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2/19/26 How much do you really know about Okunoshima? Is it just a fun place filled with rabbits? That is likely the only image you have of it. The rabbits on Okunoshima are not managed by anyone; they are, in effect, left to roam wild. The rabbits dig burrows and sleep deep within the thickets. Whether the weather is hot or cold, they have little protection from the elements. It is inevitable that their health will deteriorate during periods of extreme heat or severe winter cold. There are no shelters or safe havens for them. The rabbits rely entirely on food given to them by tourists.They will eat anything tourists offer—even bread and sweets that are harmful to them. They also love vegetables, but it is all too common for them to fall ill—sometimes fatally—from overeating. Baby rabbits, in particular, can quickly develop gastric stasis and pass away shortly after you have left the island. Some visitors even accidentally step on rabbits that are clinging to their feet in search of food. This is not a matter that can be resolved with a simple "I'm sorry." Many rabbits that are stepped on suffer broken bones. Injured rabbits are often driven out of the group; they either starve to death or succumb to infections resulting from their wounds. Instinctively, the rabbits establish territories, and most spend their entire lives within those boundaries. Dominant rabbits attempt to monopolize the food supply, intimidating—and sometimes even attacking—weaker individuals. If a rabbit gets injured, there is no one there to provide medical care. The rabbits are frequently chased by children. In the process of chasing them, children often trample and injure the animals. There is a ceaseless stream of rabbits that lose their lives after being stepped on, or after being picked up and subsequently dropped. I have personally witnessed numerous rabbits that died as a direct result of children's actions. Some rabbits are trampled and killed instantly. Given that the overwhelming majority of visitors arrive with the mindset of visiting a petting zoo, how many people truly care about the lives of these rabbits? It is likely unrealistic to expect tourists to behave responsibly in a location where there is absolutely no animal management in place. The tourism industry on Okunoshima—which relies entirely on the sacrifice of its rabbits—has far too many issues that need to be addressed. Please send your feedback to the City of Takehara and the Ministry of the Environment. In @junkohiking profile in Instagram, you will find links titled:"Voice to Takehara City""Voice to Ministry of the Environment"Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Email Address:REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp The collective power of many voices is what drives change.

sick baby rabbit with severe infection 2/14/26 Those who harbor animosity toward the medical rescue efforts on Okunoshima often cite the signs posted on the island. It was a very long time ago that this particular sign was created by the Rabbit Committee. At the time it was made, medical rescues were surely an unforeseen scenario. In fact, because we took the wording of this sign at face value, we have effectively left many rabbits to die. I believe the instruction "Please do not take them off the island" was intended simply to address concerns regarding theft. In 2024, I—along with others involved in medical rescues—contacted the Ministry of the Environment to discuss this matter. Their actual response was as follows: Q: Is it allowed to take rabbits off the island for medical treatment? A: It is not something that cannot be done.A: It is not impossible. Q: Does the Ministry of the Environment consider it acceptable for rabbits to be taken off the island for treatment? A: The Ministry of the Environment does not hold ownership rights over the rabbits; therefore, we cannot stop individuals from taking them.A: Taking them off the island does not constitute a violation of the Natural Parks Act. I implore you to cease the slander and defamation directed at those taking action to save lives that can be saved. The reason some people hesitate to undertake rescues—or choose to keep their rescue efforts private—is precisely because of the anonymous slander generated on social media. The act of saving lives is by no means an easy undertaking. Yet, the number of sick and injured rabbits is so high—and their conditions so frequently severe—that we feel compelled to help them regardless of the difficulty. Do people truly believe that Okunoshima is a peaceful paradise where the rabbits are happy, and that absolutely no improvements are needed? I do not believe that those who profit from tourism centered around the rabbits of Okunoshima have any right to comment on—or debate the propriety of—the situation on the island. I urge you to visit Okunoshima and take a good, hard look at the sick and injured rabbits there. Once you have faced the reality that they receive absolutely no management or care, will you truly feel nothing when you look at them? You can submit your feedback to Takehara City and the Ministry of the Environment via the link in @junkohiking profile in Instagram; Voice to Takehara CityVoice to the Ministry of the EnvironmentEmail address for MOE: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

