First in Kanagawa: Marine Education Project 'Uminoko Classroom' Launches Program for Kawasaki City Public Elementary Schools, Teaching Children About Fisheries Distribution and Ocean Careers at Fishing Ports

Under the sponsorship of the General Incorporated Association Next-Generation Value Consortium, ActIndy Inc.—operator of the outing information website 'iko-yo' (https://iko-yo.net/)—has implemented its marine education project 'Uminoko Classroom' for public elementary schools in Kanagawa Prefecture for the first time, targeting Kawasaki City public schools.

As the inaugural program, approximately 58 fifth-grade students from Kawasaki City Asada Elementary School participated in the 'Fishing Port Job Experience Program.' The program included explanations of fish caught on the day, hands-on experience with actual sorting and bidding operations at the fishing port, and comprehensive learning about fish ecology and the mechanisms of fisheries distribution. Through this experience, children gained insight into the ingenuity and dedication of port workers and deepened their understanding of how marine resources reach dining tables and the jobs that support this system.

■ Overview of the Fishing Port Job Experience Program

【Program Details】

Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)

Location: Tomiura Fishing Port (Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture)

Participating School: 58 fifth-grade students from Kawasaki City Asada Elementary School

Activities: Explanations of fishing and live fish, interviews with fishing port workers, hands-on fresh fish sorting, auction simulation games, and more

【Event Highlights】

The experience began early in the morning at the bustling fishing port. In addition to familiar fish like mackerel and sardines, rare species such as starry sharks and black moray eels were landed, leaving children awestruck. They carefully observed the fish up close, touching them and studying their mouths and body patterns. During the sorting activity, students sorted freshly landed fish by species, becoming so engrossed that some ended up with squid ink staining their hands completely black—an impressive display of immersive, on-site learning. Interactions with port workers also allowed children to appreciate the dedication and creativity behind the scenes, making the ocean and fisheries feel more accessible and real.

View of sorting activity

View of auction simulation

【School Feedback】

"At a real fishing port, children not only touched fish and learned about their textures and biology but also understood the distribution system and the importance of conserving limited resources. This is a rare and valuable experience that leads to deeper understanding beyond textbooks. We hope our students can continue to have more opportunities like this living classroom." (Hiroshi Horie, Principal, Asada Elementary School)

■ Overview of 'Uminoko Classroom' (Marine Education Project)

Launched in 2022, this initiative aims to create meaningful ocean connections for children by collaborating with educational institutions such as elementary schools to provide marine education and experiential opportunities. Currently partnering with five municipalities in Tokyo, the project plans to expand to 48 schools nationwide by the 2026 fiscal year, reaching approximately 3,700 children.

Despite Japan being an island nation, children's contact with the ocean is decreasing. (See 'Public Awareness Survey on the Ocean and Japan 2024' by The Nippon Foundation.) This is due to societal factors such as parental burdens and risk-averse attitudes in educational institutions, making improvements particularly difficult in urban areas.

Therefore, by collaborating with government and educational institutions to provide marine education and experiential opportunities, this project aims to lower psychological barriers to ocean experiences, making 'marine learning and experiences' a standard option during regular classes or nature camps. It also aims to build a sustainable foundation for better ocean engagement by accumulating experience and expertise.

'Nippon Foundation: Public Awareness Survey on the Ocean and Japanese People 2024': https://uminohi.jp/research/survey16.html

▼ Official Website

https://uminoko.iko-yo.net/

▼ Official Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/uminokokyoushitsu/

■ 2026 Fiscal Year Program Overview

We plan and operate various experiential programs themed around the ocean, connected to school curricula.

Program Period: May 2026 to approximately January 2027 (subject to change)

Expected Participants: 48 schools, approximately 3,700 children

《Sample Programs》

Marine Safety Class & Marine Activities

Locations: Haraoka Coast, Okusu Beach, Ii Coast

Partner Organizations: Minamiboso Activities Platform, Katsuura Lifesaving Club, others

Activities: Marine safety education, SUP, sea kayaking, and more

Fishing Port Job Experience Program

Locations: Hota Fishing Port, Tomiura Fishing Port, Okusu Fishing Port, Funagata Fishing Port

Partner Organizations: Chiba Prefecture Fisheries Cooperatives (Hota, Ii Tomiura, Shin-Katsuura, Tateyama), others

Activities: Fishing/live fish explanations, interviews, sorting experience, auction experience

Marine Learning Phototering

Location: Ohozaki Natural Park

Partner Organization: Minamiboso City Ohozaki Nature House (NPO Chiba Nature School)

Activities: Orienteering within the park, beachcombing, and more

＜Organization Overview＞

■ Planning & Promotion

Organization: ActIndy Inc.

URL: https://iko-yo.net/

Activities: Child-rearing support business (internet information services, event operations)

■ Project Management

Organization: General Incorporated Association Next-Generation Value Consortium

Activities: Planning marine education and experiential programs to create meaningful ocean connections for children

～About The Nippon Foundation～

Pain, hope, and the future—we share them all.

Founded in 1962 as Japan’s largest foundation, The Nippon Foundation has been advancing diverse initiatives across borders and races—supporting children, people with disabilities, disaster relief, ocean conservation, and humanitarian aid—funded by grants from boat racing revenues.

URL: https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/

※ This project is funded by a grant from The Nippon Foundation.