Feature 2

From Forest Conservation andDevelopment to Co-habitation
with Forests
The JT Forest initiative for forest preservation has expanded to nine locations
across Japan and has diversified its scope of activity since it launched in 2005.

Diversified Forest Conservation Adapted to Local Characteristics

Future-Oriented Forest Development

to nine in Japan, including leased forests and a company-

Seven years after its start, the JT Forest initiative has expanded

creating a water source forest that sustains marine life. The

conservation as an indication of its appreciation of the blessings

owned one. To create bountiful forests desired by local resi-to include new activities and has evolved in various ways.

development of the forest in Shakotan has been stalled forof Mother Nature that sustains its business and its wish to pre-dents, we are striving to develop sound forests that can be

In Shigetomi, Kagoshima Prefecture, we conducted a fieldmany years due to a lack of necessary workers and accessserve the natural environment. In this initiative, JT borrows

maintained and used in a sustainable way in cooperation withsurvey over a one-year period from July 2010 to examine theproblems. In the coastal area, marine plants have decreased in

The JT Group has engaged in the JT Forest initiative for forest

forestland across the country for a certain period of time, draws

local forestry cooperatives, which have extensive knowledge

ecology of animals and plants. The survey was conducted inrecent years, raising concern over possible effects not only on

up forest development plans according to the local needs andconcerning the history of the forests and the types of trees

cooperation with the local forestry cooperative to which wethe forest but also on the entire ecology of the river basin area.

provides support necessary for forest development while

there. In addition, we have designated the “Forestry Program

entrust forest maintenance and an environment-educational

In addition to forest development, we conducted an ecologicalexchanging opinions with experts and local governments.

Day,” when JT employees, local residents and local govern-

non-governmental organization which is utilizing the JT Forest

survey and monitoring and launched a 10-year activity aiming toIn Nakahechi, Wakayama Prefecture, where the initiative wasment officials work together in forest preservation activity, cre-Shigetomi for a nature experience program. We have drawn up

create a water source forest that brings the blessings of nature

first launched in 2005, we are trying to revive a forest in a vast

ating a valuable opportunity for local community exchanges.

the Biodiversity Preservation Plan in light of the survey results

to the river basin area and the sea. We will contribute to foster-area deforested by logging. Rugged mountain surfaces arebased on the idea that the environment having a rich diversity

ing local personnel who can undertake the task of forest devel-steadily regaining green cover as a result of forest developmentof plant and animal life is essential to the creation of a bountiful

opment by using this activity as an opportunity to acquire

activities such as the planting of around 180,000 trees andJT Forest to Expand across Japan

forest. We will continue monitoring plant and animal life inknow-how on forest development. To make it possible toweeding. In 2006, we expanded the initiative to Kosuge,

A water source forest to sustain marine life

cooperation with local communities. We will also use forests asdevelop

Yamanashi Prefecture, to create a water source forest by

Shakotan (Hokkaido)

a source of knowledge concerning the formation of geologicalforests into the future, we will

structures due to volcanic activity and the history of local indus-

devote efforts to forest develop-

tries that used to be sustained by forests.

ment in cooperation with local

since December 2010

mixing broad leaf trees in a coniferous forest zone and to
Nahari, Kochi Prefecture, to preserve coral in the river mouth by

A coastal forest to protect people’slives against sandstorms

developing a bountiful forest through thinning. In 2007, weTsuruoka (Yamagata)extended the initiative to Chizu, Tottori Prefecture, where strip
roads are also being developed
to enable sustainable forest

In December 2010, we started activity under the JT Forest

since April 2009

initiative in Shakotan, a fishing town in Hokkaido, with a view tosince April 2008
Co-habitation with a rich diversity of life

varioussince April 2009

Yunomae (Kumamoto)activities, such as thinning,since March 2006
Reviving a logging-damaged forest

trol as well as support for theNakahechi (Wakayama)
since January 2005

use of experimental forest
techniques

inPreserving a forest with a long history

Chizu (Tottori)

accordance with the circum-

since August 2007

stances of each forest.
The number of areas where
we are implementing the JT
Present, 2012

A water source forest by
mixing broad leaf trees
in a coniferous forest zone

ment and animal damage con-development

Forest initiative has increased

communities and relevant organizations.

A field survey

Aiming for Forest Development that Respects the River and Sea Environment

Kosuge (Yamanashi)

weeding, strip road developJT Forest Nakahechi
Before preservation, 2005

soundNakatsugawa (Gifu)

planting, we are conducting
maintenancepreserve

A hometown forest with white flowers

conservation. In addition toforestandA JT-owned forest in harmony
with environment and history

A forest to preserve coral

Shigetomi (Kagoshima)

since November 2006

Nahari (Kochi)

There are eight fishing ports on the coastal area of Shakotan while forests cover 80% of the town. Fishing is
an important industry for Shakotan, which used tothrive on abundant hauls of herring.
In recent years, the “isoyake” (sea desertification)
phenomenon, which refers to an excessive decline inmarine algae, has become worse. As a result, organisms feeding on marine algae and breeding grounds
have decreased, raising concern over possible effects
on fishery resources and reminding us of the importance of the relation between forests and rivers.
Awareness of the need to preserve forests is growing
among local residents, not to mention local fishermen.
We are conducting forest preservation activity torestore our forests and seas to a sound condition while
also giving consideration to river and marine life as well
as plant and animal life on land.
In a situation like this, we are grateful for the forest
development being achieved through collaborative
activity under the JT Forest initiative. We expect that
this will help to create jobs and foster personnel who
can undertake future preservation activity.
An exchange between JT employees, their family
members and local residents provides an opportunity
to raise awareness about the blessings of forests. We
hope that an activity like this will spread to various
fields, including industry, welfare, education andculture.

Hajime NishikawaChief, Agriculture,Forestry
and Fisheries Division
Shakotan Town

JT Forest (Japanese)
URL

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CSR Report 2012www.jti.co.jp/csr/forest
CSR Report 201214