Kagawa’s Vision
for the Creationof Satoumi[Index]
1. Introduction to Satoumi: Why Now?
2. Purpose: Objectives of the Vision
3. Current Status and Issues: Changes in the Seas of Kagawa
4. Approach to the Creation of the Ideal Satoumi for Kagawa
5. Directions for the Project: (1) Characteristics of Satoumi(2) Six Key Points for Carrying Out the Projects

1. Introduction to Satoumi: Why Now?

The Seto Inland Sea is now entering a period of great change.
More than 100 years ago,
when the German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen – the man who gave the “Silk Road” its name –visited the Seto Inland Sea for the first time, he was deeply impressed.
“An infinite number of islands of all sizes… such elegant beauty over a vast area.
Could there be anywhere in the world more beautiful than this?”He also warned, “I pray that it can remain like this forever. Its greatest enemy will be civilizationand the emergence of a human desire unlike anything before.” *Bisan Seto in the Early 20th Century

When we began our period of rapid economic growth,
we desired “material wealth”, and many years of mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal have resulted
in rapidly worsening water pollution in the Seto Inland Sea, such that it was described in the 1970s as “the dying sea”.
The Law Concerning Special Measures for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea (“Setonaikai Act”)
was later established, and measures such as total pollutant load control of water quality were enacted.
Although there has been some degree of improvement in the water quality,
many problems remain and most of them are problems that can only be resolvedby the efforts of a large number of people working together.

Islands in the Seto Inland Sea that are visited by many people
during the Setouchi Triennale

And now,
beginning with the Setouchi Triennale International Art Festival, a movement is taking shape for reevaluating the Seto Inland Sea
from the perspectives of tourism and culture, and the environment surrounding the Seto Inland Sea is entering a new phase.
In the next 100 years,

What should our relationship be with the Seto Inland Sea?
With the 40th anniversary of the Setonaikai Act (2013), and the 80th anniversary of the Setonaikai National Park (2014),
the time has come for us to reexamine the relationship between humanity and the sea.
* “Tagebucher aus China” written by Ferdinand Freiherr von Richthofen

2. Purpose: Objectives of the Vision

Thinking about sustainable living and society
from a marine perspective

Mountains

Much attention is now being drawn to the new concept of Satoumi.

RiversSatoumi describes an integrated understanding of the sea and land
as well as an appropriate relationship with people,
which keeps the sea healthyand supports a great diversity of life.
This produces an abundant sea that provides many benefits,
including not only marine resources,
but also scenery, places for relaxation, food culture, and tourism.

Kagawa’s vision for creating Satoumi

Towns and Cities

aims to reexamine our lives and society from a marine perspective,
based on this Satoumi concept.
With the cooperation of a broad range of organizations and individuals,
we are working to identify a “shared ideal” for Satoumi
that suits the unique characteristics of Kagawa.
This means identifying the ideal vision for our Satoumi

and providing a direction
so that residents of the prefecture canSea
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discover what each of them can do
as a consumer and as a member of society
and take action.

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3. Current Status and Issues: Changes in the Seas of Kagawa

The environmental destruction of the Seto
Inland Sea began a mere 50 years ago.
Much time will be necessary
to make it healthy again.

Na r a Per iod
8th century
The Manyoshu is Japan’s
oldest antholof poems, anogy
d contains areference toexcellent seawtheeed in the countr y of Sanu
(modern day
ki
Kagawa). As
the poem desc
the waters of Ka
ribes,
gawa’s sea wer
e so crystal clthat a person
ear
could see all
the way down
gently swayinto theg seaweed on
the seafloor.

Edo Periodo17th – 19th centuries

Our ancestors have loved the Seto Inland Sea since ancient times,
and they lived in harmony with it while enjoying its many benefits.
It was only 50 years ago that this balance began to fail.
As a result of a variety of measures under the Setonaikai Act, including total pollutant
load control of water quality, there has been some degree of improvement in water quality.
However, our sea continues to face many problems including:
red tides and discoloration of Nori (laver: edible seaweed)
caused by a disrupted balance of seawater nutrient circulation, sea litter,and a diminishing awareness of the relationship between people and the sea.

End of the Tokugawa Shogunate
to early Showa Period
late 19th century – early 20th century• End of the Tokugawa Shogunate to early Meiji Period
The name “Seto Inland Sea” was born from the writings ofSiebold and von Richthofen, which introduced the region to
the world.
• 1911
Kagawa native Kanau Konishi published the SetonaikaiRon, a comprehensive study of the Seto Inland Sea.
• 1934The Seto Inland Sea was designated as the firstnational park in Japan.

