(3) Promoting activities in the comprehensive management of sediment from mountains to coastal areas

Concerned that water systems will accelerate problems such as variation in river environments caused by changes in sedimentary flow, diminishing sand supplies to the coast, and coastal erosion caused by changes in littoral drift, relevant institutions are working in cooperation to comprehensively control sediment flowing down from mountains to coastal areas. Specifically, in order to deal with the problem caused by the sediment flowing in mountain streams, dams, waterways and the coasts, in cooperation with the relevant organizations, MLIT is working on projects such as formulating comprehensive sediment management plans for effective sediment management and building check dams, making existing dams permeable so that sediment can be effectively washed

downstream, creating an effective flow of sediment by sediment bypasses for dams, and recovering of sandy beaches by such methods as appropriate sand and gravel extraction of the waterways, sand bypass and littoral nourishment.

## (4) Environmental education on rivers

As natural environments close to communities, recently, rivers host a variety of activities such as environmental studies and natural experience activities. In addition, we are promoting projects and disseminating of information so children can safely learn and play by riversides. Because there are hidden dangers and proper knowledge is essential for safe activity, we cooperate with the NPO “River Activities Council (RAC)”, a citizens’ groups which played a central role in establishment, to promote the cultivation of river administrators.

Also, in order to widely disseminate environmental education on rivers in the schools, MLIT is providing information to textbook publishers to introduce environmental education projects.

## ○Children’s Riverside Rediscovery Project

With the cooperation of citizens’ groups, educators, and river administrators, rivers are registered as Children’s Riversides and receive various means of support from the Center for Supporting Children’s Riverside Activities. 298 locations are registered as of March 2014.

## ○Riverside Fun School Project

Utilization is encouraged for riversides that are registered as Children’s Riversides and undergo riverside improvements required for enhancing experiential activities. 285 locations are registered as of March 2014.

## ○National Aquatic Organism Study

Conducted with the goal to increase interest in rivers through a survey of life forms found in nearby rivers. In 2013, 59,053 people participated. 59% of the inspection points (2,258 points) were judged to have “clean water”.

## 3 Preserving and improving coastal environments

Because we must preserve animal habitats, care for scenery, and sustain appropriate usage of beaches, while protecting the coast from storm surges, tsunamis, and billows, we are proceeding with maintenance and conservation that balances between “defense,” “environment,” and “usage.”

Due to beached waste originating from foreign countries, in recent years, the diminishing coastal functions and deterioration of the environment, scenery, and ecosystem, and the effects on safe navigation for ships and the fishing industry have become severe. In response, based on the “Law for Protecting Beautiful and Rich Nature through the Promotion of Disposing Beached Coastal Waste contributing to the Preservation of Coastal Scenery and Conservation of the Environment (Coastal Waste Disposal Promotion Act)”, we plan to implement effective measures for beached waste.