JT Provides Guiding Light in Clean-Up Campaign

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 07/10/2009

Japan Tobacco Inc. is to stage one of its community clean-up events and provide facilities for smokers on the Tokara Islands when, later this month, the islands will see an influx of tourists intent on watching a major solar eclipse. The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century will occur over Asia on July 22 and the Tokara Islands will provide a prime location for viewing it. JT's '2009 Tokara Total Solar Eclipse Pick Up and You Will Love Your City' community clean-up event will be hosted by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. Ltd. in co-operation with Toshima Village and Japan's environment ministry. It will be held on seven of the islands: Kuchinoshima, Nakanoshima, Tairajima, Suwanosejima, Akusekijima, Kodakarajima and Takarajima. Garbage disposal has become an issue with the growing popularity of the islands as a destination for viewing eclipses; so residents and visitors will be asked to volunteer in the clean-up program. The anticipated size of this year's event will put pressure too on transport, accommodation and water; so JT plans to provide up to 44,400 bottles of its own brand of natural mineral water, 'Daichiga Migaita Kireina Mizu ('clean water purified by the earth') - enough to provide each person on the islands with five bottles of water a day. JT, which is expecting 1,000 volunteers to help out on the islands, will provide, as well as the water, 4,500 garbage bags, 80 dustbins, 80 standing ashtrays and 1,500 'Tokara Total Solar Eclipse' portable ashtrays. It will also establish designated smoking areas. First introduced in May 2004, the community clean-ups are held at various events and festivals across Japan in such a way as to promote community and environmental values through voluntary civic involvement. The activities are carried out in co-operation with various groups, including local authorities and schools. To date, about 900,000 people have participated in such events. Enditem