Japan seeks ¥6.7 billion to fight red-necked longhorn beetles — Anadolu Agency
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has requested 6.7 billion yen, or about $43 million, in the initial budget for the next fiscal year to eradicate red-necked longhorn beetles and protect trees from damage caused by the pest. As Anadolu Agency reports, the insects damage cherry trees, while the funds are also planned to be used to strengthen protection for plum and peach trees.
Request is 11 times larger
The requested amount is 11 times higher than the initial budget for fiscal 2026, which stood at 600 million yen. The ministry warned that further growth in the beetle population could cause damage to agriculture, make it more difficult to enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, increase the risk of trees falling, and affect ecosystems.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Support for local authorities
In July, Japan’s environment and agriculture ministries created a working group to provide local authorities with technical and financial support in response to damage recorded across the country. The red-necked longhorn beetle originates from China, the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The beetle, measuring from 2.5 to 4 centimeters in length, was first detected in Japan in 2012 and was later spotted in various parts of the country. In 2018, the species was designated an invasive alien species: it is prohibited from being bred, kept, imported, sold, or released into the wild.
