The Japanese Badger (Meles anakuma) is a medium-sized mammal native to Japan and parts of East Asia. It has a stocky body, short legs, and a distinctive facial pattern with white stripes. These badgers typically inhabit forests, grasslands, and mountainous regions, where they dig burrows for shelter. Japanese badgers are primarily nocturnal and are omnivorous, feeding on a diet that includes insects, fruits, and small animals. They play a vital role in their ecosystem by helping to control insect populations and aerate the soil through their digging activities.