【SUMMIT REPORT】BLUE FLAG Asia Summit 2025～ Towards a Safe and Beautiful Ocean Recognized by the World ～

The Japan Blue Flag Association held “BLUE FLAG Asia Summit 2025: Towards a Safe and Beautiful Ocean Recognized by the World” over two days on September 20 and 21, 2025 (Sat and Sun), in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture. Having representatives from Japan, South Korea, and India as speakers, a total of 154 participants attended the event.

By sharing their initiatives, experiences, and discussions on key challenges for Blue Flag certification, participants exchanged ideas on sustainable coastal management and regional revitalization. People from diverse backgrounds, including citizens, local government officials, business representatives, researchers, and educators, engaged in meaningful discussions on the future of our oceans.

As the first Blue Flag international conference of this scale held in Asia, the summit marked an important milestone in expanding the Blue Flag Programme in Asia and strengthening international collaboration. Participants renewed their commitment to building sustainable oceans and vibrant coastal communities, and looked forward to meeting again at the next BLUE FLAG Asia Summit.

Date & Time
Day 1: September 20, 2025 (Sat), 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Day 2: September 21, 2025 (Sun), 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Venue
Kaizuka City Welfare Center, 6F Multipurpose Hall 1-17-1 Hatakenaka, Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Participants
154 participants from 4 countries (including the beach party’s and excursion program’s participants)

Organizer　Japan Blue Flag Association

Co-Organizer　JARTA (Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies)

Cooperation
Nishikinohama Charm Promotion Council

Supported by
Kaizuka City Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Foundation for Environmental Education Korea

Key Achievements and Significance

(1) Sharing successful cases and key challenges
Representatives from Japan, South Korea, and India presented successful cases and key challenges related to Blue Flag-certified beaches and marinas. Through panel discussions and Q&A sessions, participants exchanged practical knowledge and operational expertise on Blue Flag management, including water quality management, environmental education, community engagement, safety measures, and promotional strategies.

(2) Strengthening regional collaboration and information exchange for further expansion
In addition to Japan, South Korea, and India, closer collaboration was established with Taiwan, which is working to introduce the Blue Flag certification. This summit helped build cooperative relationships aimed at expanding the Blue Flag Programme and certification throughout Asia. Furthermore, participants reached a shared understanding on strengthening the framework for international information exchange and cooperation to continue the Asia Summit in the coming years.

(3) Networking and relationship building among participants
Through the “BEACH PARTY” and the excursion program, active exchanges and networking took place among Blue Flag stakeholders from Japan, South Korea, India, and Taiwan. These opportunities helped deepen mutual understanding and friendship among participants. As a result, a strong regional network was established to support the future expansion of the Blue Flag Programme across Asia.

Day 1: September 20, 2025 (Sat), 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Click on the speaker’s photo to view the event report.

Opening Remarks

Kiyohiro Katayama
Representative Director, Japan Blue Flag Association

Masaru Takayama
Representative Director, JARTA

Message from Keiichiro Asao, Minister of the Environment of Japan

I am truly delighted, as Minister of the Environment, to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the convening of the “BLUE FLAG Asia Summit 2025,” here in Osaka—the first Blue Flag international conference ever to be held in Asia.

At a time when the relationship between people and the sea is being profoundly reconsidered, the philosophy of the Blue Flag serves as a powerful symbol that links sustainable coastal management with local communities. As environmental standards continue to advance in Japan, I believe that Blue Flag certification also plays an important role in raising public awareness and encouraging broader environmental stewardship.

I am confident that this conference, bringing together the experts and stakeholders from across Asia to share knowledge and chart pathways toward the future, will represent a significant step forward for environmental policy throughout the region.

I sincerely hope that this summit will provide an opportunity to foster new partnerships for the sustainable use of coastal areas and the promotion of environmental education across Asia. At the same time, I would like to express my deepest respect and appreciation to all those involved in the Japan Blue Flag Association for their dedicated efforts.

Let us continue to work together toward further advancing coastal environmental conservation throughout Asia.

September 20, 2025

Keiichiro Asao
Minister of the Environment of Japan