JEAN News and Schedule for 2010

JEAN News and Schedule for 2010

 

1. The New Law Regarding Marine Litter Disposal and its Effect to NGOs/NPOs

 In Japan, as one of measures to marine litter problem, “Law for the promotion of marine litter disposal” has enacted on July 15, 2009.  This was the result of efforts gathered from many parties concerned, including JEAN being enthusiastically lobbied for relevant government offices.

The law allocates budgets to prefecture governments from the established fund which enables local governments to start active projects for collection and related programs of marine litter on coasts of Japan.  On the other hand, cooperation with and financial support for civic groups, which are stated in the law, have not yet realized.  The official support, in monetary means, is definitely needed for citizen sectors, in order to solve this serious problem.  In addition, the budget of the fund is limited for the three years from 2009 and the future continuation of financial support even to prefecture governments is uncertain.

 

 

2. Twentieth Year of ICC in Japan

International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) in Japan turns out to be the 20th year since it started in 1990 this year.  JEAN will put our effort for recruiting new site captains and participants to full and expanded action to end the problem.

 

 

3. Taking Part of a Research Project with Academics

JEAN will take part of a research, working together with researchers of Ehime University and other institutes from this year.  In the project, we are planning to operate “Science Café,” which is an enlightenment program for the problem of marine litter, and start sampling for chemical pollutant investigation.

 

 

4. Starting as a 'General Incorporated Association JEAN'

 

For the purpose of further substantiating our activity and strengthening networking effort for solving the problem of marine litter, JEAN has made a new start as a registered general incorporated association from this year, 2010. Our official
title in Japanese is the "General Incorporated Association JEAN", but in English, we simply appear as "Japan Environmental Action Network (JEAN)".

 

from JEAN