Japan

The Blue Sea and Green Land Foundation (B&G) is involved in a wide range of sea and water-based activities, with the objective of improving the health of children and adults around Japan. Recently, the organization held its 3rd B&G National Summit at Sasakawa Hall in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The summit was attended by over 500 local government leaders from across the country: people who operate regional marine sports centers built for local government organizations by the foundation. The event included an address by Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa, announcements of achievements by local government organizations, and requests for cooperation in activities, such as safety campaigns to eliminate water accidents. The summit concluded with the presentation of a joint declaration.

View of proceedings at the 3rd B&G National Summit

The national summit is held once every three years to exchange views and to promote an understanding of the operations of the 480 regional marine centers. This year, following the opening address by B&G Foundation Chairman Isao Kajita, Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa spoke as well. In his speech, Sasakawa referred to the Meiji period, as described in Ryotaro Shiba’s novel “Saka no Ue no Kumo,” recounting how the people at that time worked to accept modern Western technologies, while preserving the spiritual world of ancient Japan. Our duty, he asserted, is to nurture people like those, in a day and age when most are concerned only with today or tomorrow.

B&G Foundation Chairman Isao Kajita

The address was followed by reports from three local governments, including the town of Ainan in Ehime Prefecture. The town has a population of 25,806, of which 31.6% are elderly. Its representative presented a report on revitalization through the introduction of programs to protect senior citizens from falls and to prevent them from becoming bed-ridden. Plans call for creating a tennis club and "Senior Sea Club" to encourage daily exercise and reduce problems associated with aging communities.

A presentation by Makoto Ai, director of the Gakken Educational Research Institute, which has surveyed the benefits of such programs as the Ogasawara Cruise and Okinawa Marine Seminar operated by the B&G Foundation, spoke of the high educational benefits for young participants and the contributions these activities made in nurturing the character of children during their years of development. One challenge, he added, lay in ensuring that these benefits continue to accrue even after the children return to their everyday lives.

The Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa

The joint declaration of the 3rd summit included a pledge to work together to promote sports, health, and character-building by strengthening ties between the B&G Foundation and the local regions running the marine centers, and to promote interaction with the natural environment and water safety education, through the sharing of information and expertise.