2/4/26 Sick rabbit 2/12/26 Myth about Ohkunoshima Some people say rabbits are free and happy on Ohkunoshima (Rabbit Island). Did you actually watch how they live? There is no one managing these rabbits. They are not even wild rabbits, but offspring of dumped housed rabbits. Takehara City where this island is located depends on volunteers to provide water (and maybe food) for rabbits and pick up garbages. Volunteers are exploited as well just like rabbits are exploited. Rabbits are completely exposed to harsh weather and their life span is extremely short (1-1.5 years maybe) due to disease, human caused injuries, fights among rabbits. The Ministry has not changed their mind on their position that they will NOT take care of them. And yet, they allowed Takehara City to feed rabbits and water bowls to be placed despite their national park policy. Consequently, rabbits die left and right due to wrong food, inappropriate diet, being stepped on, being dropped after being pickded up. They also make perfect target for predators such as boars, crows, hawks, owls & snakes once sick and injured. They do not stand a chance. Are they really happy? My observation of 13 years proves it otherwise. They are simply neglected and abused by this tourism. Would you place your pet rabbits or even dogs and cats outside all day, all night in scorching summer and freezing winter? You can understand why they don’t get to live long. I don’t see how they can justify any business exploiting these animals without care. Please write to;　(they will not change unless they get tremendous pressure from foreign countries) The Ministry of Environment, Chugoku Shikoku office Email: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp Takehara City https://www-city-takehara-lg-jp.translate.goog/cgi-bin/inquiry.php/25?page_no=2049&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja

Rabbit called "Little Boss" in June 2024 2/4/26 There are people who are lobbying against medical rescue from Ohkunoshima even after 19 months of rescue activities. They claim some rescued rabbits still die despite the treatment off the island. Most of the rescued rabbits in the last 19 months were in serious condition and some cases were almost a miracle for them to make full recovery. How on earth do they oppose to saving lives? What kind of people are they? If left on the island, rabbits will undoubtedly die. Why can’t these people view saving even 1 life positively? Survived rabbits after medical treatments are all well and happy at their new home. Why can’t these people celebrate that together? What is their real intent to make effort to promote “against medical rescue campaign” on the island and to build artificial consensus of “anti rescue” by multiple fake accounts on social media? I even want to ask them if they are okay with this horrendous condition of rabbits which has been going on for many, many years. Do they prefer to see rabbits suffer and die on the island? Why do they not want to save lives of these rabbits? I find these people extremely cruel, heartless monsters. I really feel sorry for rabbits on this island. Sick and injured rabbits are intentionally concealed by these volunteers as if these rabbits belonged to them.　 I do not foresee bright future for these rabbits on Ohkunoshima.

1/11/26 "Living robustly amidst nature"—this is a phrase frequently seen on social media used to describe the rabbits of Okunoshima Island. However, in reality, these rabbits—who receive no genuine care or management—are merely tragic creatures. Buffeted by their own natural instincts and forced to endure harsh weather conditions, they exist solely to be consumed as tourist attractions. Anyone who has ever kept rabbits will recognize the tell-tale signs: rabbits with vacant, lifeless eyes or expressions of obvious distress. Yet, to those who have never owned a rabbit and lack that experience, these very same behaviors often appear to be nothing more than a picture of laid-back relaxation. No matter how much social media hypes up the narrative, the reality remains unchanged. Okunoshima Island is, in truth, far from being a "rabbit paradise." It would be one thing if the rabbits truly lived out their lives in perpetual good health; however, the grim reality is that those scenes of apparent vitality are merely fleeting moments. The undeniable fact remains that, sooner or later, the overwhelming majority of these rabbits will fall ill and die prematurely. It is astonishing how many people continue to visit the island time and again, seeking to draw energy and courage from the rabbits.But isn't that really for your sake? Not for the rabbits'? Once you arrive on the island, it is almost impossible to resist the urge to offer food and water. I, too, am guilty of this. Faced with a hungry rabbit right before your eyes, doing nothing feels undeniably cruel. Yet, we must come to the conscious realization that, despite our intentions, such actions do not actually serve the rabbits' best interests. Unless the Ministry of the Environment alters its current policy regarding the treatment of these rabbits—a policy that essentially dictates "no active care"—the acts of feeding and watering them serve only to perpetuate the vicious cycle of a cruel existence for the rabbits of this island. ​

