Some geographic locations are designated more than once, e.g., as both a National Park (a national designation) and a World Heritage Site (an international designation). In the WDPA, these designations are counted as separate protected areas, meaning this number might appear higher than expected.Number of national designations only=
6887
5With management effectiveness evaluations
Terrestrial and Inland Waters Protected Areas
Marine and Coastal Protected Areas
Other effective area-based conservation measures
282
Total Other effective area-based conservation measures
Some geographic locations are designated more than once, e.g., as both a Watershed Management Area (a national designation) and a World Heritage Site (an international designation). In the WD-OECM, these designations are counted as separate OECMs, meaning this number might appear higher than expected.Number of national designations only=
282
Polygons/Points ratio
Polygons 99%
Points 1%
citation
UNEP-WCMC (2026). Protected Area Profile for Japan from the World Database on Protected Areas, June 2026. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net