'Coastal Access Rights Movement' Website Launched

Hiroshi Takasaki, a Christian minister from Takasago City in Hyogo Prefecture who has for years supported a citizens' campaign to restore natural beaches along the Seto Inland Sea, launched a website that provides information on Japan's coastal access rights movement on July 4, 2005. Rev. Takasaki feels a sense of responsibility to collect and disclose relevant information regarding the Coastal Access Rights Movement, which has influenced environmental movements and government responses in Japan. The information on the website includes the declaration on coastal access rights, lists of related materials, a chronological table of related events and several essays authored by Rev. Takasaki.

The Coastal Access Rights Movement emerged during the 1960s and 1970s when policies promoting rapid economic growth accelerated environmental destruction and increased environmental pollution through the building of factories on landfill sites along the coastline. The declaration by the citizens of Takasago City evolved into national movements to stop pollution, and to protect and restore the natural environment, while developing through the interdisciplinary cooperation of scholars in jurisprudence, folklore, sociology and environmental planning.

The Coastal Access Right Declaration, issued on February 21, 1975, reads:
"From ancient times, the sea has belonged to the people. Their rights to stroll along the beaches, enjoy the scenery, fish, and swim in its waters, or draw water, collect driftwood, dig shellfish, and collect seaweed to earn their daily bread are far older rights than the law that allows individuals to possess land. And it is thought that the rights of common use of shelter-belt forests along the coastline are equally as old. We hereby name these rights our Common Tideland Use Rights...We hereby declare our Common Tideland Use Rights as the basis for our movement to eradicate pollution, to protect the natural environment from destruction, and to restore the natural environment that has been harmed."

http://homepage3.nifty.com/eternal-life/irihama.htm

Posted: 2006/03/31 11:21:11 PM
Japanese version