"Cosplay for a Clean Ocean Mission!! 2023 Autumn in Yokohama" to Be Held

The World Cosplay Culture Promotion Association, led by Chairperson Tomoko Amano, is participating in this campaign aimed at tackling marine litter, alongside the Nippon Foundation, chaired by Yohei Sasagawa, and the Ministry of the Environment.

As a kick-off event, "Cosplay for a Clean Ocean Mission!! 2023 Autumn in Yokohama" was held on September 16, 2023 (Saturday) in Yokohama City. On the day of the event, various cosplay enthusiasts gathered to enjoy both litter collection and cosplay photography. Approximately 400 participants took part in the litter collection, resulting in the collection of 56 kg of litter.

This event was organized as part of the Nippon Foundation's "Change for the Blue" project, which is dedicated to addressing marine litter and ocean conservation.

During the opening ceremony, teams consisting of participating organizations, businesses, and cosplayers, all contributing to the event, made a spirited commitment to reduce marine litter under the banner of the "UMIGOMI-ZERO Declaration" (Ocean Trash Zero Declaration). Simultaneously, at seven locations across the country (Aomori, Yamanashi, Fukui, Kyoto, Tottori, Oita, Kagoshima), a live broadcast connected these regions to share their determination to support Ocean Trash Zero Week, marking the beginning of "Spring Ocean Trash Zero Week 2023." This collective effort generated enthusiasm nationwide.

Greetings from the Organizers and Supporters of Ocean Trash Zero Week!

As the organizers of "Ocean Trash Zero Week," Mr. Yohei Sasagawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, and Mr. Motomu Takizawa, Vice Minister of the Environment, representing the Ministry of the Environment, took the stage. Additionally, Mr. Takaharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama, joined as a supporter. Mr. Sasagawa, in a lively gesture, appeared in a cosplay outfit resembling "Monkey D. Luffy," the protagonist of "ONE PIECE," and stirred up the crowd. Each representative emphasized the importance of starting by cleaning up land-based litter to reduce marine litter and called upon the participants gathered at the venue. With the rallying cry of "Let's pick up trash and protect the sea!" the cleanup activity officially commenced.

Approximately 400 corporate volunteers and cosplayers joined forces to clean up the streets of Yokohama. After the conclusion of the opening ceremony, they divided into three groups and conducted litter collection activities in three areas: Yokohama Station West Exit area, Kannai Station vicinity, and Rinko Park. In total, these 400 participants managed to gather 56 kg of litter.

Cosplayers enjoying themselves amidst the newly cleaned streets of Yokohama!
Following their litter collection efforts in the city, cosplayers roamed around and enjoyed photoshoots primarily in locations such as Red Brick Park, Cosmo World, and Rinko Park.