Kiyohiro Katayama
Representative Director, Japan Blue Flag Association
Representative Director, Japan Blue Flag Association
Thank you very much for taking the time to join us today at the “BLUE FLAG Asia Summit 2025.” First, on behalf of the organizing members, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all.
The Blue Flag certification is one of the world’s most historic and trusted international environmental certifications for beaches, marinas, and tourist boats, operated by the international NGO, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Currently, 5,195 locations across 51 countries worldwide have obtained the certification, and in the Asian region, only three countries—Japan, South Korea, and India—are participating.
The first Blue Flags in Asia were raised in 2016 at Wakasa Wada Beach in Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture, and Yuigahama Beach in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of that historic first step we made. I am deeply proud that we are hosting the Asia Summit here in Japan this commemorative year.
Over the past decade, Blue Flag has steadily expanded across Asia, and today, 15 locations in Japan, 11 in India, and 4 in South Korea have obtained the certification.
These achievements are the result of tireless efforts to pass on safe and beautiful waters to future generations, and they are a source of pride we should all share.
At today’s summit, we will look back on the past decade, share the challenges and success stories of Blue Flag initiatives in each country, and, with an eye toward the next decade, aim to make this a starting point for disseminating models of sustainable development for Asia’s coastal regions from Asia to the world.
In particular, we are honored to welcome Dr. Shriji Kurup from the Centre for Environment Education in India and Mr. Peter Dae Young Kang, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Environmental Education Korea, who have traveled a long way to join us today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to them.
This summit is being held in collaboration with JARTA. I would also like to express once again my sincere appreciation for the tremendous cooperation and support of Kaizuka City, the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, the Nishikinohama Charm Promotion Council, as well as local businesses and schools, and all Blue Flag stakeholders from across Japan and Asia.
I would like to conclude my opening remarks by expressing my hope that this summit will foster further collaboration and action for Blue Flag in Asia and serve as a catalyst for building a sustainable future for the world. I am looking forward to having a great interaction today.
