150-Meter Giant Pipe Washes Ashore on Ishikawa Coast in Japan, Marked with Chinese Company Name

According to a report from Tokyo on the 13th by Central News Agency, a giant pipe has washed ashore on the coast of Shika Town in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The pipe bears the name of a Chinese company, but its ownership and origin remain unclear. The prefectural government announced that removal operations will begin on June 15.

Kyodo News reported that the pipe is estimated to weigh approximately 300 tons, with a length of about 150 meters and a maximum diameter of around 2 meters. It is believed to have been used for dredging operations.

Ishikawa Prefecture stated that on December 17 of the previous year, Shika Town reported spotting an object resembling a pipe floating at sea. The object later drifted ashore, prompting authorities to initiate removal efforts for public safety and environmental protection.

NHK reported that the removal process will involve cutting the pipe into sections before transporting it via specialized vehicles to a waste disposal facility. Weather and sea conditions may affect the schedule, but the operation is expected to be completed by autumn this year.

The prefectural government estimates the total cost of removal at approximately 50 million yen. As the origin remains unidentified, the party responsible for covering the costs has not yet been determined. However, the prefecture emphasized that public safety is the top priority and that work will proceed accordingly.

The circumstances under which the pipe entered the ocean, as well as which company or vessel may be responsible, remain under investigation. The prefecture plans to cooperate with relevant agencies to trace the source and strengthen monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The arrival of large-scale marine debris poses risks not only to the environment and fisheries but also to local tourism. Ishikawa Prefecture is considering establishing an early warning system in collaboration with local municipalities and fishing cooperatives to respond more effectively to future incidents.