March 2013

This report, ‘What Lies Beneath’, Exposing the loopholes within Japan’s control of internal ivory trade, brings out the flaws within the Japanese Law for Conservation of Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora(LCES), its associated databases and, how smuggling syndicates have exploited it to get away from being penalized. Through a case of illegally trading of Ivory by one renowned Ivory manufacturing dealer, the report captures the intrinsic danger that such a weak law will bring in at a time of rampant illegal trade of Ivory. This report was prepared through an extensive survey and data collection process from the various ministries in Japan and also through several court hearings on the Takaichi case.