Kyukamura hotel staff faces the dilemma

The rabbit who was motionless one afternoon was found dead next morning after being attacked by crow

5/14/26

Criticism of the situation of the rabbits on Okunoshima Island often focuses on the Ministry of the Environment, which manages the island; Takehara City, where the island is located; and Kyukamura, a hotel that operates facilities on the island.

Personally, I believe it's true that each of these entities bears some responsibility for the rabbits. Takehara City and Kyukamura, in particular, must be profiting from the money spent by tourists who visit specifically to see the rabbits. This is why they are criticized for not giving anything back to the community.

Very recently, I received an email from a former Kyukamura employee. The email described the dilemma and painful feelings they experienced at the time.

They lived and worked on the island, seeing the rabbits every day.

They likely had more opportunities than anyone else to see injured or sick rabbits.

They were prohibited from feeding the rabbits by the Ministry of the Environment, and were unable to take injured or sick rabbits to the vet. Even if they could, it was limited to taking injured rabbits to their rooms in the dormitory to check on them.

With what feelings, one wonders, did the staff members receive the directive from the Ministry of the Environment stating: "Since these are wild rabbits—and were raised in the wild—do not interfere with them in any way"? Had they dared to make any move to help the rabbits, they would likely have been fired.

The email read as follows:

"Whenever I had a day off, I would leave the island to buy food pellets and vegetables for the rabbits; then, taking care not to get caught, I would pack them into a pet carrier and bring them back with me.

During the day—or after dusk had fallen—I would stuff the food into my backpack and go around the island, feeding them."

Upon hearing the words, "I wanted to care for them openly," I realized that the staff at Kyukamura were, in their own way, victims as well.

I can only take my hat off to this former employee who—despite having to worry about prying eyes—continued to care for the rabbits out of genuine concern for their well-being.

When will true salvation come for the rabbits?　I find myself constantly questioning myself.