Sustainable Japan by the Japan Times
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Monday, January 18, 2021 | The Japan Times | 5 ESG promotional content produced by The Japan Times Cube sustainable japan Sailors for the Sea Japan charts conservation course assessed in Japan are currently regarded the government] was to feed people,” she Roundtable abundant. explained. “The government needed to JOE MUNTAL Following his remark, David took out a focus on quantity. Then it moved on to CONTRIBUTING WRITER card showcasing Seafood Watch — a well safety and later quality. Now sustainability, known program founded and operated by the fourth stage, is coming. These changes Not far from Japan’s busiest international Monterey Bay Aquarium — from his wallet involve a lot of people at fisheries, and the airport, Narita, is the temple Naritasan Shin- and showed it to Iue., who had established fishing industry must shoji. On a fateful day in 2012, Minako Iue the affiliate group Sailors for the Sea Japan change all sorts of sys- visited this temple with two high-profile in 2011 “That was a moment of truth for us,” tems. People’s minds guests — David Rockefeller Jr. and Susan she recalled during a Roundtable talk event also need to change.” Rockefeller, both active environmentalists by The Japan Times on Nov. 25, hosted by The passage of this — whom had she befriended during a visit Ross Rowbury. Iue turned to David and new law marks a sig- to New York a few years earlier. Susan and said, “Let’s do that in Japan.” nificant shift toward Although it isn’t situated near a body of Iue describes the mission of Sailors for the sustainable fishing, but water, the temple complex features repli- Sea Japan as to “increase awareness and give Iue says there is still a lot of work ahead. cas and engravings of fish. Admiring these opportunities to learn about the protection She points to the fact that, despite being representations of marine wildlife, David of marine resources so we can pass on this surrounded by water, Japan doesn’t have — who founded the ocean conservation beautiful planet to the next generation.” The a comprehensive government body that organization Sailors for the Sea in 2004 — effects of overfishing and marine habitat looks after the oceans, such as NOAA in the commented on the unfortunate lack of damage are largely invisible to ordinary peo- U.S. Instead, certain maritime activities are awareness in Japan regarding the dangers of ple, as they manifest deep in the ocean. This delegated across a wide group of govern- the depletion of fish stocks. is why it is important to promote awareness ment bodies and agencies, including the This lack of awareness is striking for a of sustainable fishing efforts among govern- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport nation that accounts for only 2 percent of ment agencies and consumers before it is and Tourism; the Fisheries Agency; and the the world’s population yet is the world’s too late, she said. Ministry of the Environment. As she works third-largest consumer of seafood. The dire with these various stakeholders, Iue finds circumstances of the supply of fish in Japa- Guides to ‘blue seafood’ herself “island-hopping” from institution nese waters are even more striking. Accord- Iue initiated the publication of the group’s to institution during her frequent visits to ing to Iue, due to overfishing and damage to Blue Seafood Guides the following year, Roundtable host Ross Rowbury and Minako Iue before the roundtable HIROMICHI MATONO Kasumigaseki, the district of Tokyo where marine habitats, around 20 percent of stocks and they are now central to its efforts. The most of Japan’s Cabinet ministry offices are guides include national and regional editions The sense of value of the consumers is the damage the ecosystem. Iue noted that ade- menting the first revisions to the Fisheries located. listing seafood varieties that are managed most important thing, which is why we’re quate precautions are required. Act in 70 years. The revision include regula- Iue hopes Japan will one day establish sustainably. Also there is a list of collaborat- trying to raise awareness of sustainable sea- “Effective management” refers to whether tions for managed fisheries, for example, to its own comprehensive ministry for the ing members such as hotels and restaurants food and how to sustain the ocean and the there are management policies that produce increase the number of species subject to oceans. She noted that Prime Minister committed to serving sustainably procured planet.” real effects. Iue observed that some fishers resource assessment from 50 to 200. Four Yoshihide Suga has already set into motion fish. Iue hopes to make “blue seafood” a in international waters come from impover- days later, the Diet passed further legislation plans to launch a national digital agency, common term among