it acceptable for Ohkunoshima rabbits to suffer and die on the island？ 9/14/26 Some people say the rabbits on Okunoshima are happy living freely with their families and companions. They argue that since the rabbits were born on the island, they should spend their entire lives there. Do they really think it is acceptable for them to suffer and die from illness together, just like the two in this photo? Please stop romanticizing the lives of the rabbits on the island and look at the reality.

Injury for her left leg was quite serioius High probability for cause of injury was bite wounds from fight with other rabbit 9/13/26 Here is an update on Niki-chan, who was rescued on September 6, 2026. Examinations ruled out fractures, dislocations, and neurological disorders. However, a large mass of tissue (measuring 6 cm by 5 cm) has formed on her left arm, extending from the elbow to the shoulder joint; it is firmly adhered to the ribs of the left chest wall, and the overlying skin is extensively necrotic. Pus discharge and partial muscle necrosis were observed around the necrotic skin area, suggesting widespread contamination and necrotic damage to the muscle tissue of the left forelimb. According to the vet, cases involving such extensive tissue damage have rarely been encountered before. Even if amputation were to be performed, proper closure of the skin would be difficult due to the extensive area of ​​necrosis, and completely removing the purulent mass adhered to the chest wall would be extremely challenging. It appears most likely that this severe injury was caused by some form of trauma or a bite wound from a fight with another rabbit that subsequently became infected. Niki-chan currently has a hearty appetite and is in good spirits; she seems to possess a strong will to live. For the time being, we plan to provide medical treatment—including antibiotic injections and oral medication—to reduce the size of the infected area and then re-evaluate whether surgical intervention is possible. If you are able to assist with the medical expenses, I would be deeply grateful for any donations to the "Ohkunoshima Rabbit Medical Fund" via the GoFundMe link in my profile.

Injured rabbits do not get the same treatment as cute rabbits 9/11/26 When you visit Okunoshima, you are bound to encounter all sorts of rabbits. There are the rabbits that energetically come bounding right up to you—the “star players” of Okunoshima. These are the little ones who shoulder the island’s success, creating the impression that every rabbit here is lively and happy. If you take a moment to observe, you will notice rabbits here and there that do not appear healthy. They may elicit words of pity—“Poor things”—but they do not receive the kind of attention lavished on the “star players.” Captivated by the adorable, energetic rabbits that hop right onto your lap, you put aside any concern for the ones in pitiful condition—forgetting them entirely—and simply focus on feeding and photographing the lively, cute ones. This is the daily scene on Okunoshima. For those visiting in anticipation of seeing cute rabbits, a sick or injured rabbit is something they do not want to see—or even know exists. Rabbits with torn ears, missing eyes, and other injuries. I want you to stop and consider why they have ended up in such a state. I want you to ask yourself: Does animal welfare truly exist on Okunoshima?

This rabbit did not survive overnight 9/9/26 Overwhelmed by the cuteness of the many rabbits gathered in front of the hotel, she just kept saying "So cute!" over and over again. I briefly explained the reality of these rabbits, but I don't think she really heard a word I said—she was too excited by how adorable they were. Watching her, I had the illusion that I was looking at my own self from ten years ago. That’s right—I was exactly like her. I found the rabbits adorable and fed them, convinced that they were utterly captivated by me. In reality, I knew nothing—nothing of the cruelty of that life, or the fact that a helping hand almost never reached them. Humans are captivated by the cuteness of rabbits; seeing everyone else doing it makes wrong actions seem right, leading people to rationalize the situation and convince themselves it isn't all that serious. I want to say this again and again: these adorable-looking rabbits are victims, sacrificing their very short lives to entertain us. I want you to see it—just once—the way the rabbits on the island die. Seeing it even once is bound to change your perspective. When you witness those rabbits—creatures you once thought so adorable—suffering, you will surely come to resent the sheer absurdity of this island.

