International Environmental Certification Blue Flag 2026 Certification Results Announced: Initiatives for the Next Generation Unfold, Wakasawada 10th Anniversary Event, Movie Release, Tohoku Symposium
The results of the 2026 Blue Flag international environmental certification have been announced by the Japan Environmental Education Forum (JARTA). Various initiatives aimed at the next generation will be held across different locations, including a 10th-anniversary event for Wakasawada Beach, the release of the movie 'Lifesaver!', and a symposium linking Tohoku Blue Flag beaches.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 20:00
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The results of the 2026 Blue Flag certification have been announced by the Japan Environmental Education Forum (JARTA).
Following this announcement, various initiatives for the next generation will be held across different locations. These include a 10th-anniversary event at Wakasawada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture), which was the first in Asia to acquire Blue Flag certification in 2016, the release of the movie 'Lifesaver!' set on Wakasawada Beach, a symposium linking Tohoku Blue Flag beaches, and sports events utilizing beaches.
Blue Flag Certification: A Global Standard
The Blue Flag certification is an international environmental certification scheme operated by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), an international NGO. It targets beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators, and is certified 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 Japan Environmental Education Forum (JARTA) is responsible for the assessment.
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 an international jury.
Notable Initiatives for 2026 (as of May 2026)
1. Wakasawada Beach 10th Anniversary Event (Organized by Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture)
The 10th-anniversary event will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
This event will look back at the initiatives of the past 10 years, feature presentations on environmental activities by children, students, and local businesses, and promote the movie 'Lifesaver!' set on Wakasawada 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/
Wakasawada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture) has continuously acquired Blue Flag certification from 2016 to 2026 (Image provided by Wakasa Takahama Tourism Association).
2. BLUE FLAG Tohoku Symposium (Organized 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 sharing case studies and panel discussions.
Sun-Ore Sohama Beach (Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture) has continuously acquired Blue Flag certification from 2023 to 2026 (Image provided by Minamisanriku Town).
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 connect them 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, and is a third-party evaluation that demonstrates compliance with global standards. In Japan, community-led initiatives are steadily expanding. In fiscal year 2026, we will further promote cooperation among certified stakeholders and disseminate its value to society.
Following this announcement, various initiatives for the next generation will be held across different locations. These include a 10th-anniversary event at Wakasawada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture), which was the first in Asia to acquire Blue Flag certification in 2016, the release of the movie 'Lifesaver!' set on Wakasawada Beach, a symposium linking Tohoku Blue Flag beaches, and sports events utilizing beaches.
Blue Flag Certification: A Global Standard
The Blue Flag certification is an international environmental certification scheme operated by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), an international NGO. It targets beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators, and is certified 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 Japan Environmental Education Forum (JARTA) is responsible for the assessment.
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 an international jury.
Notable Initiatives for 2026 (as of May 2026)
1. Wakasawada Beach 10th Anniversary Event (Organized by Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture)
The 10th-anniversary event will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
This event will look back at the initiatives of the past 10 years, feature presentations on environmental activities by children, students, and local businesses, and promote the movie 'Lifesaver!' set on Wakasawada 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/
Wakasawada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture) has continuously acquired Blue Flag certification from 2016 to 2026 (Image provided by Wakasa Takahama Tourism Association).
2. BLUE FLAG Tohoku Symposium (Organized 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 sharing case studies and panel discussions.
Sun-Ore Sohama Beach (Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture) has continuously acquired Blue Flag certification from 2023 to 2026 (Image provided by Minamisanriku Town).
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 connect them 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, and is a third-party evaluation that demonstrates compliance with global standards. In Japan, community-led initiatives are steadily expanding. In fiscal year 2026, we will further promote cooperation among certified stakeholders and disseminate its value to society.