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Change for the Blue, a project of comprehensive measures for dealing with marine litter

Change for the Blue is a project through which the Nippon Foundation collaborates with various stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and the private sector to forge models for eliminating marine litter and share them within Japan and overseas for the purpose of promoting a movement to raise awareness across society of the need to stop adding more waste to the ocean. Among the initiatives being carried out is the UMIGOMI Zero Award, which is being run in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, and the University of Tokyo FSI – Nippon Foundation Research Project on Marine Plastics.

UMIGOMI Zero Award

Reference: UMIGOMI Zero Award
(https://uminohi.jp/umigomizero_award2020/)

For the UMIGOMI Zero Award, outstanding initiatives in connection with measures for dealing with marine litter are accepted and selected from across Japan and disseminated to the world as Japanese model case studies.
This award is divided into two divisions for the submission of initiatives: an Action Division for practical activities and awareness-raising initiatives involving effective actions that are continuously and expansively deployed and that are recognized for yielding achievements that are notable, and an Innovation Division for initiatives centered on the development of technologies and products that are recognized for being innovative and for yielding achievements that are exceptional in terms of the smooth disposal of marine litter and controls for preventing marine litter from being generated.
In fiscal year 2020, 246 submissions in the Action Division and 65 submissions in the Innovation Division were made by companies, NGOs/NPOs, local governments, schools, and others. Upon a review of the submissions, the grand prize was awarded for the Ventforet Kofu Eco-Stadium Project. This project was carried out by Ventforet Yamanashi Sports Club, Inc., which introduced reusable containers for food and drinks sold in their stadium and ushered in a deposit system to get visitors to participate in this project on a proactive basis. Awards were given for three other submissions in each division (two divisions) and one special jury prize was also conferred.

Research Project on Marine Plastics

The University of Tokyo’s Future Society Initiative (FSI) and The Nippon Foundation have established the Research Project on Marine Plastics and will engage in research and disseminate information on measures for dealing with plastic waste in the ocean in collaboration with domestic and overseas research institutes for a period of three years beginning in 2019.
When thinking about the issue of plastic waste in the ocean, it is important to enhance scientific knowledge and grasp issues in accordance with a reliable scientific foundation. To this end, partnerships with various universities and research institutes have been formed, with the University of Tokyo taking the lead in this respect. Surveys and research activities are being carried out for such purposes as the ascertainment of actual conditions concerning marine microplastics, the assessment of the ecological impact of microplastics, and the conducting of comprehensive research on measures to eradicate plastic waste.
In addition, members of this project have held meetings and symposiums to encourage dialogue among researchers and experts in Japan and overseas, participated in international research conventions hosted by UN bodies and other organizations, and helped develop capacity and engage in outreach activities for people in Asia.