Size of her tumor was breathtaking SOS post done before leaving the island Her tumor was reduced in size significantly by over a month of medication After surgical removal of her tumor, she regained the quality of life 8/21/26 A rabbit on the West Coast that had a large tumor on its ear. The size of the tumor was breathtaking. She was all alone but fortunately, she held high rank in the territory, so she was rarely chased by others. Posts about the rabbit had been appearing for a few months and everyone expressed a desire to help her. Living in the US, no home in Japan, we had no option. I posted her condition with SOS call before leaving the island. It was only after we had returned to the US that I received word that help was on its way. Following discussion with the Ministry of the Environment responsible for this national park, Ran chan was rescued on the condition that she would be not returned to the island and that a permanent foster home would be found for her. Ran chan underwent major surgery, successfully removing the cancerous tumor. While amputating the ear might have been the simplest approach, the vet took time to shrink tumor with meds first, allowing them to remove only the tumor itself. Details of the surgery were shared in a post, and the advanced medical techniques employed were truly astonishing. Those who frequented Ohkunoshima were deeply shocked by this rescue. Although everyone had previously expressing desire to help her, they unleashed a storm of criticism after her resuce. I was disheartened, wondering their words about wanting to help had been mere lip service. For at least nine month to a year, we were accused of donation fraud and became targets of slander.

Boss was found struggling on the ground He was getting by till a few days ago although his neck was tilted With loss of balance, he was totally bedridden and needed help 24x7 care started for Little Boss 8/19/26 The very night we buried Visi-chan on the island, we received word that a rabbit was in distress. It was Little Boss. Although he had developed a head tilt some time ago, he had managed to get around until then. However, starting that night, Little Boss completely lost his sense of balance; unable to walk normally, he required constant nursing care. We kept him in the box overnight, but one morning, Little Boss was missing from the box. We panicked. We searched everywhere but couldn't find him; we feared a wild boar had gotten to him. A few hours later, Little Boss was found lying on his back under the scorching sun. It turned out that after crawling out of the box, he somehow managed to make his way to the courtyard. He was suffering from heatstroke. We began nursing him back to health with all our might so intensely that we couldn't look after the other rabbits at all. We posted a call for help, but only one person came to assist us. Unable to stand by and watch, someone else offered to take Little Boss in, and Little Boss left the island. It seems Little Boss’s condition was severe; while the exact timing is unclear, it appears he passed away some months later. The very people who had worked so hard for Little Boss turned against the rescue effort the following month—immediately after Ran-chan was saved. People who wanted to save the rabbits adamantly opposed the rescue, engaging in slander and actively obstructing our efforts, and as a result, we were subjected to attacks for a long time.

The rabbit was writhing in agony when found Unable to eat or drink, the rabbit went into convulsion not much treatment was done at hospital, hospitalization was refused 8/16/26 Memorable rabbits Part 4 (Visi chan) I found a rabbit near the visitor center early in the morning, writhing in agony. Her body was convulsing, and it seemed there was nothing to be done. It appeared unlikely to survive much longer, but it was a Saturday—a day when tourists flock to the area. Unable to simply leave her there, we placed her in a box and hid her in a secluded spot. We checked on her several times; though she was barely clinging to life, she was naturally unable to eat or drink anything. When we went to check on her the next morning, to our surprise, she was still alive. However, she didn't look like she would recover on her own, yet we couldn't simply leave her there, so we decided to take her to a veterinary clinic. This rabbit became the very first one we rescued and brought off the island. Maggots were swarming out from near the eye of the rabbit—named Visi-chan—on the Shinkansen, and I desperately tried to remove them with my fingers. Each time I did, the skin on its face would peel away. The word “hopeless” flashed before my eyes. The vet was cold toward Visi-chan because she was a rabbit from Okunoshima. She received no real treatment, and hospitalization was refused. On the way back, while waiting at Mihara Port for the ferry to Okunoshima, Biji-chan’s life slipped away—snapping just like a broken thread. An indescribable rage welled up inside me.