rabbit got his nose bitten by other rabbit 12/31/25 One big factor to injuries and sickness is FIGHTS AMONG RABBITS. These rabbits are left on the island totally unmanaged and they form their own territories. Consequently, they constantly fight inside/outside their territories. They fought when there were 1000 rabbits 10 years ago and even when there are only 300 left today, they still fight. Attacked rabbits suffer from severe injuries and die from infection or predator attack. They are not wild rabbits. Someone dumped domestic rabbits and multiplied on the island. In fact, dumping pet rabbits continued on this island. These injuries are occurring on this MANMADE rabbit island and the fact feeding was permitted and rabbit population grew, both Takehara city and the Ministry of Environment should be held responsible for their lives. You should not treat these fight related injuries as incidents in nature. Realizing short lifespan on the island and finding some rabbits alive after a few years and thinking they are good… no, they are not good… not good at all. It’s not normal for them to live only for a few years. It’s a clear indication these rabbits do not belong to this island.

baby rabbit on the verge of death due to with gastric stasis 12/18/25 Okunoshima—an island that acts in direct opposition to the spirit of animal welfare. Marketed as a place teeming with rabbits, it has become a tourist destination that any rabbit lover would undoubtedly dream of visiting. But what is the reality behind the hype? The rabbits run freely across the island; upon spotting a human, they approach just like dogs, begging for food. This behavior—so distinct from the aloof, erratic personality of rabbits kept as household pets—is precisely why most visitors become so captivated by them. Although Okunoshima is a national park under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment, the animals inhabiting the island receive absolutely no official management or care. Consequently, the rabbits are left entirely at the mercy of tourists for their food and water. Visitors, acting on hearsay or simply following the lead of others, bring whatever they think is good for the animals—and proceed to feed them indiscriminately. Unsurprisingly, this results in the deaths of many rabbits. Many are accidentally stepped on, or—even more frequently—picked up by tourists only to be dropped; a great number of rabbits perish as a direct result of such incidents. Even those that manage to survive these ordeals are often left unattended, eventually succumbing to death anyway. Tourists never learn the truth: that a rabbit may have died the very next day as a direct consequence of their actions. They simply snap a few cute photos and head home. And so, day after day, new tourists arrive, and this unseen tragedy—known to no one—repeats itself endlessly. The rabbits—descendants of those abandoned long ago mixed with pet rabbits abandoned in more recent years—breed incessantly; they are born in droves, only to die in droves. It is precisely because of this astonishing reproductive capacity that the city of Takehara—despite the high mortality rate—feels absolutely no sense of urgency or crisis. They likely assume that since new rabbits are constantly being born, they can simply leave things as they are. It is a "tourism resource" that replenishes itself without any intervention. For the companies profiting from Okunoshima's rabbits—and for the city of Takehara itself—there could be no business model with a better cost-performance ratio than this. It is, in every respect, the "ideal" model of wildlife tourism: a perfect trifecta of zero maintenance, zero food costs, and zero care. If domestic rabbits are left to roam freely in this manner—without any oversight or efforts to address the various problems that inevitably arise—then surely no one can be blamed if Okunoshima comes under fire as an "island of rabbit abuse." While Okunoshima’s rise as a tourist destination may have been a matter of chance, now that it has achieved such widespread fame, isn't it high time to take a hard look at the reality of the situation and implement proper management for the rabbits? Takehara City, Ministry of the Environment—are you listening?

