On Friday November 15, 2024, at 2:00PM., a signing ceremony for a “Partnership Agreement on the Regeneration of Eelgrass beds in the Ashikita Region” was held at the Ashikita Town Hall. The participants included 8 members of Ashikita Town Hall, 2 faculty members and 4 students of Ashikita High School, 2 members of Ashikita Town Fisheries Cooperative Association, 5 members of Kajima Corporation, 4 members of our foundation, and 5 members of the Higo Bank, Ltd. The agreement was established to build a sustainable approach to improve the marine environment through the regeneration of eelgrass and other seaweed beds through mutual collaboration, with the objectives for biodiversity conservation and climate change countermeasures.

The activities to be collaborated are as follows:
” Matters related to the regeneration of eelgrass beds and other areas
” Matters related to school education on the subject of conservation and regeneration of eelgrass beds and other areas
” Matters related to the formation of a regional virtuous circle by utilizing blue carbon credits (J Blue Credits) for regenerated eelgrass beds and other areas
” Establishment of a support system for the regeneration of eelgrass beds and enhancement of their status value by registering to the Nature Symbiosis Sites
” Matters other than those listed in the preceding paragraph that are considered necessary to achieve the objectives

The roles of each organization are as follows:
Ashikita Town Hall: Liaison and coordination with other organizations; supporting the activities of Ashikita High School
Kumamoto Prefectural Ashikita High School: Eelgrass regeneration activities; application of carbon credit
Ashikita Town Fisheries Cooperative Association: Supporting the on-site activities of Ashikita High School
Kajima Corporation: Technical support, support for carbon credit application
Higo Bank: Matching and coordination of participating companies for project support
The Foundation: Awarding for schools and other organizations, research funding, and supporting the initiatives

After taking a commemorative photo with the Ashikita High School Eelgrass Team, a representative from each organization gave a message.

We plan to continue to promote eelgrass beds regeneration and conservation by utilizing Blue Carbon Credits (J Blue Credits).