BSACJAPAN
Okinawa ’ s waters are renowned for their clarity
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clear and blue , sometimes called ‘ Kerama Blue ’, above white sand and coral reefs . Alongside prolific reef life , you might see turtles , manta rays and whales at certain times of the year . Diving offered includes limestone sea caverns among stunning topography , wrecks and coral reefs full of an abundance of creatures . Instructors cater to your diving style , including , in some places , the chance to do a black water dive to see weird and wonderful creatures of the night .
The Kii Peninsula , two hours by train or car from Osaka , is another area famed for its rich coral and sea life . The peninsula is sacred to Buddhism and Shinto religions . Diving here you ’ ll see many fish .
The Izu Peninsula , one to two hours by train or car from central Tokyo , is a popular diving location in the southern part of the capital area . Relatively warm , the region is famous for sea bathing and for growing mandarin oranges . There are also many hot springs . Here , you can dive in fishfilled waters , in wetsuits in summer and drysuits in winter and spring . It is a popular destination for training .
How widely are BSAC qualifications recognised in Japan , I wanted to know . Hosakawa san explains that the market share in Japan is 55 per cent PADI , 12 per cent NAUI , and eight per cent BSAC , adding “ there is no Japanese diving operator who does not know BSAC .”
“ BSAC is more famous in Japan than you think ,” he says . “ You can dive without any problem . What matters is where you go [ to dive ].” So , if you are thinking about visiting Japan , and doing some diving , Hosakawa san advises you to go directly to a resort shop . “ Once you have decided where to go , please contact us ,” he says . “ We will then introduce you to a nearby shop where you can enjoy a comfortable dive .”
Plans for BSAC Japan ’ s celebrations for BSAC ’ s 70th anniversary are underway . The intention is to celebrate this milestone at the BSAC Japan AGM , and in other activities . �
PHOTO © OCVB
On the business side
Hosakawa san joined BSAC Japan in 1993 . One of his first tasks was to find a Samurai helmet for BSAC ’ s 40th anniversary banquet in London . It was presented to the then Charles , Prince of Wales . He went on to become responsible for a large part of the business , including negotiations with BSAC headquarters in the UK , accounting , personnel affairs , public relations and sales to franchised stores .
BSAC Japan has supported BSAC UK over the years , including at the time of BSAC UK ’ s own financial crisis in the late 1990s .
Hosakawa san became Chair of BSAC Japan in 2005 , launching the independent company BSAC Japan Ltd in 2010 . He has remained Chair since then and has visited the UK Diving Officers Conference many times over the years . Diving is a hobby for him , but he finds very little time to take part . He is not an instructor and remains firmly on the business side of the operation .
Find out more
■ BSAC Japan website bsac . co . jp
■ Japan National Tourist Organization ( JNTO )
Japan offers incredible diving opportunities with its exceptional underwater ecosystem shaped by the convergence of warm and cold currents . Travelling within Japan is made convenient with an extensive transportation network , which includes the bullet train ( Shinkansen ) as well as internal flights that allow visitors easy access to remote diving spots . To find out more about diving in Japan , visit the diving pages of the JNTO website . japan . travel / en / sports / diving
■ JNTO has a London office that you can visit in person at Japan House London on Kensington High Street . japan . travel / en / uk
■ Reef Check is a not-for-profit organisation that leads citizen scientists to promote stewardship of sustainable reef communities worldwide . reefcheck . org