Kuroshima Research Institute Research Vessel "AKARI" Donation Ceremony

A donation ceremony for the research vessel "AKARI," which was presented to the Kuroshima Research Institute of the NPO Sea Turtle Council of Japan, was held on Monday, November 7th at the Kuroshima Research Institute of the NPO Sea Turtle Council of Japan.
For more details , please see
https://www.kyk.co.jp/csr/kuroshima/ In Kinyu News, we will be focusing on the charms of Kuroshima that we were unable to cover in the main article.

Kinkai Yusen will celebrate its 100th anniversary in April 2023.

Kinkai Yusen approached its 100th anniversary, the company was exploring various events it could do, and when President Seki said, "Let's do something that will leave a lasting impression," things quickly picked up steam, and it was decided to donate the research vessel "AKARI" to the Kuroshima Research Institute.
In fact, the "AKARI" itself was handed over to the Kuroshima Research Institute in August, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the donation ceremony was postponed and finally held in November. The
weather was perfect on the day, and sea turtle enthusiasts - two from the Sea Turtle Council of Japan, two from the Kuroshima Research Institute, and Kinkai Yusen - gathered together, and the donation ceremony was carried out without a hitch.

Many of you reading this article are probably wondering, "Where is Kuroshima?"

Let's start with an explanation of Kuroshima. Kuroshima is a flat island formed by the uplift of a coral reef, located about 30 minutes by tourist ferry from Ishigaki Island. Its main industries are livestock farming and tourism. With a population of just 220 people and over 3,000 cattle, you can see just how thriving the livestock industry is. One of the reasons the livestock industry took root was the development of a water supply system. Kuroshima previously obtained its water supply by collecting rainwater, but in 1975, undersea water pumping was implemented from neighboring Iriomote Island, providing a stable supply of water. Thanks to the island's warm climate and abundant water supply, livestock farming has grown into Kuroshima's main industry.

Another industry is tourism. There is a diving shop next to the Kuroshima Research Institute, and it seems that there is no end to the number of tourists who come to enjoy the majestic and beautiful seas of the Yaeyama Islands.

In fact, after our Kinkai Yusen group had just finished the major event of the donation ceremony, we had Yaeyama soba noodles for lunch in an old house, and were given a tour of the island by the people from the Kuroshima Research Institute, the mood was one of wondering, "When will we come again?"

Even though I was there for work, I was in a completely off-mode. Taking advantage of the slightly weak smartphone signal, I left my company-issued smartphone behind and enjoyed Kuroshima to the fullest.

After returning to Ishigaki Island in the evening, the members who had participated in the donation ceremony enjoyed island sake and delicious island snacks, which was truly an extraordinary experience.

Kinkai Yusen will continue to support the activities of the Kuroshima Laboratory, and we will be posting reports on these activities in the "Kuroshima Laboratory" report on our website, so please enjoy this as well.

Finally, the chairman of the Japan Sea Turtle Council, Mr. Mzawa, is also the director of the Shikoku Aquarium in Shikoku, so if you are in the area, please be sure to stop by the aquarium.

Return to list