Tsuda no Matsubara (Sanuki City), Matsugaura(Sakaide City), and Ariakehama (Kanonji City)
were famous sites known for their white sands
and green pines.

Description of
Tsuda no Matsubara
from the Edo Period

Pollutionin the Seto
I nlan d S
ea!

1965 – 1974
period of r apid economic growth

Destruction of the marine environment
caused by pollution gives the sea thename “the dying sea”. Red tides cause
great damage to the fishing industry.
1973
The Provisional Law Concerning
Measures for Conservation of theEnvironment of the Seto Inland Sea
was passed, and in 1978 became
permanent law (the Setonaikai Act).

Red tide

Damage to farmed yellow-tailcaused by red tides

Present time
Five critical issues facing the seas of K agawa(1) No signs of improvement in organic pollution(4) The urgent problem of sea litter

Although the values for total nitrogen and total phosphorous (indexes of eutrophication) have reached the environmental quality standard in recent years, the levelof achievement in reducing COD (an index of organic pollution) remains low.

It is said that there is more than 13,000 tons of trashlittering the bottom of the Seto Inland Sea (2006[Kagawa Prefecture’s achievement of environmental quality standards (2011)]

litter is household solid waste. 754 tons of trash

estimate by the national government). The majority of thiswash up on the coasts of Kagawa prefecture
annually (2003 estimate by the prefectural government).

• COD (index of organic pollution): 43%(Overall Seto Inland Sea: 78%, Overall Japan: 78%)

• Total nitrogen, total phosphorous (indexes of eutrophication): 100%
(Overall Seto Inland Sea: 93%, Overall Japan: 85%)

(2) Disruption of the nutrient circulation balance
Although eutrophication has been reduced
and the sizes of red tides have grown smaller,
the disruption of the nutrient (nitrogen,phosphorous, etc.) circulation balance has
produced discoloration of Nori in cases when
the level of nutrients in the seawater is too low.

(5) Diminishing awareness of the relationshipbetween people and the sea[From a questionnaire survey taken by residents of the prefecture (2013)]

Q1: What is different about the sea in Kagawa
compared with when you were a child?
132(7.6)
164(9.5)

The seawater is clearer.
There is less litter.
There are more living creatures.

Normal Nori (left) and discolored Nori (right)(3) Seaweed bed – Increasing but still too few
Seaweed bed is important for purifying the water and also as a habitat for young
fish. However, many have been lost due to land recovery in coastal areas and toenvironment destruction. Although there has been some increase in recent
years, the number still remains low.
[Changes in seagrass bed area (eelgrass bed)]

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units: ha

8,940

4,190
405 942 891
1945 1965 1978

1,338

1989 1996 2010

Eelgrass

Units: Persons (%)

22(1.3)

I go to the sea more often.

117(6.8)
124(7.2)

The sea is safer.

10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0

Household solid waste on the seafloor

The seawater is less clear.

571(33.1)

There is more litter.

512(29.6) 679(39.3)

There are less living creatures.

I go to the sea less often.
The sea is more dangerous.

756(43.8)

128(7.4)
103(6.0)

Other
I lived outside the prefecture when I was a child.
0

100

200

297(17.0)

300

400

The results from this survey taken by residents of theprefecture show that the largest number of persons
responded that they go to the sea less often, and thissame trend was seen in all generations. In fact, only
6% of respondents go to the sea or seaside once ormore per month. 30% responded that they never goto the sea. The results show a diminishing awarenessof the relationship between people and the sea.

500

600

Once a month:3%

Several times
a year: 31%

Q2: How often do you visit
the sea or seashore?

700

800

Once a week: 3%

Never: 32%

Onceevery several years:
31%

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4. Approach to the Creation of the Ideal Satoumi for Kagawa

Creation of new values by utilizing Satoumi< Taking Satoumi from Kagawa to the world >The ideal Satoumi
for Kagawa
A sustainable, rich sea
that accommodates
both humans and nature
Coordination of“Preservation” and “Utilization”

A sea providing plentiful
communication and excitement• Utilization of local resources• Promoting communication
through involvement with the sea• Preserving traditional cultures
related to the sea

A beautiful sea

An important partof traditional cultures

Island art

Experiencing the sea close-up while jogging or kayaking

A sea of diverse living creatures• A litter-free sea and seashore• Good water quality and bottom sediment• Harmonization of natural scenery and cultural scenery• Conserving of biodiversity• Maintaining biological productivity• Ensuring habitat space for living creatures

Scenic beauty of the many islands that is renowned worldwide, Sea of beautiful sunsets Clear, litter-free sea
and the Great Seto Bridge, constructed to harmonize with nature

A sea for finless porpoises and sea fireflies

A rich source of fish where one can go clam-digging

All residents work together to connect mountains, rivers, towns and cities,
and the sea throughout the prefecture.
individual efforts together
Connect Connect
to create a large-scale movement.
person does
Try Eachwhat he or she can.

