LINE 174 Participation in Spring 2016 "Fujimae Higata Cleaning Mission"

On May 21, 2016 (Saturday), the "Fujimae Higata Cleaning Mission" was held around Fujimae Higata (tidal flat) at the mouth of Shonai River and Shinkawa River (organized by the Fujimae Higata Cleaning Mission Executive Committee).
This activity is held twice a year in spring and autumn, and is a joint effort among organizations such as the residents, students, corporate groups and government bodies. It has been attracting a large number of participants, and employees and family members of the NTT West Group companies also take part in it every year.
The event last spring was canceled due to poor weather. This year, announcement was also made to the newly-recruited employees who joined in FY2016 during the application period, and a total of 114 applications, including those from 42 new employees, were received. This is a good start for the social action program that is held for the first time this year in the Aichi district.

Prior to the opening ceremony by the organizer, a Tokai Group opening ceremony was held, where a speech was delivered by Mr. Kamiya, General Affairs Department Manager of NTT West Tokai Regional Headquarters, followed by a photo-taking session for the participants.

Under the guidance of the organizer, Tokai Group participants were split into three smaller groups before walking to the respective sites. After a briefing was given by the persons in charge, they began to engage in their task.

Cleaning work was carried out efficiently, with each of the smaller groups further divided into two sub-groups, one to haul and sort trash at the levee and the other to move down to the riverside and clean the site.
At the riverside where large quantities of reed were growing, trash was found scattered, including plastic bottles, empty cans, empty snack bags, instant food containers, as well as bulky trash such as tires and cones for roadworks.
As trash was picked up one after another from the riverside, garbage bags were seen to pile up on the levee. At the end of the 90-minute mission, a total of 959 45-liter trash bags were filled up, and the area transformed beyond recognition into a beautiful landscape.

After completing the mission, all the participants had a great time communicating with one another while they enjoyed their lunchbox. In the afternoon, an optional Fujimae Higata Tour was conducted for those who were interested. Among the total of 103 participants who joined the tour, 5 were from Tokai Group. They moved to the tour site by bus, where the participating children were covered in mud and engrossed in finding different species of living creatures.

There was a proposal to convert the tideland of Fujimae Higata to a landfill site, but the plan was aborted due to opposition from the civic groups, which allowed us to enjoy the valuable natural landscape that we see today. Fujimae Higata is also designated as a wildlife reserve under the Ramsar Convention. Through this hands-on activity, participants were able to feel the strong need to continue protecting the area for future generations.
We hope to maintain it as an ideal resting site for migratory birds.

As danger was involved in a part of the cleaning work, the tasks were carried out with great care and everyone at the secretariat is grateful that the participants were able to complete the mission without any accident or injury.
The next round of activity is scheduled in autumn on October 29 (Saturday), and we hope to see a large turnout.

(Data released by organizer)
Total no. of participants: 630
No. of participants from NTT West Tokai Group: 114 (including secretariat)
Amount of trash collected: equivalent to 959 45-liter trash bags

Participating companies

NTT West Tokai Group

Venue

Center levee of Fujimae Higata (Nagoya, Minato-ku)

No. of participants

114 (5 joined the Fujimae Higata tour)