Dr.Teruo Higa’s
Living A Dream

The cleanup of the Dotonbori River using EM Genki Balls (EM Mudballs) conducted by the Osaka Fisheries Cooperative twenty years ago (2003) was a great success. The activities were later taken over by the SPC group, and today the Dotonbori is a clean river with large schools of carp. A symbol of Osaka, the Dotonbori River used to emit a foul odor, but now it is a pleasant place to stroll, and restaurants and shopping streets that once closed off the riverfront have been remodeled so their frontage faces the riverside, turning it into a waterfront park-like setting and transforming the river into a new landmark in Osaka. The number of E. coli bacteria in the river is less than 1,000/ml and the river is now safe for swimming.

Through this project, EM has been continuously applied into most of Osaka’s major rivers, including the Yodo River, Neyagawa River, and Yamato River over a long period of time, and Osaka’s rivers have now been cleaned up. As a result, fishery resources, including whitebait, as well as Shijimi, freshwater clams, have recovered significantly and have become a new specialty of the city.

The Hawaii Genki Ala Wai Project is a project to clean up rivers and nature using a group of beneficial bacteria known as EM, effective microorganisms. HIS Hawaii received an Encouragement Award for its travel program that provides company team-building opportunities for travelers to work together during their stay in Hawaii to make Genki Balls (EM Mudballs) and help clean up the Ala Wai Canal.

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What is the JATA SDGs Award?
JATA, Japan Association of Travel Agents, a general incorporated association that works to expand demand for travel and promote the healthy development of the travel industry, has been holding the JATA SDGs Awards since 2023. The JATA SDGs Awards are designed to promote the achievement of SDGs in the travel industry. There are four categories: Social & Human Rights, Economy & Industry, Global Environment, and Co-Creation, each of which includes an Excellence Award, a Special Award, and an Encouragement Award.

▼The four initiatives and that won the JATA SDGs Awards for Excellence

The cleanup of the Ala Wai Canal Project also had a significant impact on many involved parties as the Genki Ala Wai Project participated in the World EM Mudball Day event held annually on August 8th. This activity has gradually strengthened social ties, and with the active cooperation of the Ritz-Carlton, has become international, and is now developed into a new environmental learning tour.

The next case was featured in the University of Hawaii news and pioneered a fun, educational sightseeing tour.