8/12/26 Rapo stopped eating as a result of GI stasis Rapo after recovery from GI stasis Many of the rabbits on Okunoshima are friendly. However, a rabbit named Rapo, who lived in the open area near the pool, struck me as—in a sense—a classic capricious, fickle rabbit. This rabbit was incredibly cute and extremely popular. Although the rabbit looked like a girl, he was actually a boy; because of this, he had to move from territory to territory, struggling quite a bit to find a place where he truly belonged. There was a time when he developed GI stasis and stopped eating entirely—a critical situation—but we managed to nurse it back to health in five or six days by feeding it the only type of puree it would accept, several times a day. Rabbits suffering from GI stasis can be saved if the condition is detected early. You should be alert if a rabbit becomes motionless and stops moving around. Keeping the rabbit's gastrointestinal tract moving is crucial. Once a rabbit realizes it is being helped, it will begin to rely on the person caring for it. I heard through the grapevine that, after remaining healthy for several years, he eventually fell ill and one day simply vanished. That is the typical way a rabbit on Okunoshima meets its end.

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 Ministry of the Environment in Japan; Address:REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp The collective power of many voices is what drives change.

Life after falling iill was rough for Necky His left eye was full of dirt due to constant contact with the ground This posture is the only way he could rest 8/9/26 The rabbit, whom we named Necky in 2022, suffered from Torticollis so severe that his head was twisted all the way down, bringing his face nearly to the ground. He had apparently once been the boss of his territory; the tears in his ears bore witness to the fierce battles he had endured, revealing him to be a rabbit of indomitable spirit. It seemed that Necky had a partner before falling ill. (Pic 6) Even after becoming sick, Necky appeared concerned about that partner; however, another male began making advances on the partner, and we found ourselves witnessing this strange love triangle. Necky would stare intently at the pair from close range—watching the other male’s advances with a sharp gaze that seemed to betray a sense of jealousy. Until recently, Necky had reigned as the boss, but after falling ill, he was desperately trying to survive on his own. Necky was practically in need of care, and we took care of him every day. Necky was known as the one who had driven Nigi-chan—a famous rabbit with a face shaped like a rice ball—out of their territory; it seemed to me that many of the others treated Necky coldly, even when he fell ill. Then, on a night of driving rain, Necky was carried off by a wild boar. I wonder what was going through his mind in those final moments, being captured alive. A gaping hole opened up in my heart.

8/6/26 There are many cute rabbits on Okunoshima. However, since most of them have short lives, it is often the case that you never get to see them a second time. Among the rabbits that have managed to live a long life, we often find myself picking out a favorite. In fact, quite a few people who visit Okunoshima regularly go there so specifically because of those particular rabbits. The rabbit named Gomafuwa was one whose well-being we ourselves made sure to check every time we visited the island. Tofu as we personally called her—was a female rabbit, and literally as fluffy as a cloud. She was actually quite old; by the time we last saw her, she might have been over five years old. When first discovered, Mofu appeared to maintain a dominant position within her territory; however, as the years went by, she was displaced from that status and frequently chased away. Although she seems to have given birth repeatedly, it was striking to see that in her old age, she would flee with an expression bordering on terror whenever a male approached to mate. Nothing has been heard of her since the autumn of 2024, when the wave of mass killing began. As she was a strikingly beautiful and eye-catching rabbit, strong possibility she was one of the victims. Accustomed to receiving food from people, Mofu may well have approached the perpetrator. I cannot hold back the tears when I imagine that scene and think of the terror she must have felt in her final moments.

When Kaito was healthy back in February 2026 Kaito was grossly underweight and carrying huge abscess before rescue in July 2026 7/31/26 Regarding medical rescue operations from Okunoshima, some argue that rabbits with no chance of survival should simply be left on the island. Why is that? A rabbit with no hope of recovery is often unable to eat and is in a state where it cannot even be aware of the other rabbits around it. The surrounding rabbits can do nothing but remain near the suffering animal. When a rabbit falls gravely ill, being devoured by its natural predator becomes only a matter of time, and it is forced to experience ultimate terror. As for its family, they would be left to witness the scene of the suffering rabbit being attacked. The intention behind a rescue is to provide medical care with the hope of recovery. However, I believe that even when the condition is far worse than anticipated and the chances of recovery are slim, there is still significant value in carrying out the rescue. Once rescued and given attentive care, the rabbits' actual medical conditions would be revealed; this would lead many people to realize the severity of the environment they inhabit on Okunoshima—a place where they cannot live out their natural lifespans. There are many rabbits that have been rescued, made full recoveries, and are now living happy lives. On the other hand, there are also rabbits whose conditions were too severe to save them. Unfortunately, that is likely a fact that must simply be accepted as an inherent aspect of rescue operations. （Kaito was healthy back in February, but he was unbelievably thin and sick when he was rescued in July. Unforfortunately, he passed away 2 weeks after the rescue despite treatment in the hospital)

