On October 31, 2025, the 19th Osaka University Joint Research Symposium was held, hosted by Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering, titled "Live Locally, Grow Globally - The Origins of Osaka University and the Diversity of Collaboration." Approximately 70 experts from across the country participated. The three-party collaboration initiative of Osaka Prefecture Department of Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering, and FURUNO presented as the "Zero Marine Litter Osaka Designing The Future"

Kwansei Gakuin High School, which participated in the "Marine Future Project"* (hosted by Nishinomiya Municipal High School, bringing together high schools in the Hanshin area to discuss marine plastic litter), conducted underwater litter detection experiments using fish finders around the Muko River estuary as part of their independent research to visualize litter flowing through rivers into the sea.
Our technical staff also cooperated with the research, providing guidance on how targets appear on fish finders, and mutually discussing and examining the possibility of distinguishing between fish and other targets.
The fish finder sensor was installed facing the opposite bank of the river to evaluate whether it could detect the passage of litter underwater. Since this was the second field evaluation, emphasis was placed on enhancing knowledge by imagining what kind of movements were occurring based on the reactions of underwater moving targets (fish, litter, bubbles, etc.), in addition to learning how to operate the fish finder.

*The "Marine Future Project" was supported by Osaka Prefecture Department of Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering as instructors, based on the three-party collaboration agreement

FURUNO, Osaka Prefecture Department of Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering cooperated with the "Marine Future Project" launched by Nishinomiya Municipal High School in Hyogo Prefecture, an SSH (Super Science High School) designated school. Thirty-three students from five high schools in the Hanshin area gathered at FURUNO's South Wing, where they participated in lectures, practical training, and group discussions, divided into groups to set themes, and presented the current issues they identified.

Purpose

1. To conduct fixed-point observations centered on the estuary areas of designated rivers, continuously investigating the seabed (water depth) conditions and the relationship between salinity and water temperature. Additionally, to visually confirm the status of surface litter.
2. To explore the possibility of understanding litter from various perspectives by continuously conducting fixed-point observations from various viewpoints, aiming to visualize the trends of litter flowing from rivers to the sea and the seabed accumulation status.
3. Conducted 3-4 times per year.
4. This is a preparatory stage for fixed-point observations, exploring how data should be continuously acquired.

The Yamato River Water Environment Council hosted "Clean Ocean Quest in Sakaihama," a resident-participation cleanup event where participants enjoyed cleanup activities in a game-like manner. Osaka University and FURUNO also cooperated with this initiative as part of the "Zero Marine Litter Osaka: Designing the Future" The event, which had a total of 60 participants, was operated by the Kada-Tomogashima Environmental Strategy Research Association. Many children participated while enjoying the game-like litter collection. Additionally, current marine litter issues were introduced in a seminar format, providing an opportunity for parents and children, and friends to imagine the future of the sea together.

Beginning with an introduction to "Ocean 5.0," FURUNO's vision of the future sea in 2050, the presentation covered the company's marine OCEAN DX's initiatives and collaboration with Osaka Prefecture Department of Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering in tackling environmental challenges together.

Osaka Prefecture Department of Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering, and FURUNO signed a business collaboration agreement to promote marine plastic litter countermeasures, including field surveys of plastic litter flowing into Osaka Bay, information dissemination to residents, and awareness activities, to create a future of "Zero Marine Litter Osaka"