Thinking About the Future of the "Phantom Flower" Lady's Slipper Orchid, Endangered by Poaching, Damage by Wildlife, and Climate Change: Fujimi Town to Host First National Summit

The Fujimi Town Lady's Slipper Orchid Regeneration Conference (Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture, Chairman: Hiroshi Nakayama) will hold the "All Japan Lady's Slipper Orchid Summit" for the first time in Fujimi Town from Saturday, June 20th to Sunday, June 28th, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of conservation and regeneration activities for the endangered Lady's Slipper Orchid. During the period, there will be an exhibition introducing the charm of the Lady's Slipper Orchid and 20 years of conservation activities, as well as lectures and panel discussions by leading researchers, disseminating information on the forefront of conservation and future prospects. Anyone interested in plants and the natural environment can participate. Endangered Lady's Slipper Orchid Background of the Event The Lady's Slipper Orchid, a perennial herb of the orchid family, is characterized by its deep reddish-purple petals that swell into a pouch-like shape. It is a rare plant classified as "Endangered II (VU)" on the Ministry of the Environment's Red List due to its decline caused by poaching, damage by wild animals, and climate change. The Nagano Prefecture Red Data Book reports that only 3 out of 614 grid squares in the prefecture have confirmed habitats, indicating an extremely serious situation. Fujimi Town is the only area in Nagano Prefecture where the endemic species "Kamanashi Hotei Atsumorisou" is confirmed to grow wild. For 20 years, conservation activities have been continuously carried out in collaboration with the government, research institutions, and local residents. In the future, it is necessary to further strengthen cooperation with Rebun Town in Hokkaido and Sumita Town in Iwate Prefecture, which are advanced regions in Lady's Slipper Orchid conservation, and to build a sustainable conservation system on a national scale. A colony of Lady's Slipper Orchids at the summit venue, Fujimi Panorama Resort (1) Ministry of the Environment Red List "Lady's Slipper Orchid" https://ikilog.biodic.go.jp/rl_rdb/c/1262.html (2) Nagano Prefecture Red Data Book "Lady's Slipper Orchid" https://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/shizenhogo/kurashi/shizen/hogo/kisyoyasei/jorei/documents/atumorisou_1.pdf Event Overview 【All Japan Lady's Slipper Orchid Summit】 Introducing the 20-year journey of conservation and regeneration activities through panel exhibits, video screenings, and talk sessions. Period: Saturday, June 20, 2026 - Sunday, June 28, 2026 Venue: Fujimi Panorama Resort Content: Learn about activities connecting rare plants to the future through initiatives such as seedling cultivation and habitat conservation, and examples of conservation activities nationwide. In addition to a botanical art exhibition by members of the Japan Botanical Artists Association, talk sessions such as "Field Exploration Records" will also be held. Recommended not only for those interested in plants and the natural environment, but also for tourists visiting the Mt. Nyukasa and Mt. Yatsugatake areas, wildflower enthusiasts, and for nature learning with children. Fujimi Panorama Resort: Gondola with a view of Mt. Yatsugatake 【2nd Lady's Slipper Orchid Conservation and Regeneration Future Conference】 A two-day program where national researchers, conservation stakeholders, and government officials gather to consider the conservation and regeneration of the Lady's Slipper Orchid. The general public can also participate and learn about the latest research findings and practical examples of conservation activities. ■ Thursday, June 25th Fujimi Town Community Plaza 【3-Town Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony】 (For media) Time: 10:30 - 11:00 Content: Fujimi Town, Rebun Town, and Sumita Town will sign a cooperation agreement for the conservation and regeneration of the Lady's Slipper Orchid. 【Future Conference】 (Free participation, pre-registration required) Time: 11:15 - 12:00 Introduction to conservation activities by the 3 towns 13:00 - 15:00 Panel Discussion "Challenges in Protection, Conservation, and Regeneration of Lady's Slipper Orchid Habitats and Strategies for a Sustainable Future" Content: Practical examples from the three towns working on Lady's Slipper Orchid conservation will be shared, and national researchers and government officials will discuss future conservation systems and the future of rare plant protection in the era of climate change. Researchers and experts from institutions such as the National Museum of Nature and Science, the University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, and Chiba University are scheduled to participate. Capacity: First 50 participants for both morning and afternoon sessions (Application form: https://logoform.jp/f/FxU6Z) ■ Friday, June 26th Fujimi Panorama Resort (Base area restaurant Orion) 【Academic Lecture Series】 (Free participation, pre-registration required) Time: 9:00 - 12:00 Content: Researchers active at the forefront of various fields such as plant taxonomy, conservation ecology, and forest management will give lectures on the ecology of the Lady's Slipper Orchid and the latest in conservation. This content is recommended for those involved in nature conservation activities, wildflower enthusiasts, and those interested in biodiversity. Speakers: - Mr. Ikko Miyoshi (Chiba University) - Mr. Tomohisa Yuhara (Tsukuba Botanical Garden, National Museum of Nature and Science) - Mr. Takayuki Kawahara (Japan Forest Technology Association) - Mr. Yoshihisa Touyama (Tohoku University) - Mr. Kento Ran-ko (The University of Tokyo) - Ms. Hanako Shimura (Hokkaido University) Capacity: First 50 participants (Application form: https://logoform.jp/f/FxU6Z) Cultivated seedlings from conservation activities in natural habitats About the Fujimi Town Lady's Slipper Orchid Regeneration Conference Established in 2006, this conference, with Fujimi Town as its secretariat, promotes the conservation and regeneration of the Lady's Slipper Orchid. It has continued for 20 years, collaborating with the Ministry of the Environment, Nagano Prefecture, universities, companies, and local residents on habitat protection, prevention of poaching, monitoring surveys, and public awareness. In recent years, it has been working with Rebun Town and Sumita Town to build a nationwide conservation network. Organizers, Co-organizers, and Supporters Organizers: Fujimi Town Lady's Slipper Orchid Regeneration Conference, Fujimi Town Co-organizer: Fujimi Panorama Resort Supporters: Ministry of the Environment Shinetsu Regional Environmental Office, Nagano Prefecture Nagano Prefecture Regional Revitalization Support Project Fujimi Town Lady's Slipper Orchid Regeneration Conference (Fujimi Town Construction Department, Environmental Section) TEL: 0266-62-9114 MAIL: kensetsu@town.fujimi.lg.jp