Social Contribution

Examples of Social Contribution Activities in Japan

Mt. Fuji Manabi no Mori Project

We are continuing the Mt. Fuji Manabi no Mori Project which began in 1998 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Company's establishment, setting out to restore the vitality of the rich national forest cloaking the foothills of Mt. Fuji that was extensively damaged by a typhoon. Today, this project visualizes the progress of tree growth in survey areas of planted regions and oversee natural forest recovery of Mt. Fuji Manabi no Mori.

In fiscal 2022, Mt. Fuji Manabi no Mori was used for volunteer activities and environmental education programs. A total of 1,636 people visited Mt. Fuji Manabi no Mori from inside and outside of the Company. The total number of visitors to date is approximately 34,000.

Volunteer Activities in Forestry Development

Since the start of the project in 1998, approximately 30,000 region-specific saplings have been planted so far. In total, more than 12,000 volunteers have participated in tree planting and cultivation activities.

To date, reforestation efforts of national forest damaged by typhoons were completed as the first phase by removing the hexatubes. In fiscal 2019, a tree survey began as a monitoring survey necessary to comprehensive forest management activities. In 2022, as the fourth year of this tree survey, 71 volunteers took part in creating a database from records of 510 trees planted on approximately 1,800 m2 under the guidance and cooperation of arborists and others.

The Manabi no Mori project will shift to a more friendly forest suitable for learning by visualizing the growth of the trees that have been cultivated by the volunteers so far. Cultivating a forest is a never-ending job and Mt. Fuji Manabi no Mori, too, is a 100-year project. To ensure that the project will still be running 100 years from now, comprehensive forest management and environmental activities will be continued as a way to communicate the importance of nature to as many people as possible.

Volunteer tree survey

Volunteer tree survey

Forest Recovery Volunteer Activities Trend*

Forest Recovery Volunteer Activities Trend*

*The aggregation period for fiscal 2020 onwards is January to December of each year, and the aggregation period before fiscal 2019 is April of each year to March of the following year

Environmental Education Program

Sumitomo Forestry has been implementing an Environmental Education Program for local elementary and junior high school students since fiscal 2006 in collaboration with the NPO Whole Earth Institute. Activities include nature observation, looking for tracks and traces of wild animals, and games incorporating the five senses. The aim of these activities to rediscover the natural world is for the students to learn about the importance of nature and encourage them to consider new ways in which people can coexist with nature in the future. In fiscal 2022, a total of 1,110 students and children from 16 schools were invited to the program. A cumulative total of more than 13,000 students and children have been invited as of fiscal 2022.

Environmental Education Program

Environmental Education Program

Environmental Education Program Trend*

Environmental Education Program Trend*

*The aggregation period for fiscal 2020 onwards is January to December of each year, and the aggregation period before fiscal 2019 is April of each year to March of the following year

Monitoring Survey

At Mt. Fuji Manabi no Mori, we are monitoring and researching the recovery of the natural forest. We have been conducting vegetation surveys since fiscal 2000 with the cooperation of Vegetation Management Science Laboratory, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. From the same year, we have been conducting wildlife habitat surveys with the cooperation of the Minami Fuji Branch of the Wild Bird Society of Japan. In addition, from 2019, the insect habitat surveys are being conducted with the cooperation of a professor emeritus from Tokoha University. The results of these surveys will be used to continue future forestry activities.

Vegetation Surveys

The vegetation monitoring has been able to confirm the gradual growth of beech, Japanese zelkova, and other trees that were planted as well as dogwood and amur cork trees that grew naturally after the damage caused by the typhoon. Over the last 24 years, the survey revealed that the planted trees had not only gotten larger but the entire species in the forest also recovered.

Wildlife Habitat Survey/Insect Habitat Survey

The environment where the ground was bare after the removal of fallen trees gradually transformed from grasslands to forests. With this, on the wildlife habitat survey, the population of pheasants and shrikes is declining, and in their place, the population of such birds of the forest as narcissus flycatchers and varied tit is increasing with opportunities to view them becoming more frequent, indicating that the forest is steadily recovering.

