Photo Picture Book 'Ogasawara Islands, Chichijima: The Island Where Green Sea Turtles Return' Focusing on the Connections of Life and the Future of the Sea, Now on Sale!

Bun-ichi Sogo Publishing Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Hiroshi Saito), which publishes nature science encyclopedias and specialized books, released the 10th installment in the "Connections of Life" photo picture book series, "Ogasawara Islands, Chichijima: The Island Where Green Sea Turtles Return," on June 1 (Mon).

About This Book

This book is a photo picture book set in the Ogasawara Islands, a World Natural Heritage site located about 1000 kilometers south of Honshu, that follows the magnificent life journey of green sea turtles. Hatchling turtles embark on a journey into the vast ocean and, after about 40 years, return to their home beaches to lay eggs. However, it is said that only about 0.2-0.3% of them survive their long journey and manage to return.

The book delves into the resilient ecology of green sea turtles and also introduces the connections with the diverse life that inhabits the rich seas of the Ogasawara Islands, including dolphins, whales, and fish. Furthermore, it draws attention to the impact of human activities on marine life, such as the reduction of sandy beaches due to coastal construction and the issue of stranded garbage. This book deepens understanding of how human life affects green sea turtles and the challenges surrounding the marine environment, serving as a catalyst for fostering environmental conservation awareness.

▼ Bun-ichi Sogo Publishing Site | Photo Picture Book 'Ogasawara Islands, Chichijima: The Island Where Green Sea Turtles Return'

https://www.bun-ichi.co.jp/tabid/57/pdid/978-4-8299-9028-5/Default.aspx

The Q&A section at the end of the book clearly explains the ecology of green sea turtles and the impact of human life on the sea in a question-and-answer format.

Author's Afterword

At the age of 28, I quit my office job and moved to Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands to become a guide who leads people underwater through scuba diving. Since then, I have continued to take photographs while diving in the seas around this island. It was in this sea that I first encountered green sea turtles. Since then, I have photographed them in various states. On a full moon night, I waited all night for a female to emerge from the sandy beach, watching her lay eggs.

Many creatures live in these waters, from large animals like whales and dolphins to colorful small fish. Among them, green sea turtles are a familiar presence to the islanders. This is because you can see them laying eggs on the sandy beaches near the town, without needing to ride a boat or dive. Therefore, when observing females laying eggs, it is important to be quiet and still. At Omura Beach, near the town, staff from the Ogasawara Marine Center watch over the turtles and observe egg-laying together with visitors to the island.

It takes about 40 years for baby green sea turtles to grow up and return to this island to lay eggs. I have lived on the island for 28 years, but I will have to wait a little longer to be reunited with the hatchlings I photographed in my first year. The first people settled on Chichijima about 200 years ago. However, green sea turtles have been traveling between Honshu and this island, connecting their lives, for a much, much longer time than that. If you encounter a green sea turtle on Chichijima, I would be happy if you could watch over it gently, while reflecting on the long flow of time that has unfolded on this island.

About the Author

Toshio Minami (Minami Toshio)

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1970. He entered the world of underwater photography at the age of 19, inspired by starting scuba diving. After graduating from university, he worked for an engineering company and moved to Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands at the age of 28 to become a diving guide. Since then, he has continued to take photographs while working as a diving guide. His books include "Dolphins: Mammals Living in the Sea" (Akane Shobo) and "I Will Become an Albatross Parent" (KAISEISHA), which chronicles the albatross relocation project. Website: http://toshiominami.com/

Book Overview

Book Title: Connections of Life 10 "Ogasawara Islands, Chichijima: The Island Where Green Sea Turtles Return"

Photographs and Text: Toshio Minami

Release Date: June 1, 2026 (Mon)

Price: 2,640 yen (2,400 yen + 10% tax)

ISBN13: 978-4-8299-9027-8

Format: B5 size, hardcover

Pages: 48 pages

E-book: Available

Publisher: Bun-ichi Sogo Publishing (Tokyo, Chiyoda)

Bun-ichi Sogo Publishing Site: https://www.bun-ichi.co.jp/

Where to Purchase This Book

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4829990287

Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18584811/

Also available at bookstores nationwide and various online bookstores.

"Connections of Life" Photo Picture Book Series

A series of photo picture books that allow readers to learn about diverse environments and relationships with other living things through the lives of wild animals living in Japan's mountains, seas, forests, and rivers. The lives of wild animals are introduced using numerous precious ecological photographs taken through long-term coverage. It can also be used as teaching material to supplement and expand upon the "Connections of Life" topic studied in 3rd-grade elementary school moral education. B5 size, hardcover. All pages include furigana (phonetic readings), making it enjoyable for children from lower elementary grades to adults. A total of 10 volumes have been published. All volumes are selected books by the National School Library Association.

Award-Winning Series Titles

Connections of Life 1 "Forests and Rivers, Mountains and Seas: The Journey of the Brown Bear"

Recommended by the Social Security Council of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Child Welfare Cultural Property "FY2021 Recommended Child Welfare Cultural Property"

Connections of Life 3 "The Mountain Gardener: Ezo Chipmunk"

Recommended by the Social Security Council of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Child Welfare Cultural Property "FY2021 Recommended Child Welfare Cultural Property"

Connections of Life 6 "Aiming for the Hometown River: The Journey of Salmon"

Awarded "FY2025 Child Welfare Cultural Award Recommended Work" by the Children and Families Agency and others.

Connections of Life 7 "Always Together with Friends: The Life of the Long-tailed Tit"

Awarded the "72nd Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award, Sankei Shimbun Award" by Sankei Shimbun.

Connections of Life 9 "From Hand to Hand, From Skin to Leather: The Making of a Cowhide Randoseru"

Awarded "FY2026 Child Welfare Cultural Award, Publishing Division" by the Children and Families Agency and others.

Connections of Life Series (10 volumes published as of July 2026)