Kick-off Event for 'Umigomi Zero Week 2026' Hosted by The Nippon Foundation and Ministry of the Environment: Ikebukuro to Host a Cleanup Event with Cosplayers to Boost Excitement! 'Cosplay de Umigomi Zero Daisakusen 2026' Recruitment Begins!

The World Cosplay Cultural Promotion Association (Chairman: Chizuko Amano) will hold 'Cosplay de Umigomi Zero Daisakusen 2026' in Ikebukuro on Saturday, May 30, 2026. With the cooperation of The Nippon Foundation, the World Cosplay Cultural Promotion Association has been promoting activities since 2019 to widely publicize the marine litter problem with cosplayers who have high social media influence, in order to protect 'the future of the sea,' which is also a popular photo spot for cosplayers, and to expand the circle of efforts against marine litter issues. On the day of the event, various cosplayers will gather and collectively clean up garbage throughout the streets of Ikebukuro, making the town beautiful! Afterwards, participants can enjoy free cosplay photography in Ikebukuro. Please join 'Cosplay de Umigomi Zero Daisakusen,' a unique kick-off event for 'Umigomi Zero Week'! Applications will be accepted from 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 9, via the URL below. URL: https://umigomi-cos-ikebukuro2026.peatix.com Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Changing rooms open at 8:30 AM) Part 1: 10:00 AM - Umigomi Zero Week Kick-off Opening Ceremony Part 2: 11:00 AM - Garbage Cleanup Part 3: 12:00 PM - Cosplay Photography & Town Stroll Changing room available hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM As a kick-off for 'Umigomi Zero Week,' which will be held nationwide from May 30 (Sat) to June 8 (Mon), an opening ceremony will be conducted. The 'UMIGOMI-ZERO Declaration' will be announced as an opening statement. Scenes from 'Cosplay de Umigomi Zero Daisakusen 2025 Autumn' (May 31, 2025) All participants will collectively clean up garbage in areas with a particularly high amount of litter. Let's liven up 'Cosplay de Umigomi Zero Daisakusen' together in Ikebukuro, a town beloved by pop culture fans! After the cleanup, participants can enjoy cosplay photography and strolling through the now clean streets of Ikebukuro. East Ikebukuro Central Park Even a single blue accent is fine! Let's all wear something blue, the theme color, and participate in the cleanup and cosplay photography together. On the day, blue tote bags and drinking water will be distributed as participant certificates, and all garbage collection equipment will be provided, so please feel free to join. Title: 'Umigomi Zero Week 2026' Kick-off Event Cosplay de Umigomi Zero Daisakusen 2026 at Ikebukuro Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Venue: Opening Ceremony: East Ikebukuro Central Park; Garbage Cleanup: Around Ikebukuro; Cosplay Photography & Town Stroll: East Ikebukuro Central Park, around Ikebukuro Campaign Organizers: The Nippon Foundation, Ministry of the Environment Event Organizer: World Cosplay Cultural Promotion Association Campaign Endorsement: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Special Website: https://umigomi-cosplay.com/daisakusen/ Official X: https://twitter.com/cosplay_umigomi ■ About Umigomi Zero Week 'Umigomi Zero Week' is a nationwide simultaneous cleanup campaign aimed at reducing marine litter, implemented since 2019. Free original garbage bags are sent to organizations conducting cleanup activities, supporting and promoting cleanup efforts nationwide. *A minimum of 30 participants per organization is required (cumulative number of cleanup participations can also be 30 or more). In 2026, 'Umigomi Zero Week' is set from Saturday, May 30 (Garbage Zero Day) to Monday, June 8 (Environment Day and World Oceans Day), encompassing three commemorative days. Special Website: https://uminohi.jp/umigomi/zeroweek/ ■ About Initiatives with Cosplayers Many cosplayers, who embody characters from manga, anime, and games, proactively pick up garbage daily to ensure that the locations they use for photography remain clean. The World Cosplay Cultural Promotion Association conducts marine litter reduction activities with cosplayers who have environmental awareness and strong social media influence. *Note: Regarding 'Cosplay' and 'Kaso' (fancy dress) Activities like wearing character costumes and enjoying makeup during events like Halloween are categorized as 'kaso' (fancy dress) and are distinguished from 'cosplay.' In cosplay events, nuisances and disruptive behaviors (such as those often reported at Shibuya Halloween) or large amounts of garbage left behind after events are rarely seen.