【Okinawa Churashima Foundation】FY2026 Entrance Ceremony Held at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium's "Kuroshio Sea Tank"

The Okinawa Churashima Foundation (Chairman: Moriyoshi Wakugawa) held its fiscal year 2026 entrance ceremony on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the "Kuroshio Sea Tank" of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, welcoming 20 new employees.

At the entrance ceremony, letters of appointment were presented to the new employees.

The Chairman also offered words of encouragement, stating, "The work of the Okinawa Churashima Foundation, where you will begin working today, is to protect the value of Okinawa's nature, history, and culture, and to convey its charm to many people. This is the very realization of the Foundation's philosophy: 'Bringing the brilliance of the beautiful island to all people (Umunchu).'

The new employees, about to embark on their journey as members of the Foundation, showed a mix of tension and anticipation for new challenges.

Yuri Nohara, the representative of the new employees, expressed her determination, saying, "I feel pride and responsibility in joining the Foundation in this historic year, marking its 50th anniversary and the completion of Shuri Castle's Seiden (main hall)." She renewed her commitment to promoting Okinawa's natural environment and cultural attractions and contributing to society.

After the entrance ceremony, the new employees greeted visitors at the entrance of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

The new employees will undergo various training programs before being assigned to their respective departments, where they will engage in the Foundation's diverse operations, including the aquarium business. The Foundation will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by preserving Okinawa's rich natural environment and disseminating its value.

*Please note that this entrance ceremony was conducted with careful consideration to avoid any impact on the exhibited creatures.

About Okinawa Churashima Foundation

The Okinawa Churashima Foundation is an organization responsible for the management and operation of park facilities that leverage Okinawa's rich natural and cultural resources, such as Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Ocean Expo Park, and Shuri Castle Park, under the management philosophy of "Bringing the brilliance of the beautiful island to all people (Umunchu)." Centered around the comprehensive research institute established within the Foundation, it promotes specialized research, technological development, and educational outreach activities related to subtropical flora and fauna and marine organisms. At the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, based on the long-term rearing of diverse marine organisms, the Foundation continuously conducts research on physiology, reproduction, and health management, utilizing accumulated scientific data from captive breeding to improve animal welfare and conserve marine life.