Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) welcomes the World Environment Day on June 5, 2017 with a collaborative event with UN Environment (United Nations Environment Programme), the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

Nippon TV participated in the video campaign for the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), promoted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and became Japan's first commercial television broadcaster to collaborate with UN. World Environment Day 2017 is Nippon TV's second collaborative effort with the UN family.

Coincidentally, Nippon TV's weather mascot Sorajiro is welcoming his 10th anniversary on air. Famous for having kept busy with various issues including eco conservation, the environment, disaster prevention, and education, Sorajiro celebrates his 10th anniversary by partnering with the UN Environment to promote ecological awareness leading up to World Environment Day.

■ Sora Fest & UN Environment Special Talk Shows

Event logo

The talk shows will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th as part of Sorajiro's 10th anniversary commemorative event "Sora Fest & UN Environment Special Stage." Meteorologist Mr. Minoru Kihara, Sorajiro, Potsurin, and Kumojiro, the faces of the "news every." weather segments, welcome a special guest from the UN Environment for special talk shows that address the question, "What is World Environment Day?" Their discussion on the environment and eco conservation is sure to be easy to understand, fun, and educational.

Sora Fest offers workshops where participants can learn how to make picture frames using waste materials from flip boards that were used in Nippon TV programs, as well as create original eco bags. What's more, there is even a Sorajiro Festival in the works. Sora Fest promises to be an event where children could learn about the environment
with enjoyment.

■ Sorajiro　Anime　& UN Environment

Sorajiro's anime segment "We All Love Sorajiro!" airs regularly from Mondays to Fridays on Nippon TV infotainment shows "news every." (late afternoons) and "Oha!4" (early mornings).

As part of its collaboration with UN Environment, Nippon TV will air World Environment Day specials over three weeks! The first special was "Let's Learn 3R," which aired on Tuesday, May 23rd. Two more special episodes are in store.

■ Message from Mr. Keith Alverson, PhD, Director of UN Environment International Environmental Technology Centre

"June 5th is World Environment Day.
Our theme this year is "I'm with Nature." The environment brings us many things. It gives us the air we breathe, the water we drink, quality of life, and health.

We're tempted many times to buy things, use them, and throw them away, but that's not sustainable. We've got to think about reducing our use of the environment, reusing the things that we already have, repairing them, and when that's not possible, recycling.

We don't want to waste the services and the goods that the environment gives us. We want a healthy environment to drive a healthy economy. That's why we don't waste. Our motto is "Mottainai!" (What a waste!).

It's an honor to collaborate with Nippon TV on World Environment Day. I hope we can continue to work together to promote environmental protection. Happy World Environment Day on June 5th!

From left: Mr. Minoru Kihara, Mr. Keith Alverson, PhD, Sorajiro

About the United Nations Environment Programme's International Environmental Technology Centre

Based in Osaka, Japan, UN Environment International Environmental Technology Centre promotes the understanding and usage of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) globally.

The International Environmental Technology Centre implements a holistic and comprehensive approach to waste management, as well as various initiatives on using Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) in waste management in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.