Saki, who had massive abscess on his back 3/14/26 (Pictured: Rabbits on Okunoshima Island that have suffered from abscesses) Saki—a rabbit rescued on February 18, 2026, with a massive abscess on her back—bravely underwent treatment at the veterinary hospital for a month but passed away. Reflecting on Saki’s condition brings to mind the many other rabbits I have seen on Okunoshima Island over the years that were afflicted with abscesses. ( Unfortunately, Saki passed away despite her fight to survive) According to veterinarians, rabbit abscesses are entirely different from those found in dogs and cats; they constitute a far more serious medical issue. The thick, cheesy, white pus characteristic of these abscesses rarely drains naturally, even if the tough outer membrane ruptures; consequently, thorough flushing and the administration of antibiotics are absolutely essential. it is a troublesome condition that is difficult to cure completely, carries a high risk of recurrence, and can even metastasize to other parts of the body. I am told that the only definitive cure involves surgical removal of the entire abscess—including its encapsulating membrane—and that natural recovery is simply not possible.If left untreated, the bacteria will spread throughout the rabbit's entire system, eventually leading to death. When rabbits—creatures with a strong territorial instinct—are allowed to roam freely in such a manner, it is inevitable that fights will break out frequently. This remains true even when there is an ample supply of food.In the case of the rabbits on Okunoshima Island, the vast majority of abscesses found on the body—excluding the face and throat—are likely the result of bite wounds sustained during these altercations. Abscesses that form on the face or jaw, however, are typically caused by root infections resulting from dental malocclusion, or by bacterial infections such as Pasteurella. If left untreated, the infection can penetrate deep into the bone, leading to osteomyelitis.Now that I think about it, I have indeed seen many rabbits over the years with lumps beneath their jaws. At the time, it struck me as somewhat unnatural for an abscess to form in that specific location solely as a result of fighting. Many of the cases I once assumed were tumors may, in retrospect, have actually been abscesses—a condition I have evidently witnessed countless times. Given their often unbalanced diets, it is hardly surprising that the rabbits on Okunoshima Island frequently suffer from dental health issues. Some people argue that fighting is simply a natural occurrence among rabbits living in the wild and that it is therefore unavoidable; however, I do not share that view. The very presence of rabbits on Okunoshima is, in itself, neither natural nor organic. They are simply abandoned animals that have bred. Okunoshima, a designated national park, has become a tourist destination famous for its rabbits. Yet, within this tourist hotspot, the rabbits are left to fend for themselves without any care—subjected to conditions that amount to sheer neglect. There is not even a management system in place to provide medical attention should they fall ill or suffer injuries. They are treated merely as disposable props for tourism, left to die in vain. Even for Japan—a country often considered lacking in awareness regarding animal welfare—should such a situation truly be tolerated? If there is no intention to provide care, then a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program—involving spaying and neutering—should be implemented immediately. I firmly believe that this vicious cycle must be broken.

7/19/26 Summer on Okunoshima is long and sweltering. The heat on this island in the Seto Inland Sea is truly tropical; the thermometer at the No. 2 Pier often registers a higher temperature than the official reading for Takehara City shown on an iPhone. Amidst this heat, the rabbits struggle desperately to survive. They try to cool off by digging into the ground and lying flat against the earth. They spend much of the day asleep, remaining motionless in the shade. Not a few rabbits succumb to heatstroke when the heat becomes too much for them to bear. When filling the water buckets placed in the shade all over the island, please also sprinkle water on the surrounding soil. This temporarily lowers the ground temperature, allowing the rabbits to lie flat on their bellies and cool off; whenever the shaded soil is watered, the rabbits invariably lie down on it. Please do whatever you can to help ease their suffering, even just a little, on this harsh island.

