Japan city, MUFG Bank to launch satellite-based study of local dolphins

KUMAMOTO, Japan – The Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's MUFG Bank announced Thursday plans to collaborate with Amakusa city in Kumamoto Prefecture to initiate a satellite-based study of approximately 200 dolphins inhabiting waters off the city's coast. This endeavor aims to analyze the relationship between the marine environment and dolphin sightings, with the ultimate goal of fostering eco-friendly tourist boat operations and environmental conservation efforts.

The initiative follows a 9 million yen ($57,000) donation from MUFG Bank last year to support an ongoing dolphin survey project in Amakusa, which has been running since fiscal 2022. In April, the city commenced analyzing seawater temperatures and other data, with satellite analysis of sightseeing boats' navigation data and dolphins' behavior set to commence later this month.

Amakusa, an island group situated about 60 kilometers southwest of Kumamoto city, boasts stunning coastal scenery. The mayor of Amakusa, Shoji Baba, expressed concerns about the potential decline of dolphin populations due to the loss of seaweed beds, which are critical to the region's fish populations. He emphasized the city's intention to develop countermeasures based on research findings to address this issue.

In the long term, MUFG Bank plans to leverage the marine database generated from this project in sectors like fisheries and education.