Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended a ceremony on Honshu where eight crested ibises were released into the wild on Sunday. This marks the first such release on Japan's main island in more than half a century, signaling a major milestone in the bird's recovery from near-extinction.

Once common across Japan, the crested ibis population collapsed due to hunting, habitat loss, and pesticide use. By 1981, the last five wild birds were captured for a breeding program, though most died in captivity. The species was declared a 'special natural treasure' in 1952, but conservation efforts began in the late 1960s with limited success.

A breakthrough came in 1981 when Chinese conservationists discovered seven surviving birds in their country. China launched a successful breeding program and transferred birds to Japan, which pledged to send half of its young birds back. About 500 crested ibises now exist in Japan according to the environment ministry.

Each bird undergoes three months of acclimatization training before release, with health concerns sometimes preventing release. Officials report some breeding pairs have begun nesting rituals on Sado Island. The program demonstrates successful international cooperation in species preservation, transforming a conservation failure into a diplomatic achievement between the two nations.