A severely ill rabbit, living in isolation to escape from the other rabbits 3/27/26 Are the Rabbits of Okunoshima Truly Pitiful? Many first-time visitors to the island fail to notice the "dark side" of Okunoshima. I, too, was once among them. People are thrilled by the sight of so many adorable rabbits flocking around them. It is precisely this experience that likely ensures the island's popularity never wanes. Furthermore, when one sees nothing but photos of cute rabbits on social media, it is entirely understandable—and indeed, only natural—to assume the place is a charming and idyllic destination. Some visitors, depending on the timing of their trip, recognize the deep-seated problems from the very moment they arrive. Others visit repeatedly before finally realizing the severity of the situation, leaving them utterly aghast. By staying on the island for extended periods—witnessing events unfold over the course of several weeks during early weekday mornings, Saturday nights, long holiday weekends, and even on days with inclement weather—we were able to grasp the true reality of Okunoshima. Most people assume that the island's rabbits are being properly managed. Indeed, they would have no reason to suspect otherwise.However, when one observes the rabbits with the knowledge that they are not being managed, they present a completely different impression—one that comes as a shock to many.In particular, those who keep rabbits as pets often wear expressions of bewilderment and disbelief. Even so, many people still argue that living freely outdoors is surely preferable to being confined within a cramped cage. This sentiment, however, tends to arise only when the rabbits appear healthy—running about energetically or interacting harmoniously with one another.Observing this seemingly peaceful and happy scene, many are quick to assert that the rabbits of Okunoshima are not, in fact, pitiful creatures. Conversely, for those like us—who have witnessed countless sick and injured rabbits, and who have endured the agonizing experience of watching them suffer in pain as they slowly succumb to death—the true depth of Okunoshima's moral failing becomes painfully clear. It is a situation that can only be described as utterly cruel. The short-lived rabbits dying on the island are not simply falling victim to "natural selection." It is fundamentally impossible—and indeed, absurd—to expect domestic rabbits, which lack the physical constitution to survive in the wild, to remain healthy and thrive without any form of care or intervention. It is tantamount to telling a domestic rabbit to live in the wild—in an environment where it cannot naturally forage or drink as it would in its natural habitat. I ask you to imagine your own pet rabbit living on Okunoshima Island. Picture an environment characterized by ceaseless territorial conflicts—both within and outside established boundaries—where a rigid power hierarchy dictates who gets to eat and who does not. Imagine falling ill or sustaining an injury, yet having no one to take you to a veterinary clinic; where sickness progresses silently, and a life eventually fades away, unnoticed by anyone. No matter how many perish, new rabbits are born in a ceaseless stream to take their place. To the casual observer, Okunoshima might appear to be an island teeming with rabbits living happily and freely at all times.It is precisely this illusion, I fear—with a sense of utter despair—that serves as the very reason why efforts to improve the welfare of the rabbits on Okunoshima have failed to gain traction.

3/20/26 (The picture captures an early instance where two rabbits attempted to drive Mr. Matsusaka out of their territory.) When we first visited Okunoshima in 2013, the rabbit population must surely have exceeded 1,000. If the current count stands at 400, it certainly felt as though there were at least three times that number back then. (I suspect that once the rabbit population surpasses a certain threshold, it becomes impossible to count them accurately.)As we toured the island, we noticed water basins placed here and there, accompanied by signage. It appeared, to all intents and purposes, to be a well-managed sanctuary where animals were free to roam. It was only later that we learned the truth: the scavenging of scraps, the replenishment of water, and the cleanup of droppings were all carried out by frequent visitors—while the Kyukamura resort, the city of Takehara, and even the Ministry of the Environment (which ostensibly manages the island) remained completely hands-off regarding the rabbits themselves. I distinctly remember that there were far more rabbits missing ears or eyes back then than there are today. Given the sheer size of the population, it was only natural that the number of injured rabbits was correspondingly high. Their desperation for food was intense, and one couldn't help but suspect that some rabbits were simply unable to secure any sustenance at all. I recall that no matter how much food tourists scattered, the rabbit population was so dense that virtually no scraps were ever left behind. Nowadays, however—with the number of tourists far outweighing the rabbit population—days of excessive feeding often result in uneaten scraps being left to rot. What happens when rabbits with strong territorial instincts are allowed to roam freely in a shared space? Naturally, they establish their own territories in which to live. Any rabbit that strays outside its designated territory is liable to be attacked, bitten, and injured. Many of these injured rabbits subsequently contract infections and, after a period of suffering, eventually succumb to their wounds. Although the current population is said to hover around 400, has the fighting actually ceased? The answer is a resounding "No." While the absolute number of rabbits injured in fights may appear lower now, this is merely a reflection of the smaller overall population; the percentage of rabbits sustaining injuries due to territorial conflicts seems to remain exactly the same as it was in the past. Rabbit fights—whether minor skirmishes or major battles—occur daily, at various times throughout the day. One fight I witnessed over the past two or three years was particularly brutal: one rabbit chased another at breakneck speed for nearly five minutes until, in the end, the victim bled out and died. It was a fight to the death. On another occasion—the year before he passed away—a rabbit named Matsusaka (whose story is pinned to my profile) was relentlessly pursued and bitten by two other rabbits. (The video I posted captures the initial moments of that altercation.) When someone attempted to intervene and break up the fight, they sustained a severe injury to their hand. That is just how sharp a rabbit's teeth are. Matsusaka, injured in the attack, went missing for about two weeks but eventually recovered and returned. Yet, despite having miraculously survived that violent rabbit fight, Matsusaka ultimately met his end due to human error. I invite you to read my previous posts to learn the full details of that tragic outcome. It is also beyond doubt that the massive abscess that ultimately claimed the life of Saki—a rabbit rescued in February who passed away in March—originated from a bite wound sustained during a fight.If you visit the island, you are bound to encounter rabbits suffering from abscesses that have swollen into grotesque lumps. Without medical treatment, those rabbits are virtually certain to lose their lives. It is not merely the feeding of the rabbits that creates problems; the rabbits' own fighting causes just as many issues.What happens when animals with strong territorial instincts are allowed to roam free on an island where no one takes responsibility? It is hardly surprising that the chaotic conditions we witness there to this very day are the inevitable result.

