Project Background and Objectives

Mishima city in Shizuoka prefecture is called Water City Mishima and it used to have wonderful water environment with fountains connected to Mt. Fuji in many places in the city. However, industrial activities in the upper area since 1960 decreased the amount of underground water and the a lot of fountains in the city disappeared. Even the citizens of Mishima, who love the water, caused environmental deterioration of rivers in the city, and the rivers have been in danger of extinction.

Thereupon, the Yusui Mishima was established in 1991 to get Water City Mishima back and regenerate the regional natural resources and beautiful scenery.

Project Abstract and Effects of Project

The Genpei River Revived

The river Genpei, running through Mishima city, was dirty with rubbish until 7 years ago. However, the Yusui Mishima made efforts to revive the water environment and it finally turned to be very beautiful thanks to partnership with the local government, citizens and companies.

The citizens of Mishima proposed creative maintenance plans for the river; they made efforts to make the river more natural and the Water Concourse, which enables us to walk in the river, was created. Clean-up of the river was done twice a month for the past 3 years and the organisation contributed to the regeneration of the water environment.

The local government crystallised the citizens’ ideas. It also increased opportunities of workshops in the process of the river regeneration. In general, administration tends to do public works in a self-righteous way, taking account of little voice of citizens. However, the local government carried out right-about-face of the administrative policy and forward public works in cooperation with the citizens by actively involving them into public works and offering more information on public works.

Companies provided cool water supplementarily in winter, when fountain becomes less available. As a result, the water environment was revived and it became possible to maintain the ecosystem all year around. The Yusui Mishina functioned as an agent among the citizens, the local government and companies, considering their situations and roles on the project.

Various Activities Concerning Water

Beyond that, the Yusui Mishima has been working on underground water conservation, the maintenance and management of the river environment and enlightenment and practical activities concerning the water environment conservation as well. Listed below are the details.

• Promotion of cultivating underground water and saving water to keep water resources
• Promotion of projects to hand down culture concerning water and then, utilise for community development
• Offer of opportunities to learn about water and of information on water
• Opening of events concerning water
• Promotion of the environment conservation of Mt. Fuji

As a result, Mishima citizens’ awareness of Mishima’s water increased and the Yusui Mishima, in cooperation with the Mishima Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has played an important role to realise the development of the town, utilising its water.

Distinctive Features of Project (Factors and Keys to Success)

The biggest feature of the activity is: the organisation as a forerunner in Japan used the ideas of the Groundwork Trust, which aims to improve environmental condition in partnership with citizens, a government and local companies.

The organisation did practical and external activities such as clean-up of a river. In addition, it functioned as an agent among the citizens, the local government and companies, considering their situations and roles on a project. In order to better coordinate the three groups, the Groundwork Mishima Executive was established in1992. Then, a network among citizens groups was also established and the citizens groups’ town development plans and environment improvement plans were improved; the network also enabled the citizens groups to cooperate with each other and promote attractive and creative community development.

Relevant Websites

• Yusui Mishima Website: http://www.yusui.org/
• NPO Ground Work Mishima Website: http://www.gwmishima.jp/

References

• Introduction of the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Prize of The 2nd Japan Water Prize
• Yusui Mishima Website

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