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Conservation and Society
An interdisciplinary journal exploring linkages between society, environment and development
Conservation and Society
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Year : 2023  |  Volume : 21  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 1-16

Understanding the Market Drivers Behind the Reduced Demand for Ivory Products in Japan


1 Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK
2 Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Berkshire, UK; Fauna & Flora International, South Sudan Programme, Juba, Republic of South Sudan
3 Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK; Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan; Department of Zoology and Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
4 School of Geography and the Environment and Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
5 Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
6 Department of Zoology and Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, Oxford; On The Edge Conservation, London, UK

Correspondence Address:
Laura Thomas-Walters
Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Scotland
UK
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/cs.cs_155_21

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Reducing demand for wildlife products has been recognised as an important global priority. However, consumer demand is a complicated phenomenon involving numerous interacting biological and socio-economic factors, operating at a range of scales and time periods. The demand for elephant ivory is an excellent illustration of the gaps in our current knowledge. Although it is well-documented that Japan is no longer a significant destination consumer market for ivory products, we have little insight into the market drivers behind this change. This is partly because post-hoc evaluations are difficult when relying on traditional quantitative methods. We used General Elimination Methodology and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders to understand the consumer changes in Japan. We identified the two biggest market drivers—the CITES international trade ban and economic recession—as well as a range of minor drivers and enabling conditions. These included respect for government authority, the passive nature of demand for ivory, and a general cultural shift away from conspicuous consumption. This case study highlights the role of theory-based qualitative evaluations in conservation, which recognises that specific outcomes are likely to be caused by multiple contributing factors driven by interactions between different actors.


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