. However, the crucial difference is that there are no zookeepers on Okunoshima, nor do the rabbits receive veterinary care. There are no time limits on interactions and no restrictions on feeding. Naturally, the rabbits get sick and injured; it is simply an inevitable consequence. Even the rabbit, gasping its last in a heart-rending state, is eclipsed by the adorable kits born after it. Do not be misled. The situation facing the rabbits on Okunoshima is nothing short of abuse. It is our responsibility as humans to fundamentally improve the situation of the rabbits on Okunoshima that are suffering.

To Takehara City/The Ministry of Environment: We call for a system to care for sick and injured rabbits on Okunoshima rabbit Island. 10/13/26 Request for signature for the petition; We have launched a petition on Change.org to save the rabbits of Okunoshima. Change.org/okunoshimarabbitwelfare Okunoshima, a national park, is home to a large population of rabbits. They are fed and given water by tourists, and they breed uncontrollably without the males and females being separated. The island attracts 200,000 tourists annually, and survey results indicate that 90% of them visit specifically for the rabbits. Most tourists view the location as a "Rabbit Island resort"; seeing water containers placed around the area, they assume the rabbits are being properly managed and cared for. However, the truth is that these rabbits receive ABSOLUTELY NO CARE they deserve. When they are injured or fall ill, nothing is done for them, and they meet a miserable death. Is it enough to simply provide food and water? Certainly not; that only leads to an increase in numbers. Even if they fall ill or are injured, a helping hand is rarely extended to them. Is it enough to simply provide food and water? Certainly not; that only leads to an increase in number. Even if they fall ill or injured, a helping hand is rarely extended to them. The rabbit shown in the photo and video was a baby, only 4 to 5 weeks old, that I discovered this past February. Despite its young age, it was suffering from severe pasteurellosis. Its condition deteriorated so rapidly that it passed away before we could even attempt to rescue it. I ask you to look beyond the mere cuteness of rabbits and consider their welfare. If you wish to help them, please sign this petition and share this petition with anyone you know (You can find the link on @junkohiking profile page.)

Mr. Hand was a young rabbit The front left leg appeared to be broken. Undeterred by the injury, he tried his best to eat. Did Mr. Hand know what lay in store for him? 10/4/26 The young rabbit I named "Mr. Hand" had an injured front left leg. For a rabbit so young, surviving on this island with an injury like that is all but impossible. Why aren't we allowed to take such rabbits to a veterinary clinic? This is a question we ourselves have grappled with for years. Item number 4 on the sign from that time (pic 5) stated: Do not bring pets (animals). Do not take rabbits out. Directly beneath that, it read: Abandoning animals is prohibited by laws such as the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals. This was precisely why I thought that taking a rabbit out to the hospital might also be against the law. I vividly remember the shock I felt in June 2024—when we first took a sick rabbit (memorable rabbits part 4) off the island—upon realizing that removing the rabbits did not actually violate the law. It felt as though I had been struck on the head by the realization that, until then, we had effectively left rabbits in need of medical care to die. The current signage does not explicitly mention "animal abandonment"; instead, the message is conveyed via posters. Rescuing rabbits for medical treatment is extremely difficult. This is because returning a rabbit to the island after treatment constitutes animal abandonment—a criminal offense. Consequently, a foster owner must be found to provide lifelong care. Yet, unaware of the immense challenge this entails, people flood the comments sections with demands that any sick or injured rabbit be taken to a vet. Rescuing the rabbits of Okunoshima requires a revision of current rules.

Shachi (KW) was virtually a lone wolf. He was bitten on his neck by other rabbt. Close up pic for his bite wound Shachi (KW) was always by himself. Many people took care of him. Shachi was always chased by other rabbits. Shachi in 12 o'clock position 9/29/26 Shachi (KW for killer whale) was a rabbit with a black-and-white coat that truly lived up to his name—reminiscent of killer whale Although he primarily lived near Pier 2, he would sometimes venture as far as the park area by the camp kitchen. He was always alone and constantly being chased; the lasting impression he left was that of a rabbit who ate while on the run. He was swift on his feet—appearing like the wind and vanishing just as quickly. That was the kind of rabbit he was. Occasionally, one encounters a rabbit that—despite being perfectly healthy and free of injury—cannot seem to fit in with the rest of the group. Shachi was one such rabbit. Living as a lone wolf in the highly social world of rabbits is likely not a particularly happy existence. Personally, I never once saw Shachi sitting alongside the other rabbits. Even so, Shachi was popular thanks to his striking appearance and had many people looking out for him, so I imagine he was well-fed. For Shachi, humans were likely a safer, more reassuring presence than other rabbits.

Kai chan was queen Kai chan recognized her own name Kai chan's late years were not easy Kai chan did not hesitate to intimidate others when it comes to food 9/28/26 Kai-chan was a rabbit of great presence on Ohkunoshima—rivaling even Matsuzaka-san—and was also known for his longevity. Having given birth to a vast number of offspring, she was a figure who could well be described as an empress. Born at the beach, she was a female who nonetheless relocated to the area near the swimming pool. For Kai-chan—who defied typical rabbit behavior by establishing herself as the boss despite being female—such a move may well have been a perfectly natural course of action. She possessed an unyielding spirit; she would ruthlessly intimidate anyone who crossed her and assert her right to eat first. Kai-chan recognized her own name and would respond whenever it was called—a sign that, in all likelihood, many people had spoken to her. In her final years, her Pasteurella infection worsened significantly; it was obvious to anyone that she was ill. Gradually, she stopped eating. It must have been heartbreaking for those who knew Kai-chan when she was young to see her condition in those later years. Had she been living in a home, she surely could have lived at least another five years. If a day ever comes when rabbits are managed in smaller numbers, will they finally be able to receive—at the very least—basic care?