I am delicate and can get sick very easily 3/7/26 Unlike dogs or cats, rabbits are not animals that can simply get by on two meals a day. They possess a digestive tract that requires constant activity; a lack of food intake makes them prone to developing gastrointestinal stasis. Some argue that the rabbits on the island need water rather than food, but failing to eat small amounts regularly to keep their digestive systems moving puts their lives at risk. While overfeeding on weekends is harmful, a severe lack of food during the week poses a serious threat to the rabbits' health. Another cause for concern is the reduction in edible vegetation over the past four or five months, caused by wild boars rooting up the turf. If such delicate rabbits are left unmanaged on Okunoshima and forced to subsist on whatever food tourists choose to feed them, it is hardly surprising that young rabbits could easily fall ill. The issue of feeding goes beyond the food itself; the close proximity between humans and rabbits also leads to frequent accidents where the animals are stepped on. Allowing rabbits to roam free on the island without any management is simply not feasible.

3/6/26 — "It’s so moving to see how resilient wild rabbits are—surviving even after fierce fights and injuries."— "I’m deeply moved by the lively spirit of the rabbits on Okunoshima."— "The rabbits on Okunoshima are by no means pitiful creatures." These are words frequently uttered by people who truly do not understand the reality of Okunoshima. Rabbits that sustain injuries in fierce fights often lose their lives. Day viisitors who catch a glimpse of these injured animals rarely give a second thought to the fact that those very rabbits may die shortly thereafter. I would like someone to explain to me: what exactly is there to be "moved" by when watching these animals inflict injuries upon one another? It is true that there are times when they appear lively and full of energy. However, a happy and peaceful existence is by no means guaranteed for them; for many, their short lives come to a premature end. I will say it again and again: the rabbits of Okunoshima are nothing more than a population of domestic rabbits—abandoned by humans—that subsequently bred uncontrollably. Why are their lives so short? It is because they face a ceaseless array of dangers: harsh weather conditions, violent fights among themselves, accidents involving being stepped on during feeding times, and injuries sustained when dropped after being picked up by visitors. In such densely populated areas, diseases like Pasteurella spread like wildfire. I sense that the vast majority of people who visit the island have, from the very start, simply resigned themselves to the fate of the Okunoshima rabbits—viewing their suffering as something "unavoidable."I understand that providing aid can be difficult. However, when it comes to the fragile lives of these rabbits, I implore you not to make excuses or settle for compromise simply because they happen to be the rabbits of Okunoshima. I believe we must appeal to the Ministry of the Environment—urging them to intervene, change the current situation, and establish an environment where these rabbits can truly live happy and safe lives. Please do not forget this: even when the rabbits of Okunoshima fall ill or sustain injuries, there is absolutely no one there to provide them with care.

2/27/26 I dislike social media. It gives me the impression that social media has taken over the role the mass media once played in controlling public opinion—back in an era before such platforms existed. The reason I continue to post on social media is to raise awareness about the actual situation on Okunoshima and to help gather funds for the medical care of rescued rabbits. I do not want the fabricated information circulating on social media to be conflated with the updates I post about the actual situation on Okunoshima. If you believe Okunoshima is a rabbit paradise, I want you to visit the island and see for yourself. Furthermore, I want you to state your opinions openly and confidently in the comments on my posts—without hiding behind a fake account. People who engage in cowardly acts—such as blocking someone on platforms like X only to spew vile comments—have no right to offer an opinion. For years, I have simply posted about events on Okunoshima that I witnessed firsthand. I have absolutely no incentive to badmouth the people who profit from the island's rabbits or those who work hard to provide them with water. Frankly, I couldn't care less about such things. The truth is the truth, and no one can change it. I am simply saying that the way Okunoshima is managed and the treatment of the rabbits are morally wrong.

