MATSUSHIMA, Miyagi Prefecture—Matsushima Bay in disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture has become the first Japanese member of a France-based environmental group’s “Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club,” a town official said.
MATSUSHIMA, Miyagi Prefecture—Matsushima Bay in disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture has become the first Japanese member of a France-based environmental group’s “Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club,” a town official said.
The decision was announced Dec. 6 at the club’s general meeting held in Cambodia, the official said.
The club said Matsushima Bay meets the criteria for membership, including high natural value and being an iconic symbol for local people. Forty-one bays from 30 countries, including Mont Saint-Michel Bay in France, are members of the club.
Matsushima Bay was already considered one of Japan’s top three coastal scenic spots.
Takeo Ohashi, the mayor of Matsushima town, said he hopes the bay’s membership will add momentum to work to rebuild from the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.