Tropical corals are increasing and seaweed beds nurturing sea creatures have disappeared in the sea south of Tokyo Bay, local divers and fishers have found, showing the impact of global warming on Japanese waters.
In the waters off Kyonan in Chiba Prefecture, seaweed beds have disappeared over the past 12 years, while young table coral that usually grows in warmer waters in the country's southwest have taken their place.
"In recent years, (the seawater temperature) hasn't fallen below 15 degrees Celsius even in winter," said Jiro Uochi, a local guide and diver.