Date and Time: Monday February 26, 2024 3:00p.m.-４:00p.m.

Venue: Yamashina Institute for Ornithology

Attendees:

(Yamashina) Hiroshi Mibu, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Shin Tanahashi, Secretary-General; Ko Hirao, Public Relations Counsilor; Shinbo and Yamaoka, Public Relations Officers

(AIRA) President Kitajima, Vice President Murakoshi, Secretariat Sakazume <Total of 8 attendees>  (No23-21)

AIRA supports the conservation activities for Short-tailed Albatross led by the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology.

The institute has been working on population recoveries of the endangered Short-tailed Albatross including the Decoy Operation on Torishima Island operated in 1991. As of now (2023), the operation achieved significant results with the population of Short-tailed Albatross increasing to 7,900 individuals．

AIRA supports the efforts and aims to promote international understanding through the Short-tailed Albatross. To achieve this goal, AIRA sets up  "Short-tailed Albatross Donation Boxes" conducting fundraising activities at the venue of the "Abiko International Exchange Festival".

At the 31st festival held last year, a total of 10,288 yen was collected in donations.  AIRA donated this money to the institute along with contributions from officers.

During the discussion meeting, Vice Chairman Murakoshi raised various topics including AIRA's activities, the increasing number of foreigners in the city, Chuo Gakuin High School's participation in the Koshien baseball tournament, and the recognition of Abiko as a TV drama's pilgrimage.

(Translated by Takashi Kobayashi)