Prosecutors in Naha, Okinawa have indicted four Chinese nationals for violating Japan’s Species Conservation Act after allegedly capturing a large number of endangered turtles native to the Ryukyu Islands. The indictment was filed on November 14.
According to the prosecutors, three of the suspects — a 32-year-old woman and two men aged 38 and 26 — captured a total of 70 Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtles (an endangered species protected under Japanese law) somewhere in Okinawa between September 4 and September 16.
The same group, including an additional 23-year-old male suspect, is accused of capturing another 37 of the same species on Kume Island between September 29 and October 3.
Additionally, the 26-year-old male suspect is charged with capturing 35 Yaeyama hinged turtles, a nationally designated natural monument, in Taketomi Town between October 10 and 13. He allegedly kept them in a vehicle, thereby altering their protected status.
by Few_Palpitation6373