This Summer, Why Not Host Your Own "Dialogue-Based Litter Picking"? "Umigome" Program, 3rd Term Recruitment Starts
issue+design has started recruiting participants for the 3rd term of its "Umigome" dialogue-based litter picking program. This program aims to address the root causes of marine debris through workshops held online, fostering deeper understanding and connecting participants to local marine litter reduction actions.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 16:00
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issue+design (Specified Non-profit Organization issue+design: Tokyo), which works to solve social issues through design, will hold online workshops for its "Umigome" dialogue-based litter picking program.
Marine debris, no matter how much is collected, never seems to decrease. Approximately 80% of marine debris is said to be plastic waste, etc., generated in urban areas and flowing into the sea via rivers. Behind this lies the reality that we, as a society that generates "waste" itself, are not confronting what is happening.
Therefore, by organizing and classifying the fallen litter and identifying the "feelings" within each of us that lead to generating waste, we have discovered 15 types of "Umigome" connected to waste.
There are various types of Umigome. It is said that there are still unidentified Umigome yet to be discovered.
The "Umigome" dialogue-based litter picking program utilizes these "Umigome" to collect nearby litter, classify and visualize the "feelings connected to waste" in our society that emerge from that litter, and thereby confront the social structure that generates marine debris. This program involves actually picking up nearby litter and deepening learning through dialogue among participants.
(This term will be held online only)
We classify the collected litter based on the feelings of people when they discarded it. While reflecting on the circumstances in which the litter was found, we consider why waste is generated. At the end of the workshop, each person expresses and bids farewell to one "feeling connected to waste" within themselves.
This is the third time the practical program will be held. Participants in this program, many of whom joined last year and expanded the circle, will be able to implement the Umigome dialogue-based litter picking program in their respective local areas.
This project is supported by a grant from The Nippon Foundation.
3rd Term (Summer 2026) Overview
In the 3rd term, we will hold the "Umigome" program (Introductory Course), where participants actually pick up litter and engage in dialogue, and a study session & strategy meeting (Practical Course) to utilize the "Umigome" program to connect to actions for reducing marine debris in their own regions, both online.
────────────────────
"Umigome" Dialogue-Based Litter Picking Program (Introductory Course)
────────────────────
After actually picking up litter in your residential area, participants will engage in dialogue to consider the current state of marine debris and the social background of its generation, using the "Umigome" workbook.
Workbooks will be mailed in advance, and the program will be conducted online. You can participate from your residential area.
Date & Time: June 24 (Wednesday) 10:00-12:00 (Doors open 9:50)
Location: Online meeting app ZOOM
Application: Details here
────────────────────
"Umigome" Study Session & Strategy Meeting (Practical Course)
────────────────────
After deepening their learning about "Umigome," participants will consider how to reduce marine debris by utilizing the "Umigome" workshop program in their respective regions.
Date & Time: July 2, 2026 (Thursday) 13:30-16:30 (Doors open 13:20)
Location: Online meeting app ZOOM
Conditions: ・Those who have participated in an Umigome workshop at least once
・Those who intend to utilize Umigome in the field
Application: Details here
Organizer & Planner | issue+design
"Citizen creativity for social challenges." This social design project started in 2008 with this motto. Citizens, government, and businesses participate to tackle social issues facing regions, Japan, and the world, using the power of design's beauty and empathy. They have implemented numerous design projects to solve regional issues through diverse approaches with government and companies, including "Dekimasu Zekken" (Volunteer Vests) to support volunteers in the Great East Japan Earthquake, "Oyako Kenko Techo" (Parent-Child Health Handbook) to support pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, "Community Travel Guide" for enjoying encounters with people, "Comprehensive Plan Created by All in Sagawa Town, Kochi Prefecture" envisioning the future of the region with 300 residents, and "Walking Through the World of Dementia" visualizing the world experienced by people with dementia.
https://issueplusdesign.jp/
Grant | The Nippon Foundation Ocean
The Ocean Affairs Department promotes projects to "pass on a rich ocean to the next generation," a common global challenge. International efforts related to the sea and ships, which are also the origin of The Nippon Foundation, are connected to the world and the future.
Marine debris, no matter how much is collected, never seems to decrease. Approximately 80% of marine debris is said to be plastic waste, etc., generated in urban areas and flowing into the sea via rivers. Behind this lies the reality that we, as a society that generates "waste" itself, are not confronting what is happening.
Therefore, by organizing and classifying the fallen litter and identifying the "feelings" within each of us that lead to generating waste, we have discovered 15 types of "Umigome" connected to waste.
There are various types of Umigome. It is said that there are still unidentified Umigome yet to be discovered.
The "Umigome" dialogue-based litter picking program utilizes these "Umigome" to collect nearby litter, classify and visualize the "feelings connected to waste" in our society that emerge from that litter, and thereby confront the social structure that generates marine debris. This program involves actually picking up nearby litter and deepening learning through dialogue among participants.
(This term will be held online only)
We classify the collected litter based on the feelings of people when they discarded it. While reflecting on the circumstances in which the litter was found, we consider why waste is generated. At the end of the workshop, each person expresses and bids farewell to one "feeling connected to waste" within themselves.
This is the third time the practical program will be held. Participants in this program, many of whom joined last year and expanded the circle, will be able to implement the Umigome dialogue-based litter picking program in their respective local areas.
This project is supported by a grant from The Nippon Foundation.
3rd Term (Summer 2026) Overview
In the 3rd term, we will hold the "Umigome" program (Introductory Course), where participants actually pick up litter and engage in dialogue, and a study session & strategy meeting (Practical Course) to utilize the "Umigome" program to connect to actions for reducing marine debris in their own regions, both online.
────────────────────
"Umigome" Dialogue-Based Litter Picking Program (Introductory Course)
────────────────────
After actually picking up litter in your residential area, participants will engage in dialogue to consider the current state of marine debris and the social background of its generation, using the "Umigome" workbook.
Workbooks will be mailed in advance, and the program will be conducted online. You can participate from your residential area.
Date & Time: June 24 (Wednesday) 10:00-12:00 (Doors open 9:50)
Location: Online meeting app ZOOM
Application: Details here
────────────────────
"Umigome" Study Session & Strategy Meeting (Practical Course)
────────────────────
After deepening their learning about "Umigome," participants will consider how to reduce marine debris by utilizing the "Umigome" workshop program in their respective regions.
Date & Time: July 2, 2026 (Thursday) 13:30-16:30 (Doors open 13:20)
Location: Online meeting app ZOOM
Conditions: ・Those who have participated in an Umigome workshop at least once
・Those who intend to utilize Umigome in the field
Application: Details here
Organizer & Planner | issue+design
"Citizen creativity for social challenges." This social design project started in 2008 with this motto. Citizens, government, and businesses participate to tackle social issues facing regions, Japan, and the world, using the power of design's beauty and empathy. They have implemented numerous design projects to solve regional issues through diverse approaches with government and companies, including "Dekimasu Zekken" (Volunteer Vests) to support volunteers in the Great East Japan Earthquake, "Oyako Kenko Techo" (Parent-Child Health Handbook) to support pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, "Community Travel Guide" for enjoying encounters with people, "Comprehensive Plan Created by All in Sagawa Town, Kochi Prefecture" envisioning the future of the region with 300 residents, and "Walking Through the World of Dementia" visualizing the world experienced by people with dementia.
https://issueplusdesign.jp/
Grant | The Nippon Foundation Ocean
The Ocean Affairs Department promotes projects to "pass on a rich ocean to the next generation," a common global challenge. International efforts related to the sea and ships, which are also the origin of The Nippon Foundation, are connected to the world and the future.