Interview with three members of the green bird Okayama Team
We spoke with Kikutake Yuki, leader of the green bird Okayama Team; Kanetaka Maria, its student leader; and Suzuki Yuya, who has been taking part for the past two years, about the team’s activities.
What led you to join the green bird Okayama Team
What led you to join the green bird Okayama Team, and what has your experience been like since joining?
Kikutake (surname only)
I am currently the leader of the Okayama Team.
I first took part in a green bird Okayama Team litter-picking activity seven years ago (2016).
I was looking for something I could do to contribute to society outside of work. I learned about the activities on social media and thought, “Picking up litter is something I could do,” so I decided to join.
At the time, there seemed to be few young people, and most participants appeared to be in their 30s to 50s.
As we kept going, more and more young people began joining, and the numbers grew. At one point, we had as many as 66 participants.
As we continued picking up litter, I began to feel that the amount of litter was actually decreasing.
Kanetaka (surname only)
I have been the student leader in Kurashiki since April 2023.
June 2023 will mark one year since I started taking part in the green bird Okayama Team.
Until then, I had only talked with people around my own age. Since joining the green bird Okayama Team, I have been able to communicate with people of a wide range of ages, which has been a great experience.
Also, until then, I was reluctant to do things on my own.
Since joining the green bird Okayama Team, I have felt motivated to try doing things on my own, and I have actually become able to do so.
Suzuki (surname only)
I first joined in the fall of my third year at university.
I had planned to go with a friend, but I got the date wrong and ended up going alone.
But thanks to that, I became comfortable taking part on my own, and after that I often went to litter-picking activities by myself.
Sometimes we all go to a cafe after picking up litter, and I have a great time.
I think the appeal of the green bird Okayama Team is that, precisely because you don’t know anyone, you can talk with all kinds of people and become friends with the other participants.
The green bird Okayama Team marks its 10th anniversary
I hear the green bird Okayama Team recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Kikutake
The litter-picking event for our 10th anniversary was canceled because of rain, but we held an anniversary celebration party in Okayama in March 2023.
The main purpose was to express our gratitude to the participants.
We also wanted participants to learn about the purpose of the green bird Okayama Team’s activities.
And since we had hardly been able to get together during the COVID-19 pandemic, we held it for that reason as well.
A total of 35 participants who take part in litter-picking activities at various venues across Okayama Prefecture gathered and enjoyed getting to know one another in a lively atmosphere.
Seeing people who had picked up litter in 2013 gathered with people who did so in 2023 made me feel the history of the green bird Okayama Team, and it was deeply moving.
Taking part in the Setouchi Two Day March
I hear there are events besides the regular litter-picking activities. What kinds of events have you held so far?
Kikutake
We took part in the Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March in March 2017.
It is an event where participants walk through the outskirts of Kurashiki over two days.
On the first day, we walked 40 km from Kurashiki City Hall to Kojima Station. On the second day, the 30 km course went around Mabi, Kurashiki City.
It was a grueling event, walking a total of 70 km while picking up litter, but nearly 30 people took part over the two days.
The sense of accomplishment when we reached the finish was incredible, but more than anything, I was so happy to share that moving experience with my fellow participants.
Activities in the Kasaoka Islands
What other events are there?
Kikutake
We have also carried out activities in the Kasaoka Islands.
The islands we have visited so far, from north to south, are Takashima, Shiraishi-jima Island, and Hishima.
Between 2014 and 2016, we made four trips to Takashima and Shiraishi-jima to clear weeds along the pilgrimage routes on the islands.
In July 2019, we also cleared weeds around an abandoned school on Hishima and picked up marine debris.
On remote islands such as the Kasaoka Islands, depopulation in recent years has reduced the number of people maintaining the environment, leaving weeds and marine debris unattended.
By visiting the islands, we at green bird carry out activities that help the island residents, while also informing participants about the challenges facing the islands.
Many participants have also never visited Okayama’s naturally rich islands, despite living in Okayama.
Beyond cleaning up, we enjoy watermelon-splitting together and playing in the sea. The time spent with island residents and fellow participants while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea must be truly irreplaceable.
Taking part in recovery support in Mabi
I hear you were also active during the heavy rains of July 2018.
Kikutake Yuki
The green bird Okayama Team went to Mabi to provide support for two days in August, immediately after the disaster, and for two days in September.
I remember working in the scorching heat, with temperatures above 35°C, covered in sweat and mud.
At the time, not only the Okayama Team but also green bird members from all over Japan came together to help.
More than 120 people in total.
Precisely because it is an organization with a nationwide network, it can connect with people who are far away and come to help when something happens.
We were also able to use the network to share the situation in Mabi with people across Japan.
If someone somewhere is in trouble, we would like to go and help them, too.
About the future of the green bird Okayama Team
You do all kinds of things. Is there anything you would like to try in the future?
Kikutake Yuki
Anyone can join green bird, so we would love for not only students but also working adults—and especially people who are new to volunteering—to take part.
Picking up litter may be one of the easiest ways to get started with volunteering.
However, when you pick up litter, you may come face to face with various social issues.
Waste, poverty, vacant homes, and disasters.
There are many shared challenges, so I think it is the kind of volunteering that makes it easiest to think about social issues.
In the future, I would like to hold events where everyone can think about volunteering together.
I also want to create an environment where participants can use litter-picking activities as a starting point and easily take part in other volunteer activities.
A message for people taking part in litter-picking activities
Please share a message for those who are thinking of taking part.
Kintaka
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we scheduled activities for times when there were fewer people around, so we held them early in the morning. Since April 2023, we have returned to a 10 a.m. start.
Please feel free to drop by whenever you like.
Lots of people come on their own.
Let’s enjoy spending time together and chatting as we pick up litter.
Suzuki Yuya
Many high school students today have to complete a certain number of volunteer hours to graduate, as required by their schools. I think some may feel that volunteering is a big commitment and have a negative impression of it.
It’s fine to start just to earn school credits. I hope you’ll take part once and experience it for yourself and discover how enjoyable it is.
When you participate, you’ll discover things you hadn’t noticed before, and I think you’ll gain something for yourself.
From the Writer
You want to try volunteering, but you just can’t find the courage.
Or perhaps you think it has nothing to do with you.
Rather than feeling intimidated by the words “volunteer activity,” I think it’s fine to say, “Picking up litter sounds easy and kind of fun, so maybe I’ll give it a try.”
You don’t need to make a reservation to join the green bird Okayama Team’s litter-picking activities. If you feel like it, you can go by yourself and take part.
Meeting and talking with all kinds of people there may broaden your horizons.
Just knowing that you are taking part in and contributing to making your town cleaner can be uplifting.
I also joined a green bird litter-picking activity for the first time. I was able to chat casually with people I had just met while picking up litter, and it turned out to be a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience than I had imagined.
“Littering is uncool.”
Why not pick up litter with the green bird Okayama Team and help create a world where everyone feels that way?
green bird Okayama Team details
| Name | green bird Okayama Team |
|---|---|
| Held | ・In front of Okayama Station: Fourth Saturday, 10–11 a.m. ・Bikan Historical Area: Second Saturday, 10–11 a.m. ・Uno Port: First Monday, 6:30–7:30 a.m. Activities are also held irregularly in Kojima, Takahashi, and other places. Events are also held. See Instagram for details. |
| Location | Okayama City |
| Participation fee (tax included) | Free. *A participation fee may be required for some events. |
| Website | green bird |
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