Know (learn)

Learn the connections between the sea
and society as a whole.

Realize

Realize your personal connection
with the sea.

Foundation of activities
for the creation of Satoumi

The objective is a sustainable, rich sea
that accommodates both humans and nature.
In Kagawa Prefecture, we approach the mountains, rivers, towns and cities, and the sea as a single area,
and our residents are working to achieve “a beautiful sea”, “a sea of plentiful interaction and excitement”, and “a sea of diverse living creatures” in all parts of the prefecture.
These three objectives compose our goal of creating “a sustainable, rich sea that accommodates both humans and nature”.
In this way, we will develop a new society and a new lifestyle that is in harmony with nature. Then, the success of this new society and lifestyle will be broadcasted
from Kagawa to the entire Seto Inland Sea area, and from there to other parts of Japan, and ultimately, to the world.

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5. Directions for the Project: (1) Characteristics of Satoumi

Residents are working together to connect mountains, rivers,
towns and cities, and the sea in all parts of the prefecture.
1. All parts of the prefecture
Making use of the geographical advantagesof Kagawa, we consider all parts of theprefecture including the mountains, rivers,
towns and cities, and the sea, to be a single
large region, and are cooperating to create
Satoumi.

2. Residents working together
The residents of Kagawa prefecture understand that Satoumi is anasset that is shared by all of us. We are working so that all residents
have more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the rich sea. We aretaking action with an awareness of our roles as members of theSatoumi and of the resulting responsibilities that we bear.

The entire prefecture isa watershed of the Seto
Inland Sea.

Total coastal
length relative to landarea places Kagawa
first in the Seto Inland
Sea (third in Japan after
Nagasaki andOkinawa).

Lives of residents
everywhere in the prefecture
are not far from the sea.

Sea
Towns and Cities
RiversMountains

Approx.

30km

There are 24
inhabited islands
in Kagawaprefecture (the fifth
most in Japan).

There are many inhabitedislands, and many living spaces
are linked directly to the sea.

A sea
for everyone
Since ancient times, the natural environment, which surrounds all ofus, has been preserved at a certain level through the work of the

1 out of 25
residents lives
on an island (asof 2010).

agriculture, forestry, and fishery industries. However, due to factors
including changes in our society and environment, this preservation
will be the collective responsibility of our whole society in the future.

3. To Connect

Through Satoumi, we are reconstructing our relationship with the sea from the two perspectives of people and nature.

RainfallExamples:Mountains

Mountains • Satoyama restoration• Eco tourism

Towns
and
Cities• Water from agricultural fields• Industrial wastewater• Domestic wastewater
Etc.

Inflow of nutrients* and other substances from rivers

RiversTowns
andCitiesExamples:• Measures for domestic
and industrial wastewater• Environmentally-friendly
agriculture• Local production for
local consumption• Creating opportunities
for seaside activities

Consumption

Our lives areclosely connectedto the sea!
Fishing

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

RiversExamples:• River beautification• Environmental studies• Construction ofenvironmentally-friendly
facilities

Sea

Evaporation
Large fish

Small fish

Connections with Nature

Nutrients* and organic substances contained in water from mountains,
agricultural fields, plants, and households are transported by rivers to the sea,
and return to us through the food chain. We are working to create a healthiersea by considering these connections with nature (the material cycling).

Sea

Examples:• Preserving culture
related to the sea• Conservation of
traditional scenery• Protection and regenerationof seaweed bed and tidal flats• Measures to combat sea litter• Measures to combat red tides
and discoloration of Nori

Connections with People

We are cooperating in projects focused on themountains, rivers, towns and cities, and the sea,
and are evaluating the results comprehensively
for the area as a whole.

* “Nutrients” refers to the nitrogen, phosphorous, and other substances necessary for plant life.

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5. Directions for the Project: (2) Six Key Points for Carrying Out the Projects

Focusing on creating the infrastructure
for supporting sustainable projects(1) Strategizing the promotion of Satoumi

Centered on the Kagawa Satoumi Committee, we are working with a diverse
range of organizations and individuals to promote participation in these projects,
and to link individual projects together for comprehensive coordination andevaluation to construct a system for creating Satoumi in Kagawa.

generations and depending on other factors such as the frequency of contact
with the sea, we are creating virtual models based on questionnaire surveys andother materials, and providing training programs that are tailored to the needs ofthe participants.
Example: For persons in their 10s and 20s who have a firm background inenvironmental education, we are developing leaders by expanding on-site sea-related experiences.

