TO GO WITH STORY Japan-environment-conservation-biology, FEATURE by Harumi OZAWA
In this picture taken on October 10, 2024, "poop master" Masana Izawa shows mushrooms growing in his forest in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki Prefecture. When nature calls, Masana Izawa has followed the same routine for more than 50 years, heading out to the woods in Japan, dropping his pants and doing as bears do. "Noguso", as it is known in Japanese, requires digging a hole, a leaf or two for wiping, a bottle of water to wash up, and twigs to mark the spot. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) / TO GO WITH STORY Japan-environment-conservation-biology, FEATURE by Harumi OZAWA