Rabbits hide their pain 9/9/26 One life-threatening danger for the rabbits of Okunoshima is the way they are treated by children. To most children, the rabbits are merely moving toys. They pick them up, grab them roughly, poke them with tree branches, and chase them around while brandishing sticks. A rabbit being chased panics and darts unpredictably from side to side. Consequently, a child may accidentally trample it, and the rabbit quickly disappears from the child's sight. In reality, many of the rabbits that seem to have vanished have actually suffered broken bones and are on the verge of death. We have witnessed this pattern repeatedly; even when we issue a warning, neither the child nor the parent seems to realize they have done anything wrong. The worst-case scenario is when a child accidentally stomps a rabbit to death instantly. Having witnessed the entire incident, we were left speechless with shock, frozen in place as we stared at the rabbit—which had been lively just moments before—lying completely motionless. Even today, the rabbits of Okunoshima are being injured and dying unnoticed.

9/7/26 Following the trial regarding the mass killing of rabbits that occurred between 2024 and 2025, the rabbits on Okunoshima were reclassified as "animals subject to humane treatment"; however, they remain ownerless, non-native animals. Neither in the past nor at present have the island's rabbits received any management or care, and there are no plans to alter the Ministry of the Environment's policy regarding them. Given that 90% of tourists visit Okunoshima specifically for the rabbits, it is undeniable that the island is a tourist destination centered around them. Yet, not a single yen of the revenue generated is reinvested in these rabbits—the very stars of the attraction—nor is there any sign of progress toward future initiatives to protect them. The Ministry of the Environment is not in the tourism business, nor does it desire the continued presence of rabbits on the island. Logically, the responsibility for protecting the rabbits—the island's most vital tourism asset—should fall to those who profit from tourism by actively promoting them. Yet, is it realistic to expect a business that has thrived without providing food, care, or maintenance to suddenly take action for the sake of the rabbits? Why do people feed them or give them water? Is it for the sake of the rabbits? Can it really be said that this benefits the rabbits? If they fall ill or get injured, they are simply left to their fate. Ultimately, doesn't the act of feeding or watering the rabbits amount to nothing more than supporting their exploitation for the sake of tourism?

Matsuzaka was legendary rabbit on Ohkunoshima The color of each eye was different He was not able to stand up the night before he passed. 9/5/26 The rabbit known as Matsuzaka-san. He was a male—a beautiful rabbit with one blue eye and one green eye—and I heard he was named after the actress Keiko Matsuzaka because he resembled her. Matsuzaka-san had fathered a great many offspring and was a long-lived rabbit who had reached the age of five. He lived life at his own pace within his own territory and wasn't particularly accustomed to humans; however, during his final year, he was frequently challenged and chased by younger rabbits. Please read the pinned post on my profile for the details of his passing; his life story illustrates the current reality of Okunoshima. Tourism and the lives of the rabbits: these two things are fundamentally incompatible. The more tourism flourishes, the more the rabbits' lives are whittled away.

Crows are always looking for food 8/28/26 Crows are known for their intelligence, but the crows on Okunoshima are skilled hunters. While they once merely scavenged for leftover food or carcasses, over the years they have evolved to prey on live rabbits. Using their exceptional powers of observation, they target rabbits that are sick or injured, pecking at them whenever the opportunity arises; once they judge the prey to be sufficiently weakened, they deliver the killing blow, starting with the eyes before quickly tearing open the abdomen to devour the internal organs. I once witnessed a sick baby rabbit being attacked in the span of just five minutes when my attention had briefly wandered. Crows constantly observe the humans who feed them; often, when a person leaves food behind and walks away, a glance back reveals the crows already eating it on the road. They display remarkable teamwork, too: one crow keeps watch over a burrow while another effortlessly snatches up a baby rabbit emerging from it and flies off. When humans leave food at a burrow, the crows learn that rabbits are living there. While wild boars do attack weakened rabbits these days (catching healthy ones is somewhat difficult), crows remain the island's number-one natural predator for rabbits. Ultimately, the practice of feeding animals on Okunoshima has attracted natural predators and altered the ecosystem.