(2) Sharing ideas and applying them to projects

For working persons in their 20s and 30s, we are promoting

With the cooperation of many different businesses, we have formulated and arecooperation through information provided by social media.

widely promoting a vision that represents a shared idea for projects aimed at• We are working to create persons who will carry on the islands’ living traditions

creating a Satoumi that is right for Kagawa. We are applying this vision to theand cultures so that we can continue to maintain the islands, which are a cultural“Kagawa Prefectural Plan for Environmental Conservation of the Seto Inlandand social resource of the Seto Inland Sea in a sustainable form.

Sea” which is a comprehensive mid- and long-term plan related to environmental
vision to the plans and projects that are carried out by each implementing body.

(5) Creating networks(3) Developing awarenesspeople centered on the “Satoumi” keyword.

conservation of the Seto Inland Sea. At the same time, we are applying thisWe are constructing networks that transcend the existing framework of regions
and fields to facilitate communication and cooperation by a diverse range of

By using a variety of media and forums to provide information and experience
opportunities, we are working to raise the level of interest in Satoumi anddevelop a Satoumi awareness among prefectural residents. In particular, we are
expanding activities for increasing formative experiences at the sea and seaside
for the children who will be responsible for creating Satoumi in the future.

(4) Developing human resources• We are developing the human resources who will take the lead in creating ourSatoumi. Because awareness related to the sea varies largely among different(6) Adaptable data-based management

We carry out the necessary reviews and changes to these projects throughcontinuous data-based verification and evaluation. We are also introducing
easily implementable monitoring methods, and publicizing investigation results
and evaluation details so that a broad range of residents in the prefecture canparticipate.

[ Project system ][ Six-point project scheme ]Fiscal 2013

Kagawa Satoumi Committee

Organizations,Companies,etc.
in each field

Advisors
Subcommittees
Strategic Team

[Composition]

Kagawa Prefecture Federationof Fisheries Cooperative Associations
Kagawa-ken Agricultural Cooperative Association
Kagawa Prefecture Federationof Land Improvement Associations
Kagawa Prefecture Federation of Forest Owners’
Cooperative Associations
Kagawa Prefecture Environmental Conservation
Public Corporation
Shikoku Environmental Partnership Office (Shikoku EPO)
Kagawa Prefecture Neighborhood Council Coalition
Kagawa Prefecture
Council of Consumer Organizations
Kagawa Association of Corporate Executives
Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association
The Congress of Parents & Teachers Associations of Kagawa
Kagawa Scout Council, Scout Association of Japan
Kagawa University
Kagawa Association of City Mayors, Kagawa Prefectural
Association of Towns and Villages
Local Branches of the following Ministries and Agencies;• Ministry of the Environment• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries• Forestry Agency• Fisheries Agency
Kagawa PrefectureInternal Kagawa Satoumi Study Committee

Composed of related prefectural departments and agencies ineach field (Policy, Crisis Management, Environment, Health andWelfare, Commerce and Industry, Tourism, Forestry and
Fisheries, Civil Works, Education, etc.).

Cooperation
Coordination(1)
System(2)
Principles(3)
Prefecture
residents

Creation and strengthening of systems
for each theme and region

Formulationof vision

Human
resources

Sharingof vision

Application to plans and projectsof each implementing body

Thorough promotions

Awareness(4)

Evaluation

Formation ofcommittee

Fiscal 2014 >>Continual provisionof information

Provision of opportunities for experiences

Creation ofvirtual models

Studies of projects
for each target group

Implementationof projects

Cooperation(5)
Networks

Government(6)Adaptable
management

Provision of forums for informationand exchange, and other support systems
for creating networks

Study of adaptable
management policies

Adaptable data-based
management

In Kagawa Prefecture, we have already launched many projects aimed at creating Satoumi, beginning with the first sea litter
prevention project in Japan that incorporates both the sea and land together. Other examples include projects for regenerating
undeveloped woodlands (Satoyama), utilizing bamboo forest resources, and measures to improve domestic wastewater.
In the future, we will continue to work toward our vision to create a Satoumi, which is unique to Kagawa
and connects all of Kagawa’s mountains, rivers, towns and cities, and the sea.
The participation of every resident in the prefecture is essential for creating Satoumi.
We hope that you will begin to take action in areas that are close to you as a member of our Satoumi.
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Kagawa’s Vision for the Creation of Satoumi
Publication Date: September 2013
Publisher:

Kagawa Prefecture

Contact:

Water Environment and Satoumi Group
Environmental Management Division,
Environment and Forestry Department
4-1-10 Bancho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-8570 JAPAN
Tel: 087-832-3218 Fax: 087-806-0228