Pururu (Cheeky) chan had Periapical abscess, lung abscess, jaw bone dissolved. Mahiro had Traumatic Suppurative Periarthritis Kiki had neck and jawbone shattered leaving him with malocclusion that needs periodic dental treatment. 12/12/25 Do not forget Ohkunoshima is a tourist spot at the expense for lives of rabbits. Medical conditions of rabbits on Ohkunoshima are frequently overlooked. Pururu (Cheeky)(rescued in Sept 24) had a balloon like lump on her cheek. Initially, we thought it is abscess and can be healed once it’s drained, but her condition involved apical abscess, malnutrition,malocclusion、dissolved jawbone, pneumonia and lung abscess. Mahiro (rescued in Nov 25) seemed to have broken bone or dislocated hip, but it was incurable septic arthritis and ended up losing his leg. Kiki, only 600 gram baby rabbit rescued 2 weeks ago, despite suspected injury from rabbit fight, turned out to have neck and jawbone fracture and its left inner ear was totally smashed to irreparable condition due to human related injury. All of these rescued rabbits were in worse condition than originally anticipated. The conditions involve infection by multiple factors. Other than inherent disease, causes were wrong diet, rabbit fights and abuse by humans. Considerable number of rabbits had tumors and the very first rescued rabbit, Ran chan, had cancerous tumor. I’m probably not the only one speculating there is residual arsenic in the ground. According to the report by the Ministry of Environment, removal of arsenic was not completed to cover all the grounds. Deep in the woods where rabbits probably expose themselves to arsenic when they dig the ground. They are not wild rabbits who originally lived on this island. They were dumped by humans many years ago including dumping in later years and multiplied. Therefore, this is MAN MADE rabbit island. Then, the Ministry of Environment who manages the island and Takehara city where this island is located are both responsible for lives of these rabbits. Especially, the Ministry allows tourists to feed and give water to rabbits and Takehara City exploits them for tourism. - Why do rabbits need to suffer for enjoyment for humans? - Why are they not protected?　 - Why are medical rescues not accepted positively by MOE? - Why are rabbits not allowed to come back to the island after medical treatment? Why is coming back home considered as animal dumping?

baby rabbit immobilized due to GI stasis 11/24/25 If the Ministry of the Environment truly believes that simply leaving the rabbits "to nature"—as they put it—while tourists interact with them out of good intentions, will result in a smooth flow of tourism revenue for Takehara City, then they are engaging in a misguided, amateurish form of animal-based tourism. Nowhere else can you find a place where you can approach such adorable rabbits without any fences or barriers, and feed them to your heart's content. It is only to be expected that accidents will occur—such as rabbits being accidentally stepped on, or children seeking attention from inattentive parents causing harm to the animals (a phenomenon that, surprisingly, happens quite frequently). This situation did not begin yesterday or today. After visiting this site for twelve years, it is my firm opinion that no matter how many signs are posted or how many people offer verbal warnings, it is—quite frankly—like pouring water on a hot stone; it makes absolutely no difference. Theft of rabbits, abandonment of rabbits, and even the abuse of rabbits will undoubtedly continue in the future. With no rangers permanently stationed on-site, what exactly are they hoping to achieve? Unless they adopt a management model similar to a petting zoo—where, for instance, feeding times are restricted—there is simply no way to protect the vulnerable baby rabbits from harm. Rather than placing their hopes on the manners of tourists, the authorities must shift their focus toward actively managing and protecting the rabbits; otherwise, there will be no end to the suffering and sacrifice of the island's rabbit population. Who will raise their voice on behalf of the rabbits? Ministry of the Environment, Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office — National Parks DivisionEmail: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