In July 2022, we conducted the third insect habitat survey.

Vegetation Shift in the Wind-afflicted Area

(2001)

(2001)

(2008)

(2008)

(2016)

(2016)

Click here for related information

Tree Planting Activity Oku Matsushima Natural Recovery Volunteer

Sumitomo Forestry entered into a partnership agreement on restoration property development coordination and cooperation with Higashi Matsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture in 2012 after the Great East Japan Earthquake to make every effort toward restoration. Higashi Matsushima City aims to revitalize tourism by bringing back the wetlands in the Suzaki district near the Nobiru coast devastated by the tsunami. As part of this effort, Sumitomo Forestry began trial tree planting activities in fiscal 2017. A soil investigation discovered a high concentration of acidity, which needed considerations about the tree species and techniques for planting. We then formulated a tree-planting plan taking into account third-party insight from the Tohoku Research Center of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute. We checked and made sure the seedlings had been growing with support by the local community, so that we started the Oku Matsushima Nature Recover Volunteer Planting Activity along the Nobiru coast of Higashi Matsushima City In fiscal 2019.

In 2022, a total of 230 people participated in the tree planting. Local residents, children from Higashi-Matsushima Municipal Miyanomori Elementary School, Sumitomo Forestry's subcontractors, and Sumitomo Forestry Group employees worked together to plant 930 plants from five local indigenous species. In addition to the tree planting, this volunteer activity included clearing the underbush so that the seedlings in the planted area would grow to a large size. We also provided environmental education to third-year students of Miyanomori Elementary School, and are working to grow Raphiolepis umbellata, a local indigenous plant, until it becomes a seedling plant from seedings. We are working together with the local community on medium- to long-term activities.

Since a soil survey conducted when we started experimental tree-planting activities suggested that the soil was highly acidic, we have been tree planting using crushed oyster shells as a neutralizing agent.

In March 2022, the Tsukuba Research Institute gave a lecture on the neutralizing effect of crushed oyster shells at a public symposium hosted by The Japanese Society of Forest Environment under the title of "Natural Regeneration of Seawall Surfaces for Tsunami Disaster Prevention: Tree Planting Activities on Acidic Soil and Their Aftereffects." We will continue to conduct monitoring surveys of the soil and planted trees, and will continue tree-planting activities while paying attention to effects of highly acidic soil.

Group photo of tree planting activities

Group photo of tree planting activities

Tree Planting

Tree Planting

Environmental education at Miyanomori Elementary School

Environmental education at Miyanomori Elementary School

Cooperation with Local Communities

The Sumitomo Forestry Group conducts biodiversity conservation in surrounding areas where it engages business in and conducting and activities tied to local communities with local residents.

Forest Maintenance Activities at Gunma Manabi no Mori

In July 2012, Sumitomo Forestry and Gunma Prefecture signed a prefectural forest maintenance partnership agreement, and are working with the prefectural authorities to promote the maintenance of forest at the foot of Mt. Akagi.

Located within the jurisdiction of Maebashi City, Akagi Forest is owned by Gunma Prefecture, which promotes maintenance and conservation of its forests in cooperation with companies and organizations. The Sumitomo Forestry Gunma Branch holds the annual Gunma Manabi no Mori event as a forest maintenance activity. With the cooperation of local forestry associations, the activities which included planting of Japanese cypress seedlings and thinning. Although the activity was cancelled in fiscal 2022, following the previous year, due to the impact of COVID-19, employees, subcontractors, and home owners, have participated in the activity in the past.

