Press Release

August 05, 2022
  • Water & Soil

MOE Japan Selects Local Governments Implementing FY2022 Local Blue Ocean Vision Project

Aiming at further promotion of efforts for collecting and reducing marine litter in Japan, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, supports local governments that collaborate with local private entities to implement model projects under the "Local Blue Ocean Vision" so that these efforts will be highly effective and sustainable.
 
A total of seven local governments were selected through the first and second rounds of solicitation.
 
To promote advanced initiatives to be conducted through collaboration between the selected local governments and companies, MOE Japan will provide support such as formulating business plans, building organizational structures for collaboration, and verifying the effects and challenges, through dispatching experts, etc.

Overview of the Local Blue Ocean Vision program

MOE Japan, with a view to further promoting efforts for collecting and reducing marine litter, supports local governments that collaborate with private entities to implement model projects so as to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of these efforts. In the future, MOE Japan intends to disseminate these efforts nationwide based on the results and knowledge obtained by these model projects.

(1) Purpose and background

Policy measures against marine litter, including collection and disposal, have been promoted based on the Act on Promoting the Treatment of Marine Debris Affecting the Conservation of Good Coastal Landscapes and Environments as well as Marine Environments to Protect Natural Beauty and Variety (Act No. 82, 2009). In order to further promote the implementation of various measures, it is important to utilize companies' advanced and innovative technologies. MOE Japan will support the measures against marine litter in cooperation with local governments and the private sector.

(2) Project overview

MOE Japan supports the collaborative efforts of local governments and the private sector for measures against marine litter, including formulating a business plan, building an organizational structure for collaboration, and verifying the effect and challenges, by way of dispatching well-versed experts and providing funds up to a total of 1.5 million yen per project.

(3) Selected local governments

- Osaka Prefecture
- Hiroshima Prefecture
- Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
- Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture
- Okayama Prefecture
- Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
- Shimamaki Village, Shimamaki County, Hokkaido Prefecture