Press Release
October 17, 2025
- Water & Soil
International Workshop : Utilization of Monitoring Data and Database Related to Marine Plastic Pollution
The Ministry of the Environment, Japan will convene online the international workshop entitled “Utilization of monitoring data and database related to marine plastic pollution” on November 17, 2025. This workshop will discuss the current status of marine plastic litter monitoring activities and data collection with database, and how to utilize monitoring data for various research on understanding of plastic pollution and policy making.
This workshop will feature presentations from researchers and experts from international institutions who conduct surveys and monitoring of microplastics on the ocean surface, in the water column and in sediments; conduct research on long-term variability using monitoring data; and utilize monitoring database to policy making.
This workshop will feature presentations from researchers and experts from international institutions who conduct surveys and monitoring of microplastics on the ocean surface, in the water column and in sediments; conduct research on long-term variability using monitoring data; and utilize monitoring database to policy making.
■ Background and objective
Marine litter, including plastic, is a global challenge. Microplastics pollution of the marine environment is recognized as a serious international issue; therefore, determining the current distribution and quantity of ocean microplastics is an urgent task. This is important for policy making and implementation based on concrete scientific knowledge. Microplastics monitoring is performed by many institutions worldwide using various methods. However, different sampling and analytical methods are used depending on the purpose of the survey in each country and research institution.
To address the situation, in May 2019, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan published the first version of the "Guidelines for Harmonizing Ocean Surface Microplastic Monitoring Methods", based on comparison studies of sampling and analysis methods through demonstration projects and discussions at an international expert meeting.
By applying these guidelines, the comparability of monitoring data on ocean surface microplastics can be improved. However, global monitoring data has not yet been compiled in a comparable manner. Also, research on the distribution of microplastics in the water column and sediments, as well as on the ocean surface, has been progressing, and there is a need to promote the sharing and understanding of real situation of the pollution.
Given this background, MOE Japan will convene online the international workshop entitled “Utilization of monitoring data and database related to marine plastic pollution”. This workshop will discuss the current status of marine plastic litter monitoring activities and data collection with database, and how to utilize monitoring data for various research on understanding of plastic pollution and policy making.
This workshop will feature presentations from researchers and experts from international institutions who conduct surveys and monitoring of microplastics on the ocean surface, in the water column and in sediments; conduct research on long-term variability using monitoring data; and utilize monitoring database to policy making.
To address the situation, in May 2019, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan published the first version of the "Guidelines for Harmonizing Ocean Surface Microplastic Monitoring Methods", based on comparison studies of sampling and analysis methods through demonstration projects and discussions at an international expert meeting.
By applying these guidelines, the comparability of monitoring data on ocean surface microplastics can be improved. However, global monitoring data has not yet been compiled in a comparable manner. Also, research on the distribution of microplastics in the water column and sediments, as well as on the ocean surface, has been progressing, and there is a need to promote the sharing and understanding of real situation of the pollution.
Given this background, MOE Japan will convene online the international workshop entitled “Utilization of monitoring data and database related to marine plastic pollution”. This workshop will discuss the current status of marine plastic litter monitoring activities and data collection with database, and how to utilize monitoring data for various research on understanding of plastic pollution and policy making.
This workshop will feature presentations from researchers and experts from international institutions who conduct surveys and monitoring of microplastics on the ocean surface, in the water column and in sediments; conduct research on long-term variability using monitoring data; and utilize monitoring database to policy making.
■ Information on the Workshop
This workshop will be held online. The materials will be uploaded on the website of the MOE Japan below once prepared.
https://www.env.go.jp/page_00041.html
(1) Time and format
Date: November 17, 2025
Time: 18:00-20:10 (JST)
Meeting style: Virtual meeting (Zoom webinar)
Organizer: Ministry of the Environment, Japan
Capacity: 500 persons (first come first served)
Language: English only
(2) Program (TBC)
(3) Registration
① How to register
Online registration is required prior to the meeting.
Please fill in your name, organization, email address, title, and country in the application form below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xBFswcmPSBuitIx6RnCs7g
② Registration Deadline
12:00 on November 17 (JST)
* The application will close when the capacity of participants is reached.
(4) Contact address
Workshop secretariat: IDEA Consultants, Inc. Japan.
Email: m-plastic-2025@ideacon.co.jp
https://www.env.go.jp/page_00041.html
(1) Time and format
Date: November 17, 2025
Time: 18:00-20:10 (JST)
Meeting style: Virtual meeting (Zoom webinar)
Organizer: Ministry of the Environment, Japan
Capacity: 500 persons (first come first served)
Language: English only
(2) Program (TBC)
(3) Registration
① How to register
Online registration is required prior to the meeting.
Please fill in your name, organization, email address, title, and country in the application form below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xBFswcmPSBuitIx6RnCs7g
② Registration Deadline
12:00 on November 17 (JST)
* The application will close when the capacity of participants is reached.
(4) Contact address
Workshop secretariat: IDEA Consultants, Inc. Japan.
Email: m-plastic-2025@ideacon.co.jp