Press Release
July 31, 2025
- Water & Soil
Results of the 6th Japan-China Experts Dialogue Platform Meeting on Marine Debris Cooperation and the 6th Japan-China Marine Debris Workshop
On July 1, 2025, the 6th Japan-China Experts Dialogue Platform Meeting on Marine Debris Cooperation and the 6th Japan-China Marine Debris Workshop were held. The Ministry of the Environment of Japan, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, and experts including from universities, research institutions, local governments, public-interest organizations, private companies in both countries participated in the meeting. Discussions were held on topics such as source, pathway and distribution of plastics into the environment, innovative method and technology for more effective and efficient marine debris monitoring, national and local governments’ measures against marine debris, and stakeholder’s engagement on awareness raising and education. As a result of the discussions, both sides agreed to continue cooperation in the area of marine debris.
■ Summary
1. Date and Time: 10:00~17:15, July 1, 2025
2. Venue: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
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, local governments
Chinese Side: Ministry of Ecology and Environment, universities, research institutions, public-interest organizations, private companies
5. Achievements
(1) Regarding the source, pathway and distribution of plastics in the environment, both sides presented and exchanged views about research on understanding the actual situation of litter, including plastics, in rivers and oceans. Both sides shared the view that most marine litter flows out from land areas via rivers, that most marine litter is plastic, and that marine litter including plastic pollution represents a serious environmental problem at a global scale. In addition to recognizing the importance of monitoring marine litter, participants discussed how to understand the actual situation of marine litter using remote sensing technology such as drones, fixed cameras and satellites, as well as AI-based image analysis technology, in addition to manual monitoring methods using sampling nets.
(2) Both sides exchanged views and deepened mutual understanding on measures against marine debris in both countries, including legal frameworks and national plans, as well as examples of marine litter monitoring and various local initiatives. For example, the example of local initiative to reduce the leakage of plastic litter into the ocean to zero across the entire life cycle of plastic products, and the example of local communities and companies working together to collect, sort, and recycle marine plastic litter using data and technology were shared.
(3) On the topic of stakeholder’s engagement on awareness raising and education, in addition to exhibits, experiences and courses at the public awareness facilities, public awareness and education initiatives using videos and virtual reality (VR) were introduced. Participants also shared the view that there is a lot of citizen participation in cleanup activities in both countries, and discussed public awareness and countermeasures in areas where the problem of marine litter is relatively unfamiliar, such as inland areas.
(4) After the closure of the meeting, participants from both sides visited companies that collect and recycle plastic containers and packaging, a recycling facility for plastic fishing gear, and a waste management facility in Hiroshima Prefecture, and actively exchanged views.
(5) Both countries recognized the value of exchanging views on measures against marine debris pollution and agreed to continue cooperation in the future.
(6) It was proposed and recognized that the 7th meeting would be hosted by China in 2026. The details are to be decided after further consideration.
2. Venue: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
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, local governments
Chinese Side: Ministry of Ecology and Environment, universities, research institutions, public-interest organizations, private companies
5. Achievements
(1) Regarding the source, pathway and distribution of plastics in the environment, both sides presented and exchanged views about research on understanding the actual situation of litter, including plastics, in rivers and oceans. Both sides shared the view that most marine litter flows out from land areas via rivers, that most marine litter is plastic, and that marine litter including plastic pollution represents a serious environmental problem at a global scale. In addition to recognizing the importance of monitoring marine litter, participants discussed how to understand the actual situation of marine litter using remote sensing technology such as drones, fixed cameras and satellites, as well as AI-based image analysis technology, in addition to manual monitoring methods using sampling nets.
(2) Both sides exchanged views and deepened mutual understanding on measures against marine debris in both countries, including legal frameworks and national plans, as well as examples of marine litter monitoring and various local initiatives. For example, the example of local initiative to reduce the leakage of plastic litter into the ocean to zero across the entire life cycle of plastic products, and the example of local communities and companies working together to collect, sort, and recycle marine plastic litter using data and technology were shared.
(3) On the topic of stakeholder’s engagement on awareness raising and education, in addition to exhibits, experiences and courses at the public awareness facilities, public awareness and education initiatives using videos and virtual reality (VR) were introduced. Participants also shared the view that there is a lot of citizen participation in cleanup activities in both countries, and discussed public awareness and countermeasures in areas where the problem of marine litter is relatively unfamiliar, such as inland areas.
(4) After the closure of the meeting, participants from both sides visited companies that collect and recycle plastic containers and packaging, a recycling facility for plastic fishing gear, and a waste management facility in Hiroshima Prefecture, and actively exchanged views.
(5) Both countries recognized the value of exchanging views on measures against marine debris pollution and agreed to continue cooperation in the future.
(6) It was proposed and recognized that the 7th meeting would be hosted by China in 2026. The details are to be decided after further consideration.