Iki Blue Circular Economy Project Launches to Expand 'Sea Business'
IKI PARK MANAGEMENT, Reefball Japan, and KDDI have launched a joint project in Iki City, Nagasaki, to address fisheries challenges like aging workforce and ocean desertification. By combining sea-based experiences, IT-driven ocean monitoring, and blue carbon valuation, the project aims to establish a sustainable business model to be expanded nationwide from FY2027.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 22:49
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IKI PARK MANAGEMENT Co., Ltd. (Iki City, Nagasaki; CEO: Yoshitake Takada; 'IKI PARKS') and the General Incorporated Association Reefball Japan (CEO: Hisamichi Tayama) have announced the start of the 'Iki Blue Circular Economy Project' in collaboration with KDDI Corporation (Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Koji Matsuda) and the regional alliance 'YORIMIRAI.'
Iki City will support this project through an engagement partner agreement with KDDI to provide full administrative backing. The project addresses structural issues in Iki’s marine environment, such as the aging population of fishers, declining fish catches, and ocean desertification (isoyake). By integrating three pillars—Sea Business experiences, ocean visualization/management, and blue carbon valuation—the project aims to create a business model where ocean conservation directly leads to revenue, employment, and education.
### Project Overview
(1) Name: Iki Blue Circular Economy Project
(2) Catchphrase: 'Actions to protect the sea will build Iki’s future.'
(3) Three Main Pillars:
1. Sea Business: Development and sales of experience/training programs based on ocean protection. Enhancing the value of Iki’s marine products.
2. Ocean Management & Operation: Fixed-point observation of fishing grounds and seaweed beds using drones, sensors, and AI. Continuous monitoring of environmental changes through data visualization.
3. Environmental Valuation: Calculating and recording CO2 absorption (blue carbon). Future sales of environmental value through systems like J-Blue Credit.
### Roadmap
- FY2025: Program development, demonstration of fixed-point observation, and system construction.
- FY2026: Full-scale monetization and corporate collaboration; accumulation of marine environmental data.
- FY2027: Establishment of an integrated model and commencement of expansion to other regions.
This project is part of the 'YORIMIRAI' alliance, launched in August 2025, which combines assets and expertise from various industries to solve regional challenges through sustainable schemes.
Iki City will support this project through an engagement partner agreement with KDDI to provide full administrative backing. The project addresses structural issues in Iki’s marine environment, such as the aging population of fishers, declining fish catches, and ocean desertification (isoyake). By integrating three pillars—Sea Business experiences, ocean visualization/management, and blue carbon valuation—the project aims to create a business model where ocean conservation directly leads to revenue, employment, and education.
### Project Overview
(1) Name: Iki Blue Circular Economy Project
(2) Catchphrase: 'Actions to protect the sea will build Iki’s future.'
(3) Three Main Pillars:
1. Sea Business: Development and sales of experience/training programs based on ocean protection. Enhancing the value of Iki’s marine products.
2. Ocean Management & Operation: Fixed-point observation of fishing grounds and seaweed beds using drones, sensors, and AI. Continuous monitoring of environmental changes through data visualization.
3. Environmental Valuation: Calculating and recording CO2 absorption (blue carbon). Future sales of environmental value through systems like J-Blue Credit.
### Roadmap
- FY2025: Program development, demonstration of fixed-point observation, and system construction.
- FY2026: Full-scale monetization and corporate collaboration; accumulation of marine environmental data.
- FY2027: Establishment of an integrated model and commencement of expansion to other regions.
This project is part of the 'YORIMIRAI' alliance, launched in August 2025, which combines assets and expertise from various industries to solve regional challenges through sustainable schemes.
FAQ
What specifically is 'Sea Business' in Iki?
It refers to commercializing tourism, experiences, and environmental conservation using coastal resources. In Iki, this includes educational programs for children and managing seaweed beds using drones.
Can the general public participate in this project?
Yes, once the 'Sea Business Experience Programs' are developed, people from both inside and outside the island will be able to join fishing experiences and environmental learning.
What is the benefit for KDDI in cooperating with this project?
By applying Starlink and IoT to actual regional challenges, they can demonstrate the value of their infrastructure and build a business model for expansion to other regions.