Severe infection on nose and right eye. She was totally ousted from other rabbits 5/15/26 Can the Rabbits Not Be Rescued Simply Because They Inhabit Country-Owned Land? During the trial concerning the mass slaughter of rabbits that took place a year ago, the official classification of the rabbits on Ohkunoshima Island was redefined—shifting from "invasive alien species" (their previous designation) to "protected animals." It was precisely because of this new classification that the perpetrator could be prosecuted and ultimately found guilty. However, recent discussions with the Ministry of the Environment have confirmed that—despite their status as "protected animals"—the fact remains that no individual or entity holds legal ownership over the rabbits. In other words, this implies that the Ministry of the Environment bears no responsibility for the lives of these animals. Frankly, I find it impossible to accept the logic that the Ministry—which is responsible for managing the national park where these rabbits reside—bears no responsibility for the very animals that serve as the park's primary tourist attraction, simply because it does not hold legal title to them. I believe the fundamental issue regarding Ohkunoshima lies in the fact that a significant number of local residents profit from the island's rabbits. Although the Ministry of the Environment is a government agency, it is unlikely to take any actions that would hinder local development. This "local development" centers on a tourism industry built around the rabbits of Ohkunoshima as its main attraction—specifically, the revenue generated by tourists who, having visited the island, subsequently spend money in the neighboring city of Takehara. Consequently, local residents strongly desire the continued survival of the Ohkunoshima rabbits. Without the rabbits, the stream of tourists visiting Ohkunoshima would likely dry up almost entirely. If tourists stopped coming, the city of Takehara would lose the revenue associated with its tourism sector. Given that there are few other attractions in Takehara city capable of drawing visitors, the region is, in essence, entirely beholden to the rabbits. The fact that Ohkunoshima is designated as a national park also serves as an impediment to resolving this issue. I have been aware for years of the Ministry of the Environment's stance—namely, that they do not wish for rabbits to inhabit the island. Consequently, the very act of establishing specific rules regarding feeding would appear to contradict the Ministry's underlying desire that visitors refrain from feeding the rabbits altogether. Indeed, were one to contact the Ministry today to inquire about feeding, the response would almost certainly be that they would prefer visitors not to feed the island's rabbits, if at all possible. Above all, the Ministry lacks the authority to impose legally binding restrictions on tourists. I was informed that the signs posted around the island are not "Ministry of the Environment signs," but rather signs created by the "Ohkunoshima Future Creation Committee." These signs, I was told, serve strictly as "requests" and carry no authority for mandatory enforcement. Furthermore, it was fully acknowledged that there are inherent limitations to relying solely on signage and public awareness campaigns to curb undesirable behavior among tourists. While Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) appears to be the necessary approach for controlling the island's rabbit population, the Ministry did not express an outright negative view on this matter; rather, it appears there remains room for future discussion and consideration regarding this specific point. Is it not morally wrong to indirectly condone the literal sacrifice of the rabbits on Ohkunoshima simply because doing so would result in a loss of revenue for the city of Takehara? I find the explanation—that the current status quo cannot be altered because the island is a national park—wholly unconvincing, particularly when the sole justification for maintaining it seems to be the enjoyment of tourists. While it is argued that private land would allow for various restrictions that are impossible within a national park, I strongly feel that such limitations are not immutable; surely, it would be entirely possible to modify definitions or establish exceptions if the will to do so existed. If things remain as they are, absolutely nothing will change. We must raise our voices louder; otherwise, not only will the rabbits of Ohkunoshima continue to suffer a pitiful fate, but Japan—with its current lack of sensitivity toward animal welfare—will inevitably become a target of international condemnation. Regarding the rescueof sick or injured rabbits from the island, there has been no change in Ministry position since our last update (July 2024). As the Ministry of the Environment does not hold legal ownership of the rabbits, they are unable to legally prohibit their removal; consequently, we have informed them that our rescue group will continue to carry out necessary rescue operations moving forward.

Injured rabbit after fight I was looking back at photos of the rabbits on Ohkunoshima—going through thousands of them, one by one. So many rabbits that hold special memories for me appeared . As various memories came flooding back, I found myself unable to hold back the tears. That one died, too. And this one. Every time I returned to the island, there were rabbits I would never see again—precious lives I can now only behold in photographs. A rabbit with a sprained leg. One whose eyes were nearly sealed shut with white discharge. Another struggling to breathe with a blocked nose. Spending so much time on the island meant we encountered far too many sick or injured rabbits. When I first started visiting the island, I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't wait for my next visit. The more rabbits there were, the happier I felt. Feeding them was fun, too. But what about now? Now that I know the reality of the island, all I feel is a surge of anger—anger at the fact that I couldn't save them, and at the situation that remains completely unchanged. That overwhelming feeling inevitably washes over me whenever I look back at these photos. There was an instance where, as a dead rabbit was being placed in a box and the lid was about to be closed, its partner tried to climb inside. Never had I experienced a moment that tore at my heart quite like that. Rabbits enduring the pain of injuries, or those lying motionless due to illness—I just want a system established to help such little ones without hesitation. That is all I ask for.