Gunma Manabi no Mori

Gunma Manabi no Mori

Advocating the Kanagawa Zero Plastic Waste Declaration

The problem of plastic waste in the oceans is internationally acknowledged as an extremely serious environmental problem for the major impact it exerts on aquatic ecosystems and human lives. In February 2019, the Sumitomo Forestry sales offices in Kanagawa (Yokohama Branch, Yokohama North Branch, Kanagawa West Branch, Shonan Branch, and Tokyo South Branch of Housing and Construction Division) pledged their support for the Kanagawa No Plastic Waste Declaration*. Although the activity was cancelled due to the impact of the COVID-19, as part of the activity, we have been conducting beach cleanup activities jointly with subcontractors mainly doing business with Yokohama and Shonan branch offices every year. The trash included not only plastic waste but also syringes and old tires. This activity was a great chance to reflect once again on the environment around us.

*As an "SDGs Future City," area, Kanagawa Prefecture announced its "Kanagawa Zero Plastic Wasted Declaration" as part of its specific SDGs targets for a sustainable society, publicized as a "Message from the Whales" in September 2018. The project aims to achieve "zero plastic waste" by 2030 or earlier if possible by spreading efforts among the municipalities, private-sector companies and residents of the prefecture to eliminate and collect plastic straws, shopping bags, etc.

Clean-up Efforts on the Tsujido Shore (Shonan Branch) Clean-up Efforts on the Tsujido Shore (Shonan Branch)

Clean-up Efforts on the Tsujido Shore (Shonan Branch)

Kanagawa Zero Plastic Waste Declaration logo

Kanagawa Zero Plastic Waste Declaration logo

Giving on-site classes Project for Comprehensive Forestry Education

In October 2021, Sumitomo Forestry launched "morino de van," a comprehensive forestry education Giving on-site classes Project in collaboration with the Gifu Academy of Forest Science and Culture (morinos*1). This project is an initiative to deliver a wide range of programs including nature observation, fire-making experience, and a hands-on forest museum, using a Wald-car*2 to provide a comprehensive program of forest experiences.

Nature Experience Program were jointly developed with Morinos, morinos provided instructors and training, and arranged and operated the program equipment. Sumitomo Forestry donated Wald-car* and wooden boxes made from company-owned timber, as well as offcuts generated after lumbering.

The program aims to realize a society in which all people and forests are connected and "coexist" through the nature experience programs offered by the delivery of classes.

*1Nickname of the Forestry Education Center within the Gifu Academy of Forest Science and Culture. Its purpose is to connect all people with forests and pass on the joy of living with forests and the richness of forest culture to the next generation

*2means "forest car." Wald (WALD) means forest in German

Wald-car

Wald-car

Wooden box

Wooden box

Technology to Pass Down Heritage and Precious Trees to the Next Generation

Sumitomo Forestry uses the most cutting-edge biotechnology in addition to conventional grafting and cutting based on the request of owners to pass down heritage and precious wood to the next generation. This enables us to put our strength into breeding seedlings with the properties in the flowers and leaves of heritage and precious wood and pass them down both heritage and precious wood to the next generation. In addition, we are building a DNA database for trees to further advance a sophisticated program to identify individual varieties.

Exhibition of Ume Bonbai Successfully Propagated Through Tissue Culture

Sumitomo Forestry exhibited flasked seedlings and cultured seedlings of Ume Bonbai*2 successfully propagated through tissue culture at the Bonsai Exhibition of Ume Trees with Blossoms*1. On display were flasks and cultured seedlings propagated by tissue culture from Furo and Fuyoho, precious Ume Bonbai between 350 to 400 years old, and Beniwakonbai, a Tobiume plum tree sacred to the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. This will be the second exhibition of Furo and Fuyoho seedlings since 2022, and the first time for Beniwakonbai seedlings to be shown.

The culture samples and seedlings cannot generally be viewed by the public because they are grown in a sterile chamber that controls temperature. At this exhibition, we created a system to very carefully control the temperature to achieve this special presentation of the Ume Bonbai. The exhibition treated many visitors to the Ume Bonbai trees passed down for generations as well as leading-edge biotechnologies.

