Think about life by seeing Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa reflects our lives. We learn a lot from experiences such as the red tide problem and the soap movement, so let’s keep on working hard to protect and corporate with Lake Biwa for our future.

In 1977,a large-scale freshwater red tide occurred caused by excessive growth of the phytoplankton and the people of Shiga initiated a movement to use natural soap instead of detergents containing phosphorus.
Supported by the citizen’s great movement for saving Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture put the Ordinance for the Prevention of Eutrophication of Lake Biwa into effect ont July 1, 1980.
In the following year, July 1 was designated as ”Lake Biwa Day”. Many events and activities have been held to remind people of the importance of the Lake around Lake Biwa Day every year.
Let’s keep the soap movement int mind and keep working on what we can do to live in prosperity with Lake Biwa.

Clean Lake Biwa

Around July 1st, more than 100,000 people participate in cleaning the lake every year, a major Lake Biwa Daya event.

Bring back our rich Lake Biwa

Various activities to rid invasive alien species in and around the lake that threaten native species are an ongoing effort.

Enjoy Lake Biwa

Experience fascinating Lake Biwa more with lake leisure, lake fish food, songs about the lake, etc.

Every year in August since 2012, a Biwa comi meeting is held for people who care about Lake Biwa to exchange and share knowledge and opinions and to cheer on the numerous efforts being made for the lake.

It is important to publicize problems and solutions experienced at Lake Biwa to places with similar situations throughout the world. Also, we need to build a sustainable lifestyle model with the lake to reach the goals the United Nations has set internationally.

World Lake Conference

Through this conference, advocated for by Shiga Prefecture in 1984, scientists, government authorities and ordinary citizens gather to discuss environmental problems and solutions for lakes. Since then, every 2 years or so the conference has been held in 11 countries, centering on the problems and relationship between lakes and humans.

SDGs(Sustainable Development Goals)

In Shiga Prefecture, the ”Sanpo Yoshi”(win win win) spirit of Omi merchants, Mr.Kazuo Itoga’s concept of well-being, or ”children are light of the world,” and activities like the soap movement show the people really care about and respect nature, others, their communities and so on. Keeping this sprit, concept and these activities in mind, it is important for us to advance to the future from an SDG point of view to pursue a sustainable future.
Sustainable Development Goals:
Goals all United Nation member nations need to achieve by 2030 with regard to poverty, starvation, energy, economic growth, climate change, etc.