#Japan #Edogawa #Japan Foundation #Canoe Slalom #Lifesaving Association

New Educational Initiative for Aquatic Safety in Tokyo

The Japan Foundation is excited to announce the launch of an innovative aquatic accident prevention educational program, running from June 18, 2025, to September 11, 2025. This program will be held at the Canoe Slalom Center in Edogawa Ward, a legacy site from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The primary goal is to equip participants with essential judgment and action skills necessary for drowning prevention through realistic experiences that classroom settings cannot provide.

Overview of the Program

Participants, primarily targeted at teachers, instructors, and members of the general public aged eight years and older, will engage in simulations recreating a variety of aquatic environments, including those found in natural bodies of water such as seas and rivers. Unlike conventional swim lessons, this program is designed to immerse individuals in genuine scenarios where they can learn how to react effectively in case of an emergency. Through these experiences, knowledge and techniques necessary to enjoy water safely will be imparted.

This initiative is part of the “Umi to Nihon Project” (Sea and Japan Project) aimed at fostering future generations that inherit a beautiful and rich ocean while promoting community connections through water.

Background of the Program

In a survey conducted by the Sea Preparedness Project in 2024, several key challenges in aquatic accident prevention education were identified. Many educators expressed difficulties in teaching drowning prevention effectively due to the specialized knowledge and skills required. Furthermore, most respondents indicated that preventive education should ideally be taught by experts.

Additionally, the survey highlighted the necessity for effective instructional methods that include the use of flowing water facilities, the development of simulation tools, the promotion of life jackets, and collaboration with experts to establish comprehensive educational environments.

In response to these insights, this new program will integrate these various elements into a practical learning environment aimed at creating a model for aquatic accident prevention education that can be expanded across the country in the future.

Goals of the Program

Through this initiative, the Japan Foundation aims to foster collaboration between experts, educational institutions, and parents, ensuring children acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to enjoy water activities without fear. Following the program, participant feedback will be gathered to refine curriculum and educational resources, with future plans for regional adaptations and partnerships with educational institutions.

For those in media, a special media day featuring a trial of the program will be held on July 23, 2025, two days before World Drowning Prevention Day, allowing journalists firsthand experience in the program's activities. Media personnel can register for coverage from June 18, 2025.

Program Details

• - Program name: Umi no Sonae with Canoe Slalom
• - Duration: June 18, 2025 – September 11, 2025
• - Location: Canoe Slalom Center, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo
• - Target Audience: School teachers, instructors, and the general public (age 8 and older; children must be accompanied by a guardian, seniors are considered those aged 50+)
• - Registration Links:

General (aged 8 and older): Link
Seniors: Link
Instructors/Teachers: Link

• - Program Contents:

General/Senior programs will include:
- Life jacket usage and demonstrations on rip currents
- Skills for floating, rescue techniques, and survival swimming
- Rafting experiences as part of the general program

• - Participation Fee:

- General (adult/children): 1,000 yen per person, with an additional systems fee of 180 yen at the time of registration.
- Free for teachers and instructors.

• - Organizers:

- Japan Lifesaving Association
- Co-Hosted by Japan Foundation, Umi Rai Environment Foundation, and Japan Water Accident Rescue Association
- Instructional Support from River Foundation and NGOs

This project is a consortium-style initiative coordinated by the Japan Foundation, aiming to set a new standard for aquatic safety education over three years. With a goal to reduce drowning accidents, the initiative seeks to challenge existing safety norms and share scientifically-backed information and education programs to foster a self-driven consciousness for drowning prevention among the public.

For more information, please visit the Umi no Sonae Project.