This article explores the history of Japan's national animal, the Japanese Macaque, and some of the other potential national animals of Japan, such as the Green Pheasant, Japanese Giant Salamander, Red-Crowned Crane, Sika Deer, Oriental White Stork, Iriomote Cat, Okinawa Rail, Ryukyu Flying Fox, Blakiston's Fish Owl, Amami Rabbit, Izu Islands Frog, Yakuzaru Monkey and Kamaitachi. Emperor Meiji chose the Japanese Macaque due to its symbolic ties with strength, courage loyalty wisdom friendship family honor respect perseverance hard work intelligence adaptability and resilience - qualities which still remain important today when discussing topics related towards nature conservation within Japan.