RESEARCH ARTICLE
Year : 2023 | Volume
: 21 | Issue : 1 | Page : 1--16
Understanding the Market Drivers Behind the Reduced Demand for Ivory Products in Japan
Laura Thomas-Walters1, Benoit Morkel2, Takahiro KUBO3, Michael 't Sas Rolfes4, Robert J Smith6, Diogo Veríssimo5
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 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
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.
How to cite this article:
Thomas-Walters L, Morkel B, KUBO T, Rolfes MS, Smith RJ, Veríssimo D. Understanding the Market Drivers Behind the Reduced Demand for Ivory Products in Japan.Conservat Soc 2023;21:1-16
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How to cite this URL:
Thomas-Walters L, Morkel B, KUBO T, Rolfes MS, Smith RJ, Veríssimo D. Understanding the Market Drivers Behind the Reduced Demand for Ivory Products in Japan. Conservat Soc [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Mar 21 ];21:1-16
Available from: https://www.conservationandsociety.org.in//article.asp?issn=0972-4923;year=2023;volume=21;issue=1;spage=1;epage=16;aulast=Thomas-Walters;type=0 |
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