Press Release

June 30, 2023
  • Water & Soil

Results of the 4th Japan-China Experts Dialogue Platform Meeting on Marine Debris Cooperation and the 4th Japan-China Marine Debris Workshop

On June 27, 2023, the 4th Japan-China Experts Dialogue Platform Meeting on Marine Debris Cooperation and the 4th Japan-China Marine Debris Workshop were held. The Ministry of the Environment, Japan, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, and experts including from universities, research institutions, and local governments in both countries participated in the meeting. Discussions were held concerning marine debris, particularly research on distribution characteristics, future predictions, using digital technologies in understanding actual situation, and case studies and initiatives of public-private collaboration in measures against pollution. As a result of the discussions, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation in the area of marine debris.
Summary
 1. Date and Time: June 27, 2023 (Tuesday) 14:00-18:30
 2. Venue: Japan, the People's Republic of China (Web conference)
 3. Hosts: Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China
 4. Participants:
     Japanese Side: Ministry of the Environment, universities, research institutions, public-interest cooperations, local governments
     Chinese Side: Ministry of Ecology and Environment, universities, research institutions, local governments
 5. Achievements
     (1) Both countries presented and exchanged views on the effectiveness, challenges, and possibilities of the monitoring methods, future predictions, and research on remote sensing technologies, image analysis and digital technologies for understanding the actual situation of marine plastic debris in each country.
     (2) Discussions on domestic policies, organizational structures, the status of public-private collaboration, and case studies of local governments’ efforts for measures against marine debris in both countries were conducted, which helped both countries to gain a deeper understanding.
     (3) Both countries recognized the value of exchanging views on measures against marine debris pollution and agreed to continue cooperation in the future.
     (4) It was proposed and recognized that the 5th meeting would be hosted by China in about the first half of 2024. The details are to be decided after further consideration.

Contact

Director
Kotaro FUJII
Deputy Director
Noriko TAMIYA-HASE
Researcher
Fumiaki OKAHARA
Officer
Kazuki MIYAZAKI