*1Bonsai Exhibition of Ume Trees with Blossoms began in 1952 at the Keiunkan in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture and is the most historic and largest Ume Bonbai exhibition in Japan. At this event, about 300 pots are replaced according to the flowering time, and about 90 pots of Bonbai are exhibited in the best condition. The exhibition this year was held from January 9 to March 10, 2022.

*2Dwarfed Japanese apricot tree

Ume Bonbai Seedling

Ume Bonbai Seedling

Culture Sample of the Ume Bonbai

Culture Sample of the Ume Bonbai

Tobiume Plum Trees at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Tissue-Cultured Seedlings Have Flowered

The Beniwakonbai seedlings propagated by tissue culture, a Tobiume plum tree, have flowered in the "Hana-no-niwa" (plum blossom garden) at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. This is the first time in the world that ornamental plum trees propagated by tissue culture have flowered. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine will use the blooming of the trees as an opportunity to launch the "Legend of Tobiume plum tree in Reiwa" project, in which we will protect and pass on to future generations the seedlings of Tobiume plum trees that we have propagated through tissue culture.

Passing on the Tobiume Plum Trees to Future Generations

The success of this research is significant in terms of ensuring the succession of plum trees amid recent concerns about the impact on plum trees growth of diseases caused by viruses that threaten plum trees and environmental changes such as global warming. In addition to the protection and preservation of plum trees in the future, it will greatly contribute to the maintenance of Kyoto's landscape and cultural heritage. In the future, we will establish a seedling production system to realize the "Legend of Tobiume plum tree in Reiwa" project, in which plums propagated by tissue culture will be preserved and passed down to future generations.

Flowering plum trees

Flowering plum trees

Commemorative Tree Planting of Cherry Trees Associated with Okumura Togyu "Daigo" at the Yamatane Museum of Art

In October 2021, Sumitomo Forestry donated Taiko-shidare-zakura cherry trees from Daigoji Temple, which were propagated by tissue culture, to the Yamatane Museum of Art. The Taiko-shidare-zakura at Daigoji Temple, the head temple in Kyoto, known for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Daigoji Cherry Blossom Viewing, is said to be 170 years old, and is also called Togyu's cherry tree because the Japanese painter Okumura Togyu, who is closely associated with the Yamatane Museum of Art, painted it in his masterpiece "Daigo."

A tree-planting ceremony was held on November 15, 2021 to coincide with the Yamatane Museum of Art's [Special Exhibition Commemorating the 55th Anniversary] The Art of Okumura Togyu - A Master of Nihonga Whom Yamazaki Taneji Loved, Part2.

Commemorative tree planting

Commemorative tree planting

Oshima Cherry "Sakurakkabu" Returns Home

Using tissue culture technology, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Sumitomo Forestry have succeeded in propagating an estimated 800-year-old Oshima cherry tree called sakurakkabu, which is native to Oshima, and the seedlings have grown to about 1 meter. In March 2022, we held a tree-planting ceremony on Izu Oshima Island. This project is the first phase of the "Tokyo Sakura Project" launched by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Sumitomo Forestry in 2019. This is the first time that our tissue culture technology has been used for a nationally designated special natural monument.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Sumitomo Forestry will continue their efforts to protect and propagate rare plant species including cherry blossoms that grow in nature parks in Tokyo.

Tree-planting ceremony by the head of the Oshima Island Branch Office and Sumitomo Forestry

Tree-planting ceremony by the head of the Oshima Island Branch Office and Sumitomo Forestry

Oshima cherry "sakurakkabu" (trunk circumference 6.95 m)

Oshima cherry "sakurakkabu" (trunk circumference 6.95 m)

Training and Education for the Next Generation

Tours of Mombetsu Biomass Electric Power Plant and Chip Factory

In October 2022, Mombetsu Biomass Electric Power and Okhotsk Bio Energy conducted a tour of the power generation plant and chip factory for 13 first-year students of Mombetsu High School in Hokkaido. The tour guided visitors through the main facilities of the chip mill, boiler, turbine, and generator, along with the chip manufacturing process and fuel transfer route, to deepen their understanding of how electricity is produced.

