[Media Invitation] Roundtable for Foreign Press and Embassy Representatives: Introducing the Kobe Recycled Phosphorus Project
2024.08.27
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Kobe City's World-Class, Progressive SDGs Initiatives:
Introducing the Kobe Recycled Phosphorus Project
- A sustainable local model of phosphorus fertilizer production
- Japanese Sake using sake rice grown with recycled phosphorus fertilizer will be available for tasting.
- Date/Time: Friday, September 6, 14:00–15:15 (reception opens 13:30)
- Venue: Marunouchi Building Conference Square (8F)
Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward, Marunouchi 2-4-1
- Open to Foreign media, sustainability experts, embassy representatives, etc.
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[How to apply]
Please send the following information by e-mail. *Application deadline: September 5 (Thu) 17:00
Address: sc@fpcjpn.or.jp (Ayako Sato, Foreign Press Center Japan)
(1) Organization
(2) Department
(3) Participant's name
(4) Phone number (for contact on the day of the event)
(5) Email
(6) Camera Equipment: TV/Still
(7) Participant's name(s) other than (3) above
(8) Notes
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In 2011, Kobe City launched the Kobe Recycled Phosphorus Project, a groundbreaking new initiative to extract phosphorus from wastewater, working with stakeholders including fertilizer manufacturers and JA Hyogo Rokko to create and commercialize a new sustainable fertilizer.
Driven by a desire to move Kobe forward through new technologies in the aftermath of the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the initiative mobilized various stakeholders, reaching a major milestone in 2015 with the commercial launch of Kobe Harvest Fertilizer. In the years since, this sustainable agricultural supplement has also been central to the launch of a local vegetable brand named Kobe Shunsai, and is also used for Kinu-musume branded rice served
in local public elementary schools.
Having begun as a local resource-focused circular production initiative, since 2021 the Kobe Recycled Phosphorus Project has also played a key role in securing Japan’s wider food security, providing domestic farmers with an affordable, reliable solution in the face of reduced availability and soaring prices on the global fertilizer market.
On September 6 in Tokyo, Mayor of Kobe Hisamoto Kizo will be joined by representatives of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Kobe Harvest Fertilizer manufacturing partner Swing Corporation, and regional agricultural association JA Hyogo Rokko, to discuss the achievements and future potential of this unique multi-stakeholder initiative bringing benefits to local resources management, agriculture, and consumers alike.
＜ Roundtable overview ＞
Organizer: Kobe City & Kyodo Public Relations in association with Foreign Press Center Japan
Date/Time: Friday, September 6, 14:00–15:15 (reception opens 13:30)
Venue: Marunouchi Building Conference Square (8F)
Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward, Marunouchi 2-4-1
Speakers:
- HISAMOTO Kizo, Mayor of Kobe
- YOSHIMATSU Tatsuhiro, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Water and Disaster Management Bureau, Water Resources Dept.
- KUMAGAI Tsukasa, Swing Corporation
- INOSHIMA Tsugutomo, JA Hyogo Rokko
Presentations/content
1) Kobe City
Local area & challenges, agriculture, rural revitalization initiatives
2) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Wastewater resource extraction
3) Kobe City
Project aims, defining features, achievements (school meal provision, etc.)
4) Swing Corporation
Background to partnership, pivoting from plant construction to fertilizer
production, distribution etc. challenges faced so far
5) JA Hyogo Rokko
Reception from local farmers, agricultural business benefits, etc.
6) Discussion session
Open to: Media, sustainability experts, embassy representatives, etc.
Languages: Japanese, with simultaneous interpretation in English
(Kobe City presentations to be conducted in English)
*Booth exhibits and sake tasting using sake rice grown with Kobe Recycled Phosphorus as fertilizer in the production process are planned.
[Enquiries]
This invitation is disseminated by Kyodo PR on behalf of Kobe City. For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact:
kobe-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp
davidhoward.mcmahon@kyodo-pr.co.jp | Tel: (+81) 080-8914-9376
