The Japanese scops owl (Otus semitorques) is an owl which is a resident breeder in Japan. It is also found in China, Korea and Russia.This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains over 90% of owl species. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.It is very similar to the slightly smaller collared scops owl, O. bakkamoena of which it is sometimes considered a race.It nests in tree holes.