The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (September 14) continued his duty visit to Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture, where he learned about its work on nature conservation and sustainable development.
 
     In the morning, Mr Wong met with officials of the Ishikawa Prefectural Government to receive a briefing on the Satoyama Initiative. Jointly initiated by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies, the Satoyama Initiative aims to rebuild and maintain rural landscapes blending with nature in which natural resources are used and managed in a more sustainable manner, as well as to help conserve biodiversity.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Wong visited Shiroyone Senmaida, located in Wajima on the Noto Peninsula. With an area of 3.8 hectares, Shiroyone Senmaida consists of 1 004 small rice paddies which are in the form of terraced fields. Its sustainable mode of management is one of the highlights of the Satoyama Initiative and it is also a tourist attraction in Wajima.
 
     Afterwards, Mr Wong visited Kanakura School to see the development and promotion of eco-tourism there. Kanakura School was voluntarily formed by local residents to promote and conserve the natural landscape and traditional culture of the Kanakura community. With the efforts of the volunteers, the area has been revitalised and transformed into an "eco-museum".
 
     Yesterday (September 13), Mr Wong arrived Niigata Prefecture and met with the Mayor of Itoigawa City, Mr Toru Yoneda. He also visited the renowned Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark to share experiences in geopark management and promotion of natural landscape conservation.
 
     Mr Wong will depart for Hyogo Prefecture tomorrow (September 15) to continue his visit in Japan.

Ends/Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:30

NNNN