Species information
Scientific name: Geoemyda japonica
Japanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメ
Chinese name: 琉球地龜、琉球黑胸葉龜
English name: Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle
Origin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima
Ecology and description
Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle’s close relative is the turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) found in China and Vietnam, which was originally considered a subspecies until it was recognized as a separate species in 1992. The beautiful Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle is often targeted by poachers. Although it was designated as a CITES species after 2013, preventing commercial export, poaching incidents are still occasionally reported. Additionally, Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle in the wild has seen rapid population decline in recent years due to habitat destruction, poisoning from pesticides, falling into roadside drainage, predation by feral cats and dogs, and roadkill.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Due to poaching leading to a sharp decline in population, sightings of this species are rare.
Related News
2019/5/8Japanese Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Smuggling Turtles in Hong KongPoachingOkinawa Island (other)
In October 2018, Naoki Hiraguchi, a 43-year-old Japanese man, was caught smuggling 60 Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtles, a Japanese natural monument, into Hong Kong. He was sentenced to one year in prison by a Hong Kong court for violating endangered species protection laws. The defense claimed it was for a friend's pet purpose, but the judge deemed it malicious with commercial intent. The turtles, native to Okinawa Island, Kumejima, and Tokashikijima, are rare and endangered, protected under the Washington Convention since 2013. One turtle died naturally during protection in Hong Kong, but 59 were returned to Japan in March.
Source：香港でのビジネス進出や会社運営サポートは香港BS ↗
2026/7/2468 Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtles Return to Forest After Being Rescued from Chinese Poaching Group in OkinawaPoachingYambaru
In Kunigami, Okinawa, 68 Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtles rescued from a Chinese poaching group last October were returned to the forest on July 23. The turtles were microchipped by the Ministry of the Environment and the Okinawa Turtle Center for future tracking. The Ministry's official, Yoshihiro Takahashi, emphasized creating a community atmosphere that does not tolerate poaching. Despite legal protection, these turtles are in high demand as pets overseas due to their rarity.
Source：琉球新報デジタル ↗｜okinawatimes.co.jp ↗｜Yahoo!ニュース ↗
2025/10/25Four Chinese Nationals Suspected of Poaching in Yambaru Forest and Islands, Smuggling Endangered Turtles Disguised as Biscuits
Four Chinese nationals were arrested for poaching endangered species in Okinawa's Yambaru forest and islands, attempting to smuggle them to Hong Kong. They captured 107 Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtles, 2 Yamashina's ground geckos, and 1 Holst's frog. This is Japan's first case of turtle smuggling discovered through mail inspection. Okinawa Customs has charged three individuals.
Source：産経ニュース ↗
2025/10/24Suspected capture of endangered turtles, over 100 caught in Okinawa, Hong Kong woman and others arrested
On October 24, Okinawa police re-arrested four individuals, including a 32-year-old Hong Kong woman named Lin Su Yi, on suspicion of violating species preservation laws by capturing endangered Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtles. Between September 4 and October 3, they allegedly caught 107 turtles, 2 Yamashina's ground geckos, and 1 Holst's frog in Kunigami and Kumejima. Three of the suspects deny the charges, while one remains silent. Okinawa Customs has charged three of them with customs law violations, which have been accepted by the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office.
Source：Yahoo!ニュース ↗
2019/11/664 Rare Turtles, Including Okinawa Black-Breasted Leaf Turtles, Stolen!PoachingOkinawa Island (other)
In Okinawa City, 15 Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtles and 49 Yaeyama yellow-margined box turtles were stolen from a zoo. These species are protected by law due to their limited habitat in Okinawa Islands, but illegal trade persists. In 2018, 60 Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtles were seized in Hong Kong. In 2019, a task force was established to combat poaching and smuggling in Okinawa and Kagoshima.
Source：WWFジャパン ↗