Beach Mama had skillset to survive on Ohkunoshima island. 9/1/26 The rabbit we called "Beach Mama"—who lived at the swimming beach—was a highly intelligent animal that had given birth many times; whenever she lost a mate, she would quickly find a new one. In this area, crows would perch on the branches by day, scouting for rabbits, while wild boars roamed at night; consequently, these rabbits were far more alert to predators than those living in front of the main building. The population density was lower here, and the rabbits appeared to be in good health. Beach Mama seemed to possess outstanding survival skills, even among those rabbits. We last saw her in February 2026—by which time she would have been over five years old—and she was a rabbit we had encountered on every visit to the island. We had been looking forward to seeing her again this time (in August 2026), but the beach was deserted. The heat has been getting worse every year, but this time it was extraordinary—a heat that felt not just hot, but stinging. If humans feel it that way, surely the rabbits, clad in fur, wouldn't stand a chance. In heat intense enough to make even healthy rabbits fall ill, there is no way that rabbits already suffering from sickness or injury could possibly survive. Such extreme weather is bound to have an adverse effect on the ecosystem as well. Every time I visit the island and look into the faces of the rabbits, I brace myself for the possibility that this might be the last time. I find Okunoshima to be an infinitely cruel place.

When first found, Cheeky was all alone She was very slow in eating Her cheek was getting day by day like a baloon They had to drain pus from her cheek She endured tough treatment for over 3 weeks 8/27/26 We named the rabbit with the swollen left cheek "Cheeky." Often chased by others, Cheeky struggled to eat enough; perhaps due to dental issues, the rabbit ate too slowly to keep up with the rest of the group. To ensure Cheeky got enough food, it took two people to feed Cheeky separately from the other rabbits. Eating was a slow, painful process, and Cheeky would sometimes stop out of sheer exhaustion. Over the course of several days, the cheek swelled up like a balloon, prompting a rescue operation. Cheeky’s condition was extremely grave. He suffered from severe pneumonia—with areas of lung collapse (atelectasis)—malnutrition, malocclusion of the incisors and molars, a fractured lower jaw, and an apical abscess. She remained hospitalized for over 3 weeks, but her pneumonia gradually worsened, and she eventually passed away, her strength completely spent. Just how long had Cheeky been suffering before her condition reached this critical state? It is already known that the sick rabbits on Ohkunoshima are in far more serious condition than they appear. Even rabbits that look healthy may well be far from actually being in good condition.

Hana chan struggled with Pasteurella as long as we knew her She used to look up when she was not doing well and couldn't breathe well. Hana chan's partner was head over heels for Hana. Last time we saw Hana chan in June, 2024. 8/25/26 A female rabbit I named "Hana-chan" lived in the area in front of the hotel—a spot said to have the highest concentration of rabbits on Okunoshima. This area is also home to many rats, meaning the rabbits essentially coexist with them; sightings have even been reported of rats preying on newborn kits. Due to the unsanitary conditions, this area also has a high number of sick rabbits. From the moment I first met Hana-chan, she suffered from severe pasteurellosis; on days when she was feeling unwell, she would often tilt her head upward to breathe. Yet, when she was feeling a bit better, she would show a surprising side of herself by threatening and chasing after other rabbits. She had a partner—though he wasn't exactly faithful—but because he spent so much time with the ailing Hana-chan, he ended up contracting the disease as well. Pasteurellosis is so prevalent on the island that it seems as though not a single rabbit is free from the disease. When the illness manifests in young rabbits, it can lead to death in a matter of weeks. After we last saw her on June, 2024, her whereabouts became unknown a few months later. Hana-chan’s life was one I was privileged to know for only nine months.

His injury was by far the worst we've seen His His left abdomen had deep gash He was skin & bones when found He was hiding away from other rabbits Large abscess was formed around his butt and he went missing shortly after 8/23/26 Memorable Rabbits Part 7 Zakkuri It was a rabbit that had sustained a severe, deep gash on his left abdomen. Although there was exposed, sharp wire where the protective fencing in its habitat had broken, the true cause of the injury remains unknown. After being wounded, the rabbit—named "Zakkuri"—began hiding to escape other rabbits and was unable to eat properly; by the time it was found, he was emaciated, with its bones clearly visible. A weakened rabbit is quickly spotted by crows. Once in this state, the differences in individual survival skills become starkly apparent. Zakkuri often hid in places out of sight, keeping his distance from the other rabbits to ensure his own safety. Thanks to the care of many people, he managed to survive for nearly four months. During that time, he appears to have been attacked and injured by other rabbits. Eventually, he developed a large abscess on his butt and one day went missing.