【International Environmental Certification Blue Flag 2026 Certification Results Announced】Initiatives for the Next Generation Unfold: Wakasa Wada 10th Anniversary Event, Movie Release, Tohoku Symposium
The Japan Blue Flag Association (JARTA) has announced the results of the 2026 International Environmental Certification Blue Flag. In response, various initiatives aimed at sustainable community building for the next generation will be held across Japan, including a 10th-anniversary event at Wakasa Wada Beach (Fukui Prefecture, Takahama Town), the first certified beach in Asia, the release of a related movie, and a Tohoku Symposium.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 06:59 (19h 27m after Collected)
Various initiatives are being held in different locations.
The results of the 2026 Blue Flag certification have been announced by the General Incorporated Association JARTA.
Following this announcement, various initiatives will be held across different locations. These include a commemorative event at "Wakasa Wada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture)," which obtained the Blue Flag certification for the first time in Asia in 2016, the release of the movie "Lifesaver!" set on Wakasa Wada Beach, a symposium linking Blue Flag beaches in Tohoku, and sports events utilizing beaches.
Blue Flag Certification Based on Global Standards
The Blue Flag certification is an international environmental certification program operated by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), an international NGO. It certifies beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators based on criteria such as environmental management, environmental education, and safety.
National operators in each country conduct rigorous assessments based on a globally common evaluation process. In Japan, the General Incorporated Association JARTA is responsible for the assessment.
Bathing beaches are assessed based on 31 criteria across 4 categories, and marinas on 51 criteria across 5 categories. The final decision on certification is made by the International Jury.
Notable Initiatives for Fiscal Year 2026 (as of May 2026)
1. Wakasa Wada Beach 10th Anniversary Event (Hosted by Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture)
The 10th-anniversary event will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
This event will look back on the past 10 years of efforts, feature presentations on environmental activities by children, students, and local businesses, and promote the movie "Lifesaver!" set on Wakasa Wada Beach. It aims to foster in children, who will lead the next generation, a "heart to protect and nurture their hometown's sea."
Details here:
https://blueflag-japan.org/2026/04/20260530wakasawada/
Wakasa Wada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture) continuously certified with Blue Flag from 2016 to 2026 (Image provided by Wakasa Takahama Tourist Association)
2. BLUE FLAG Tohoku Symposium (Hosted by Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
The "BLUE FLAG Tohoku Symposium in Minamisanriku Town" is scheduled to be held on Friday, October 16, 2026.
At this symposium, stakeholders from Blue Flag certified beaches in the Tohoku region will gather to discuss sustainable community development through case sharing and panel discussions.
Sun-Ore Sodehama Beach (Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture) continuously certified with Blue Flag from 2023 to 2026 (Image provided by Minamisanriku Town)
Kiyohiro Katayama, Representative Director, Japan Blue Flag Association
Comment from Kiyohiro Katayama, Representative Director, Japan Blue Flag Association:
The Japan Blue Flag Association aims to protect the richness of Japan's seas and pass it on to the next generation by supporting the acquisition and promotion of the international environmental certification Blue Flag. Blue Flag certification is an international framework that integrates environmental education, environmental management, and safety, serving as a third-party evaluation that meets global standards. In Japan, community-led initiatives are steadily expanding. In fiscal year 2026, we will further promote collaboration among certified stakeholders and communicate its value to society.
The results of the 2026 Blue Flag certification have been announced by the General Incorporated Association JARTA.
Following this announcement, various initiatives will be held across different locations. These include a commemorative event at "Wakasa Wada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture)," which obtained the Blue Flag certification for the first time in Asia in 2016, the release of the movie "Lifesaver!" set on Wakasa Wada Beach, a symposium linking Blue Flag beaches in Tohoku, and sports events utilizing beaches.
Blue Flag Certification Based on Global Standards
The Blue Flag certification is an international environmental certification program operated by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), an international NGO. It certifies beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators based on criteria such as environmental management, environmental education, and safety.
National operators in each country conduct rigorous assessments based on a globally common evaluation process. In Japan, the General Incorporated Association JARTA is responsible for the assessment.
Bathing beaches are assessed based on 31 criteria across 4 categories, and marinas on 51 criteria across 5 categories. The final decision on certification is made by the International Jury.
Notable Initiatives for Fiscal Year 2026 (as of May 2026)
1. Wakasa Wada Beach 10th Anniversary Event (Hosted by Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture)
The 10th-anniversary event will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
This event will look back on the past 10 years of efforts, feature presentations on environmental activities by children, students, and local businesses, and promote the movie "Lifesaver!" set on Wakasa Wada Beach. It aims to foster in children, who will lead the next generation, a "heart to protect and nurture their hometown's sea."
Details here:
https://blueflag-japan.org/2026/04/20260530wakasawada/
Wakasa Wada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture) continuously certified with Blue Flag from 2016 to 2026 (Image provided by Wakasa Takahama Tourist Association)
2. BLUE FLAG Tohoku Symposium (Hosted by Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
The "BLUE FLAG Tohoku Symposium in Minamisanriku Town" is scheduled to be held on Friday, October 16, 2026.
At this symposium, stakeholders from Blue Flag certified beaches in the Tohoku region will gather to discuss sustainable community development through case sharing and panel discussions.
Sun-Ore Sodehama Beach (Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture) continuously certified with Blue Flag from 2023 to 2026 (Image provided by Minamisanriku Town)
Kiyohiro Katayama, Representative Director, Japan Blue Flag Association
Comment from Kiyohiro Katayama, Representative Director, Japan Blue Flag Association:
The Japan Blue Flag Association aims to protect the richness of Japan's seas and pass it on to the next generation by supporting the acquisition and promotion of the international environmental certification Blue Flag. Blue Flag certification is an international framework that integrates environmental education, environmental management, and safety, serving as a third-party evaluation that meets global standards. In Japan, community-led initiatives are steadily expanding. In fiscal year 2026, we will further promote collaboration among certified stakeholders and communicate its value to society.