The purpose of this tour is to raise participants' awareness of their career path after graduation. In addition to introducing the details of the business, such as the procurement method of fuel mainly from wood biomass resources and the structure of the power generation plant, the employees explained the operations of the factory and power plant, using their actual experiences, to help the participants envision what it would be like to work there

This is the second tour of the school, the first being in 2021. Since the power generation plant started operation in September 2016, it has hosted a total of more than 400 students from local junior high school to university students, contributing to the education of the next generation in the region.

Our business partners responsible for chip production, transportation and management of raw materials have also hired graduates of the schools that have participated in the tour so far. By actively accepting tours of the plant, the Sumitomo Forestry Group will continue to promote understanding of its recycling-based power generation business, which utilizes local forest resources for power generation and returns profits to the forests, while aiming to become a company with strong roots in the community.

Visiting

Conducting Seminars for Ehime Prefectural Matsuyama Higashi High School

Students of Matsuyama Higashi High School have visited Niihama, Ehime, where the Sumitomo Forestry Group was founded, to take part in a seminar every year, as part of reforms of education curriculum as well as research and development projects* that help nurture leaders in high schools launched by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology since 2014.The seminars since fiscal 2020 had to be canceled unfortunately due to the COVID-19 and other factors.

FY2014 to FY2018 Super Global High School Program
Since FY2019 Program to Promote Education Innovation at High Schools in Cooperation with Local Communities

The seminar was made up of two sections; a lecture to introduce the businesses of the Sumitomo Forestry Group as well as a discussion about the experiences of employees working abroad among other things in Niihama Office, and field work at Forester House in Kyubesshi. These students learned about the corporate spirit passed down through the 330-year history of Sumitomo Forestry as well as its contributions to current business expansion overseas. In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, students visited the Jakarta office to experience the Sumitomo Forestry business operation in Indonesia.

Sumitomo Forestry sponsors and cooperates with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in reforms of education curriculum as well as research and development programs that help nurture leaders in high school through this series of activities.

*Fostering future leaders through the development and implementation of high-quality curriculum and system development

Seminar

Cooperation with Niihama City Junior High Schools Hometown Study

Each junior high school in Niihama City conducts the Besshi Copper Mine Mountain Climbing (Hometown Study) to learn about the history and historical sites of the Besshi Copper Mine, which laid the foundation for Niihama's development, in order to understand local characteristics and enhance love for the local area.

At the request of the Board of Education, Sumitomo Forestry is helping junior high school students take a guided tour of the facilities at Forester House so that they can learn about the history of afforestation and get a sense of the green revitalized Besshi Copper Mine before climbing the mountain.

May 2022 Kita Junior High School
May 2022 Niihama City Board of Education On-site Training
June 2022 Funaki Junior High School
July 2022 Besshi Junior High School
Training Training

Training

Support for Social Contribution Activities of Other Companies

Supporting Tree-Planting Activities at BAUM Oak Forest

Sumitomo Forestry supported tree-planting activities conducted by Shiseido Company's brand "BAUM" at the "BAUM Oak Forest" in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. Following last year, approximately 600 oak seedlings procured by Sumitomo Forestry were planted in 2022.

Shiseido's "BAUM" brand, which is based on the theme of "coexistence with trees" has the brand philosophy of "To not just receive the blessings of trees, but to also give back to nature." Oak saplings used as wooden parts of the packaging will be cultivated in BAUM stores, and the cultivated saplings will be planted to realize recycling of forest resources. Sumitomo Forestry has been supporting the brand's activities since June 2020 when BAUM was launched, by providing and maintaining saplings grown in the stores and further cultivating the saplings grown in the stores for tree planting.

Tree Planting

Tree Planting

Tree Planting