Severe nasal infection prevents him from eating Rabbit could barely breathe 10/30/25 The rabbits of Okunoshima Island are designated by the Ministry of the Environment as "Priority Invasive Alien Species for Control" on its list of invasive species that pose a risk to ecosystems. Given that domestic rabbits were abandoned on the island decades ago, it is perhaps not surprising that they are treated as "invasive alien species." Even when rabbits on the island are sick or injured, no measures are taken to help them. The rationale appears to be that since no one holds legal ownership of the island's rabbits, providing no care for them does not constitute a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. One even gets the impression that this situation has been cleverly defined in this way specifically to ensure that no one can be held accountable. Furthermore—with the official endorsement of the Ministry of the Environment—a group known as the "Okunoshima Island Future Creation Executive Committee" has established rules requesting that visitors refrain from taking any rabbits off the island. While the underlying intent is likely to prevent potential diseases carried by the island's rabbits from spreading to the outside world, isn't it far more probable that—even if such diseases did exist—they would have already been spread by tourists? Moreover, rabbits that are rescued are taken directly to a veterinary hospital, so there is absolutely no need for concern regarding them. The rule against touching the rabbits also appears to be justified on the grounds that they might be carrying diseases; however, isn't the true underlying reason actually to prevent people from getting injured by being bitten by the rabbits? In the past, anti-crow deterrents were hung from trees near the burrows to protect the rabbits from attacks by crows. Undoubtedly, these were all removed shortly thereafter. When we requested that signs be posted asking people not to climb on the burrows in order to protect the baby rabbits inside, the Ministry of the Environment explained that they would not permit signs created "for the sake of the rabbits"; however, they noted that signs requesting people not to climb could potentially be approved—depending on the specific circumstances—if the justification was framed around the risk of injury to humans. Similarly, the concern raised regarding leftover food scraps likely stems less from the fear that an increase in natural predators might lead to attacks on the rabbits, and more from the view that such scraps detract from the island's scenic beauty and create undesirable sanitary conditions. In short, while the wording on the island’s signage has seen some minor improvements in recent years, I am compelled to say that, fundamentally, the rules are by no means designed for the benefit of the rabbits; rather, they exist to protect visitors and the island’s natural environment. Despite this, the Ministry of the Environment—which oversees Okunoshima as a National Park where such activities would typically be prohibited—has granted the city of Takehara permission to allow both the feeding of rabbits and the installation of water troughs. Do people truly understand what it means to provide food and water? It means accepting responsibility for those lives. In my view, the Ministry of the Environment’s touted approach of "leaving nature to take its course" is nothing more than "neglect." As long as the city of Takehara continues to generate tourism revenue on the backs of these rabbits, I consider the abandonment of sick or injured animals to be a clear-cut case of animal cruelty. We witness irresponsible and improper feeding by tourists, along with countless instances of children injuring the rabbits—actions that have led to the deaths of untold numbers of these animals. Even the dedicated volunteers who dote on the rabbits have, over time, grown desensitized to their illnesses and injuries, resigning themselves to the reality of their short lifespans. Shockingly, they now go so far as to criticize and slander those who attempt to rescue sick rabbits, accusing them of violating the rules. Am I the only one who struggles to comprehend this glaring contradiction—that the very people who provide food and water out of a desire for the rabbits to remain healthy would then turn against those trying to save them? If one has no intention of caring for these animals through to the very end, then I believe that providing them with food or water ultimately does nothing to truly benefit the rabbits. Will anything on Okunoshima truly change in the near future? How does the city of Takehara—which relies absolutely on the tourism revenue generated by these rabbits—intend to address this situation? If "sustainable tourism" is truly a viable concept here, I urge them to present a concrete plan immediately. Due to a lack of adequate countermeasures, the wild boar population has surged, and the predation of rabbits by these boars is now a frequent occurrence. This grim reality is clearly reflected in the drastic increase in the number of rabbit carcasses being discovered. If things continue on this path, there is a growing likelihood that the landscape of this island—once celebrated as "Rabbit Island"—will be transformed into something entirely different. Who, then, will step forward to protect the lives of these rabbits? Time and again, the ones who end up as victims are none other than the rabbits of the island. The tragedy of Okunoshima continues... We ask for your cooperation in lodging a protest against this situation. Please file a complaint with the Ministry of the Environment.Ministry of the Environment, Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office — National Parks DivisionEmail: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

