Responding to international pressure, Rakuten banned the sale of elephant ivory and the sale of sea turtle products on its site.
One of Japan’s biggest online retailer banned the sale of ivory on it site in the light of increasing international criticism. This move by Rakuten closes major marketplace for the controversial trade.
The 1989 ban in Japan put an end to international ivory trading. The majority of ivory in Japan was imported before the ban which makes it legal.
Conservation activists have hailed Rakuten’s decision and said that it will be a “major boost” to international efforts to put an end to the trade.
“In response to growing international concern about the sale of ivory and other protected products, Rakuten changed its guidelines to reclassify ivory and sea turtle products as prohibited items on the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace, effective July 1,” Rakuten told AFP.
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