As Japan-Korea relations deteriorate, steady exchanges between citizens of both countries continue. In Nagasaki Prefecture, Tsushima, which floats on the border, on the 29th, a shared waste cleaning and memorial festival was held to share thoughts on history and common issues.
On the 29th on the Iguchi beach coast in northwestern Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, there was a “January 2007 Korean citizen beach cleanup” event to clean up litter by Japanese and Korean youth. Organized by the City and Busan Foreign Language University to tackle the garbage problem that drifts across the sea. About 60 students studying Japanese at the university, about 100 students from the prefectural Tsushima High School, and about 330 volunteers participated.
A large amount of plastic bottles, empty cans, foamed polystyrene, plastic container fragments, and driftwood were launched in the area. The typhoon No. 17 hit the island in late this month, and it seems that garbage increased. Participants were hand-picked and picked up, while young people had exchanges such as talking in the language of the partner country they were studying and taking pictures with their smartphones.
In Tsushima, especially on the west coast facing the Korean side, a large amount of garbage flows on the northwest wind. It is said that there is no end to the collection.
Busan Gaidai has been dispatching students to Tsushima every year since 2003, and has been cleaning the beach with the residents for the 17th time. This time the event was held in Tsushima due to the worsening aftermath of Japan-Korea relations, but the students visited the island as usual and opened a workshop for solutions after cleaning the beach. Residents said that they came very well. Mayor Hisayoshi Hida said, “Private exchange must be continued. If these activities lead to a reduction in litter”.
Busan Gaidae ’s 4th year student, Che-bum-woo, participated for the third time. “It was meaningful to be able to clean up with Tsushima people. Every time you come, it will be a good memory,” he said. Mr. Kohan Tanaka, who is a 1st-year student from Tsushima, said, “It's fun to interact with, reducing garbage, a good event. I want to spread more.” (Ryo Sasaki)
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