Monthly Wada Beach Clean

Happy smiles of September's Wada Beach Clean volunteers.

Rina Kimura (left) organizer of the beach clean, shares a light-heated moment with other volunteers

The Japan Sea is home to some of Japan’s most beautiful beaches, with Wada Beach’s crystal-clear waters and clean sands in Takahama, Fukui, being one of the most stunning coastal locations in western Japan. However, due to a combination of geographic and human factors, the Japan Sea also accumulates a significant amount of ocean debris. While some visitors may blame the town itself for not adequately addressing the problem, the reality is much more complex.

The Tsushima Current (対馬海流) carries marine debris from neighboring countries, contributing to the accumulation of garbage along Japan's Sea of Japan coastlines.

Without diving too much into the details, several major ocean currents trap floating debris, leading to garbage accumulating along the Japan Sea. One significant current, the Tsushima Current, flows from the East China Sea through the Korea Strait into the Japan Sea, carrying marine debris from surrounding countries such as China, South Korea, and North Korea.

While coastal industries in these countries are partly responsible, it’s also important to recognize the role of Japan’s fishing industry. The Japan Sea is a rich fishing area, and abandoned or lost fishing gear—such as nets, ropes, and plastic debris—from this industry also significantly contributes to the garbage problem.

The weather conditions and time of year can influence both the volume and size of the debris, today’s rain storm brought huge waves to the coast along with stretches of natural debris with large amounts of microplastics.

Taking the garbage back to the Wada Camp Ground for disposal.

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