On Jan. 30, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming met with Nippon Foundation SPOGOMI Federation President Masanori Tamazawa to discuss the federation's promotion of the sport of picking up litter. Peng, who praised SPOGOMI for advancing the core value of environmental protection through fun competition, said Taiwan is actively preparing to join SPOGOMI events and that public participation will raise environmental awareness and help cultivate everyday habits that keep the environment clean.

SPOGOMI combines "sport" and "gomi" (Japanese for "trash"), turning the dreary task of litter collection into a group competition. In recent years, SPOGOMI has attracted young people and participants from various sectors around the world. Through precise sorting rules and time limits, the competition helps participants understand the importance of keeping the environment clean, inspiring them to change their habits at the source.

As SPOGOMI's influence expands around the world, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) and the Nippon Foundation SPOGOMI Federation are in preliminary talks aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of international competition rules and organizational details. The Japanese representative shared information about past SPOGOMI World Cup schedules, judging standards, and training experience, and expressed hope that Taiwan and more countries will participate in the 2027 SPOGOMI World Cup.

The MOENV plans to hold the event through a joint effort between the public and private sectors. It will invite local governments, civil organizations, and businesses to hold SPOGOMI preliminaries starting in September 2026, followed by the national finals in April 2027. It hopes Taiwan will participate in the SPOGOMI World Cup and earn honors. The event is not only about winning; more importantly, it promotes environmental sustainability by picking up litter and reducing the amount of waste entering the ocean. The MOENV said it will continue introducing innovative ways to promote environmental sustainability and invites the public, civil organizations, and businesses to participate so Taiwan can continue to shine on the international stage of environmental protection.