2/26/26 I cannot forget the look on the sick rabbit's face when it turned back to look at me. It seemed to be pleading for help. I wonder just how many sick or injured rabbits I saw during this visit—twenty-five? Thirty? The number has kept rising since the long weekend. The reality that I cannot save them all. The frustration of being unable to change a system that treats these lives so callously. During the long weekend, I was reminded of the incident in 2023 involving a rabbit named Matsuzaka-san; children had repeatedly cornered the animal, causing it to break its back, and it died the following day. (Pinned post in my instagram profile) I witnessed the same scenes over this holiday weekend that have remained unchanged for ages: a boy thrusting his hands in to try and catch a rabbit; a girl—not even three years old—crawling beneath the boardwalk in pursuit of one. To these children, the rabbits are nothing more than toys. Meanwhile, the crows—which once did little more than peck at carcasses—have evolved into highly skilled hunters. They are quick to spot sick or injured rabbits and lie in wait for the perfect moment to strike. Taking down a rabbit unable to run fast is no challenge for them; they attack repeatedly, wearing the animal down. When an injured rabbit—left to heal naturally—goes missing for days, that worry often culminates in a cruel outcome. Tourists want to frolic with the cute rabbits, and they are determined to feed them—at any cost. For the rabbits, weekends and long holidays become a life-or-death struggle where their very lives are at risk. Even though the tourists mean no harm, the rabbits end up losing their lives. A person might stop when cautioned, only for the very next person nearby to repeat the same behavior. Signs and announcements prove ineffective; the number of injured and dying rabbits shows no signs of decreasing. Okunoshima absolutely must change. I heard that during the trial regarding an incident a year ago, the island's rabbits were officially classified as "protected animals" for the first time. If that is the case, the current conditions in which the island's rabbits live must be in violation of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals. Unless we appeal to the Ministry of the Environment, the situation will not change. The Ministry of Environment, Chugoku Shikoku office Email: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

2/25/26 A ailing rabbit with tattered coat. I wonder if she has turned a year old yet? Perhaps, once upon a time, it was healthy enough to run and frolic freely. Now, however, she is frequently chased away and struggles desperately just to secure a morsel of food.On that particular day—perhaps sensing that its chances were slim if it merely kept reaching up from the ground—she climbed all the way onto the table where my bag sat, filled with various treats. As it happened, the other rabbits were too busy feeding on the ground to notice this little one’s presence; realizing that if I let this moment pass, I might never get another chance to give it a proper meal, I seized the opportunity. The rabbit that had climbed onto the table brought its face right up to mine. Her eyes and nose were in a terrible state—ravaged by infection. I hurriedly pulled out a banana. As I peeled it and held it out, the rabbit began to devour it voraciously. Was this the first time she had ever tasted such a thing? The way she ate was so pitiful that it brought tears to my eyes. Although I knew I shouldn't give it too much at once, looking at this rabbit—which I doubted would survive much longer—I decided to let her eat as much as her heart desired. Watching it, I simply couldn't hold back my tears. Why? Why is it left neglected and uncared for until she reaches such a wretched state? Are we really supposed to accept this as the "fate" of those born on Okunoshima Island? Don't give me that nonsense! We must never, ever accept the reality of the rabbits on this island being subjected to such cruel treatment.There, before me, stood a rabbit that compelled me to vow—time and time again—that I would never cease appealing to the Ministry of the Environment on their behalf.

baby rabbit is too fragile to survive on the island 2/22/26, It’s almost like a roll of dice for someone like this little one to survive on this island.

left side of his face right side of his face 2/22/26 In the environment of Okunoshima—where no one takes responsibility for the lives of the animals—can the acts of feeding and providing water truly be justified? Are these actions genuinely in the best interest of the rabbits? Although Okunoshima falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry has explicitly stated that it does not manage the rabbits. By "not managing," they naturally mean that they provide no care whatsoever. If that is the case, what are the solutions to the following problems? - Without sorting and managing the rabbits, injuries resulting from fights among them will never cease.- Unless feeding is prohibited, illness and death caused by inappropriate food will never cease. - Unless a safe distance is maintained between humans and rabbits, injuries and fatalities caused by accidental trampling or falls while being held will never cease.- Unless rabbits carrying infectious diseases are isolated from healthy ones, the entire population will fall ill, and deaths will be inevitable. - Unless spaying and neutering are implemented, the rabbit population will continue to grow unchecked. I do not believe that a tourism industry centered on rabbits can be justified without proper rabbit management; yet, I find myself wondering: how exactly did the practice of feeding and setting out water troughs come to be permitted in the first place? I am opposed to both the feeding of rabbits and the installation of water troughs in a situation where there is no true management of the animals. Ultimately, these actions do not serve the rabbits' best interests. Although I no longer feed them as actively as I once did, I am fully aware that I, too, am culpable; when confronted with a hungry rabbit right before my eyes, I still feel that withholding food would be cruel, and so I feed them—a sin I acknowledge. Given the Ministry of the Environment's consistent stance thus far, it seems highly unlikely that they will shift toward actively managing the rabbits. In that case, I implore them to put an end to both the feeding and the provision of water troughs. If the current situation persists, this vicious cycle will continue almost indefinitely. As things stand, the lives of the rabbits on this island are—quite literally—disposable.

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.