Water is the source of life and at Suntory, it is also at the heart of our business and our values. Without healthy ecosystems and clean water, we cannot produce our drinks or sustain the communities we serve. That’s why, in 2004, Suntory launched Mizuiku - which means “education in water” in Japanese - to inspire younger generations to cherish, protect, and sustainably manage this vital resource. 

In 2024, the programme marked its 20th anniversary. Today, it is deployed in Japan and, in collaboration with local NGOs and other organisations, in eight other countries. By the end of 2024, the cumulative number of participants worldwide had exceeded 1.19 million.

Roots in Japan 
 
Mizuiku began as a hands-on environmental education programme with two main components: the Outdoor School of Forest and Water, where children and their parents discover nature’s role in the water cycle first-hand, and Teaching about Water at Schools, bringing interactive water science into classrooms. Over 20 years, it has expanded across Japan, reaching over a million participants, winning national recognition for its innovative learning methods, and inspiring adaptations in eight other countries. 

Making Waves in Europe 
 
In Europe, Mizuiku keeps its Japanese heart - respect for nature, curiosity, and community - while adapting to local contexts and environmental priorities. 

France: Launched in 2024 in partnership with the NGO Rivières Sauvages, the French version is a free, interactive programme for children aged 9–11. It mixes classroom activities with expeditions to some of France’s most pristine rivers, where pupils explore the water cycle, discover local species, and understand how rivers support biodiversity. Scientific experiments, storytelling, and nature walks make water conservation tangible and fun. 

UK: Rolled out in 2023 with Severn Rivers Trust, the UK programme is built around the Outdoor School model. Families take part in riverside sessions along the River Severn, the UK’s longest river, near our Coleford factory in Gloucestershire. Activities highlight the link between healthy rivers, wildlife, and communities, inspiring people to take action to protect them. In its first year, over 650 people participated, with sessions running from spring to autumn at multiple riverside locations. 

Spain: Since 2022, Mizuiku has been part of the Guardians of the Tagus conservation project in Toledo. Children aged 8-12 take part in workshops and outdoor activities around the Guajaraz Reservoir - which supplies water to our local factory - learning about water science, biodiversity, and sustainable use. The programme also contributes directly to restoring habitats, creating ponds for wildlife like the Iberian lynx, and replanting degraded areas. So far, more than 4,500 children in Spain have joined the programme.

Expanding the Impact 
 
Mizuiku’s European journey is just beginning. By 2030, Suntory Beverage & Food Europe aims to reach 100,000 people through the programme, contributing to Suntory Group’s global ambition to provide water education and access to safe water to five million people worldwide by 2030. 

Each market is expanding nationally to meet its targets: 

UK: 1,000 participants in 2025 (up from 803 in 2024) 

Spain: 6,000 participants in 2025 (up from 4,500 in 2024), evolving from a schools-based approach to a theatre format to broaden reach 

France: continuing to grow through its partnership with Rivières Sauvages and its engaging mix of classroom and outdoor learning.

More info in our latest sustainability report. 
 
From Japanese forests to European rivers, Mizuiku proves that education is one of the most powerful tools for protecting water. By connecting people to nature, one child, one family, and one community at a time, we are building a generation ready to safeguard our most precious resource for the future.