almost paralyzed waist down injured rabbit will keep distance from healthy rabbits 10/21/25 In summer of 2022, a charcoal gray rabbit was called Garigari (means extremely skinny). She lived in pier 2 of Ohkunoshima where visitors parked their cars. No one knows how she got injured. Some say she was run over by a car being parked or bicycle. Her hips and hind leg were severely damaged. Her back bone was warped and she appeared to drag her entire body sideways when she moved. Like most injured rabbits on the island, she was constantly chased by other rabbits and she stayed away from everyone else. Alone….Starving…. She could no longer climb hill or run around. She stayed behind the compressor or under the grating for shelter. As we started to post about her, many people stopped at pier 2 and started to make sure she gets fed. We all felt she might be able to live a long time in that condition. In the end, one morning, she was attacked by a crow and ended her short life like others. Without any protection, rabbits on Ohkunoshima are forced to live in harsh condition and finish their such short life. Are they exploited for tourism? Absolutely! Any medical care given? Never! This place is like a zoo without zookeepers. If you care, please write to the Ministry of Environment in Japan in charge of this national park who has no intent to provide care for these rabbits; 中国四国地方環境事務所_意見募集・相談(the Ministry of Environment -Chugoku Shikoku division) Email address: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

Not a single yen from tourism goes to Rabbits on Ohkunoshima Who is responsible for these rabbits? 10/15/25 Okunoshima. It is an island that once housed a poison gas factory during World War II; however, it has since become a small island inhabited by a multitude of rabbits—descendants of those abandoned there years ago, who subsequently bred unchecked over many generations. For a long time, it remained a "hidden gem"—an island known only to a select few as a home for rabbits. However, starting about a decade ago, YouTubers began broadcasting its existence to the world, causing the number of tourists to skyrocket. In response, both the city of Takehara and Hiroshima Prefecture seized the opportunity, featuring the island's rabbits on promotional posters and pouring their efforts into boosting tourism. With countless tourists and photography enthusiasts posting images of the adorable rabbits on social media, the synergistic effect on tourism promotion must have been nothing short of spectacular. The island soon evolved into a pilgrimage site for rabbit lovers flocking in from all corners of Japan and the globe. I have even heard that the Kure Line railway and the Omishima Ferry—transportation links once rumored to be facing closure or discontinuation—were saved from that fate thanks to the rabbits of Okunoshima. I still vividly remember my first visit to the island in 2013, when I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of rabbits—so many that they seemed to blanket the entire island. Seeing that feeding was permitted within this national park, and observing the water basins placed throughout the grounds, I initially assumed the rabbits were being properly cared for. However, when I later learned the grim reality—that they were essentially being left to fend for themselves, with even tasks like replenishing water and picking up trash left entirely to volunteers—I could hardly believe it. Naturally, there was absolutely no veterinary care provided; even back in 2013, sick and injured rabbits could be seen scattered everywhere. The fact that the specific population of rabbits seemed to change completely with every subsequent visit leaves no doubt in my mind that, even back then, the majority of the rabbits were living very short lives. I, too, once held the naive belief that "the more rabbits there are, the more fun it is to feed them." However, after years of witnessing countless rabbits lose their lives to injury and disease, my feelings eventually shifted; I came to feel nothing but indignation toward the cruel, neglected living conditions to which the rabbits of Okunoshima are subjected. As is evident at a glance from the photograph, this rabbit is ill. It is suffering from a severe infection; despite being a highly social animal, it is constantly alone—without a partner or anyone to groom it—and has fallen into a state so wretched and dilapidated that its fur is far beyond mere dishevelment. Rabbits that fall into such a condition typically perish from respiratory distress or are killed by natural predators. The Ministry of the Environment has stated that, as the island's rabbits are classified as an invasive species, it has absolutely no intention of providing them with any care. However, if the Ministry permits the city of Takehara to allow feeding and the installation of water troughs within the national park—thereby sanctioning the tourism industry—is it truly justifiable for them to refuse to provide care for the very rabbits that serve as the industry's primary tourist attraction? If you believe that these rabbits should receive medical care, please send your feedback to the Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office. The collective voices of many individuals can become a powerful force for change. Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office — Feedback & Inquiries REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp