International Year of the Reef 2008


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Japan

Latest News

Contact

Keiji Nakashima -
Ministry of the Environment
Biodiversity Policy Division
Nature Conservation Bureau

Web site: http://www.iyor.jp/

Latest News

New "Japanese IYOR 2008 Mascots"

From the beginning of December 2007 to the end of January 2008, a contest for a name for the Japanese mascot and for the design of "secondary" mascots was held. 1524 suggestions were received for the name and 694 for the design of other mascots. [More]

IYOR Launched in Japan

The Ministry of the Environment held an opening event (on 9th December 2007) for International Year of the Reef 2008 (IYOR2008) to announce its launch in Japan.

The event included a speech by Ms. Ritsuko TANAKA, an actress who is also the chairwoman of an NGO working on coral reef conservation, and Mr. Tadashi YASUNAGA, director of the Sunshine International Aquarium. A panel discussion will also held including those planning various activities for IYOR, an opening call for IYOR, a presentation of the outline of IYOR and an announcement of Japan's campaign mascot for IYOR 2008.

Upcoming activities

  • To hold a public symposium on the IYOR in June of 2008.
  • To hold an International Coral Reef Marine Protected Area Network Meeting/4th ICRI East Asia Regional Workshop in November or early December 2008
  • The preparatory work has been initiated to develop a national coral reef conservation action plan. This plan is expected to be established by 2010.

Past activities

  • Four IYOR2008 working groups (Okinawa WG, Environment Education WG, Diving WG, and Scientific WG) were established and started working individually to facilitate IYOR activities at their respective fields.
  • An IYOR2008 Promotion Committee was established to lead the preparation and promotion of the IYOR2008 activities in Japan. 4 meetings of the Promotion Committee meetings were (on August 22nd, September 20th, October 25th, and November 20th 2007).
  • 21 April - 11 May 2007: IYOR 2008 exhibit at Toyota Auto Salon AMLUX
  • April 2007: A Public Symposium on “Partnership for Coral Reef Conservation towards the International Year of the Reef” was held in Tokyo to introduce about IYOR to the general public.
  • March 2007: IYOR2008 Kick-off meeting was held in Tokyo. It was attended by over 50 participants from various sectors, such as National and local Government, Diving Industry, Business, NGO, Scientific Community, Media, and Aquarium. General outline of the promotion scheme, including establishment of National Promotion Committee, was agreed.
  • February 2007: National Website for IYOR2008 was launched: http://www.iyor.jp
  • February 2007: Launch of an IYOR-Japan mailing list
  • January 2007: An IYOR Briefing session was held in Tokyo. It was attended by over 50 participants from various sectors, such as National and local Government, Diving Industry, Business, NGO, Scientific Community, Media, and Aquarium

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