consumers, empow- Assessing three criteria ished countries and there is a fear of forced to combat IUU fishing through catch docu- which will be useful in aggregating data for ering them with the information needed to Sustainable fisheries are assessed according labor, which is called “modern slavery.” In mentation schemes — a system of ensuring the fishing industry. Alluding to the need make choices that contribute to conserva- to three principles based on the U.N. Food order for a variety of fish to be deemed sus- that fish entering the market are consistent for another agency dedicated to the oceans, tion efforts. and Agriculture Organization’s Code of Con- tainable, the fishers harvesting it must be with conservation and management mea- she remarked, “The second one is waiting.” She noted that although government pol- duct for Responsible Fisheries: sustainable working in a safe, fair environment, so that sures — as well as import control rules. The icy is an important part of ensuring sustain- fish stocks; minimal environmental impact; not only the stock, but also the fishermen’s words “and ensure sustainable use of marine Roundtable is a monthly able fishing, it is consumers who have the and effective management. Fish stocks must lives and the fishery, can be sustainable. resources” were also added to the purpose series of English-language most leverage. “The government and admin- be at a sustainable level with a scientifically A major hindrance to the realization of of the law. events organized by The Sailors for the Sea Japan Chair and CEO istrative people have the key,” she said, “but proven sufficient reproductive capacity. sustainable fishing is the prevalence of illegal, Japan Times Cube. For more Minako Iue established the group in 2011 as an the most important decision-makers are Some bottom trawling methods are not unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Japan’s fourth stage of fishing information visit https://sus- affiliate of the ocean conservation NGO the consumers. They are the ones who buy recommended as they can destroy corals This past Dec. 1, Japan took a monumental “When the old Fisheries Act was estab- tainable.japantimes.com/ Sailors for the Sea. HIROMICHI MATONO and decide what and what not to consume. and other seabed habitats. Bycatch may also step toward sustainable fisheries by imple- lished, it was an era when the priority [of roundtable With oceans facing increasing Fukuyama Castle, the only one risks, no nation is an island built with iron plates in Japan ESG / SDGs Satoyama~Authentic JACOB REED Japan CONTRIBUTING WRITER The venerable Fukuyama Castle is getting Among global environmental issues, the a grand renewal ahead of its 400th anni- sustainable use of the seas is of paramount versary, restoring the history-scarred land- importance. About 2.4 billion people, 40 per- mark to its Edo Period appearance. cent of the planet’s population, live within One of Japan’s top 100 castles, it was built 100 km of the ocean, and it can easily be by one of the first Tokugawa hereditary argued that everyone relies on the ocean in vassals, Mizuno Katsunari, in 1622 in a new some way, whether for sustenance, shipping castle town that now is the city of Fuku- or employment. yama in Hiroshima Prefecture. The castle Fukuyama Castle, built in 1622, is conveniently close to a shinkansen station CITY OF FUKUYAMA These observations were further empha- was a base for the daimyo’s demain, Fuku- sized at an open webinar on Dec. 2 to launch yama-han, and is famed for having iron how to guard against invasion. Although be engraved on one of the kawara roof tiles the policy recommendations by the High Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga addresses the webinar on Dec. 3. SASAKAWA PEACE plates on the north side to protect against Fukuyama-han is known for its strength of the castle. Those who donate ¥40,000 or Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Econ- FOUNDATION bullets and bombs. Under the leadership and long history, the castle also shows more will get their name in calligraphy on omy, hosted in Tokyo. This 14-country panel of one of the strongest warriors in Japanese how the domain’s numerous enemies a plate to be exhibited on the top floor. of heads of states and governments includes Furthermore, marine biodiversity is dwin- and businesses must also act on the issues. history, the castle anchored Fukuyama-han made defense so important that the build- The renovation is planned to be finished ocean states like Japan and Norway and dling due to unsustainable ocean use and In particular, it is vital now for individuals in becoming a powerful feudal domain that ers went to the then-sensational length of in 2022, the year Fukuyama Castle will small island countries like Palau and Fiji. plastic pollution. To combat this, the panel to reconsider consumption of single-use lasted for 2½ centuries.