Japanese Geoparks Network

The Japanese Geoparks Network (JGN) is a specified nonprofit organization which is a networking platform for the Geoparks in Japan.

As of 24 May 2023, the JGN regular membership consists of 10 UNESCO Global Geoparks in Japan and 36 Japanese National Geoparks. There are 7 aspiring geoparks listed as associate members.

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In December 2007, the Japanese Geopark Liaison Council was established with support from Japanese geologists and private organizations that were conducting geological surveys, and some local authorities and others who wish to establish Geoparks began exchanging ideas.

In December 2008, seven Japanese Geoparks were designated as national geoparks.

In May 2009, the Japanese Geopark Liaison Council became the Japanese Geoparks Network (JGN).

Every year, the JGN National Conference and workshops are held.

Active support is given to areas which have suffered from natural disasters through sharing information about natural disasters, such as earthquakes.

LATEST NEWS

Letter of support from the Global Geoparks Network in response to 2024 Noto Earthquake
2024/02/16

On 1st of February, just one month after the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, the President of the Global Geoparks Network kindly sent a letter of support and solidality to JGN.

Marine Debris Symposium on March 11, 2023 held online and in-person in English.
2023/02/17

JGN and Oki Islands UGGp invite you to join us.
Please use the form to sign up to participate.

Kick-off event for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
2022/01/27

JGN organized a kick-off event for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development at Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark on 13 Nov 2021 and made the Declaration of JGN Initiatives for the Decade.

The 10th National Conference of the JGN held November 2 to 5, 2019
2019/11/03

Dr. Ka-Ming YEUNG of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark gave a presentation and shared their experiences, such as collecting oral history of locals by face to face interviews.

The 10th National Conference of the JGN held November 2 to 5, 2019
2019/11/02

Professor Kazuo Oike, the former president of the Japan Geopark Committee, was awarded a letter of appreciation and gratitude for his great contribution to the development of geopark activities in Japan in the past 10 years.

Middle School from Hong Kong Visits Japanese Geoparks!
2019/04/19

A group from Fung Yiu King Memorial Secondary School (a school cooperating with Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark) visited the San’in Kaigan and Oki Islands UGGps on April 6th-11th, 2019. During their stay, the students learned about the geoheritage of both geoparks and experienced various local traditions.

The GEOPARK magazine vol.6 released
2019/04/01

The GEOPARK magazine vol.6 was released on March 1, 2019.
JGN publishes the magazine every year.
This time the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Latin America and the Caribbean are featured as well as the Hagi Geopark, newly designated Japanese National Geopark.

What is a Geopark?

A Geopark is single, unified geographical area where sites and landscapes of geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

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A Geopark is a journey of bonding and learning about the earth, and a place to enjoy geotourism. It is a place where you can take a close look at mountains and rivers, learn about how they were formed, and think about their links to the ecosystem and human life. A Geopark is where you think about earth as a whole, from the ground at your feet to the boulders, and all the way into space; from billions of years into the past all the way into the future; and about the mountains, rivers, oceans, the atmosphere, and the organisms that live within it.