■Japanese Geoparks Certification Ceremony was held at Tokyo University on February 20, 2009.

At the ceremony the representatives of 7 areas got certification of Japan Geopark members, among them are Toyako, Shimabara and Itoigawa, and all have applied for entry to Global Geopark Network and in the process at present. Yoneda, Mayor of Itoigawa city,  show further motivation to create citizen’s participated Itoigawa Geopark as first ever in Japan.

It was also announced that Japan Geopark Network is setting up, which is organized by 18 members, and reaffirmed each commitment to work together to create attractive Japanese style Geoparks.

There are 24 geosites in Itoigawa city, which started to use the term ‘Geopark’ first in the world. The city was admitted as Japan Geopark last October and now in the process of Global Geoparks application.