Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in Japan

In July 2021, the Sakata Plant signed the Yamagata Kizuna no Mori Agreement on forest creation with Yamagata Prefecture and the city of Sakata. A 3.4 hectare black pine forest on the Shonai Coast (Ohama District, Sakata), located approximately one kilometer north of the plant, was named “Kao Forest Ohama” and designated as a site for Kao’s activities. Merchants and peasants originally planted the black pine forest in the Edo period (1603-1868) to prevent sand erosion. The Forestry Agency designates it as a protective forest for preventing sand erosion. The agreement was signed with the aim of maintaining the historic black pine forest for the benefit of the public, preserving its function to prevent sand erosion, reducing CO₂ emissions through the cultivation of black pine trees, and promoting CSR programs and environmental awareness among the employees.

Since 2022, approximately 40 employees from the Sakata Plant and Kao Group Customer Marketing Tohoku have gathered at Kao Forest Ohama every May to June. They clear thickets and undergrowth, remove accumulated sand on the steps, pick up trash, and remove vines clinging to black pine trees. The area has a trail leading from the residential area to the beach, which is a popular spot for people to take walks. Making the trail safe to walk on will improve people’s wellbeing, and we hope the clean and well-maintained trail will help prevent fly-tipping.
We also aim to educate future generations about the importance of preserving forests, by utilizing the rich forest resources as a learning environment for local children to understand and appreciate nature.

The Marine Day was established as a public holiday in 1995 to express appreciation for the oceans and reflect on Japan’s prosperity as a maritime nation. In line with this, a cleanup of Ohama Beach organized by the Sakata Port Cleanup Promotion Council began in 1999. The Sakata Plant also participates in this operation and collects approximately 500 kg of garbage each time.
The number of participants has been increasing in recent years. It now involves 400 individuals from 45 organizations, with over 40 employees from the Sakata Plant and their families, making it the largest group among all participating organizations.

The Sakata Kita Port Operation 530 has been conducted since 1986 as part of an environmental conservation project by the Sakata Kyodo Power Company’s Ports and Harbors Department. The operation takes place twice a year and involves approximately 200 individuals from Tohoku Electric Power group companies and port and harbor-related administrative agencies. About 200 kg of garbage is collected each time.
Since spring 2022, scores of Kao employees have been participating in the cleanup operation twice a year, in spring and fall.

The Sakata Plant is located within the port facilities of Yamagata Prefecture. We improve the surrounding port roads twice a year. About 140 employees participate each time to remove weed from the sidewalks, as well as dead leaves.

The Kashima Plant, operating since 1980, is situated in the Kashima Coastal Industrial Zone in Kamisu, Ibaraki Prefecture. Initially, the site was a sea sand landfill with high salt content, making it difficult for vegetation to grow, except for pine trees. In line with pollution prevention agreements with the local prefecture and city, as well as various laws and regulations, the Kashima Plant has been dedicated to preserving green spaces within the community. This commitment was established by the first plant manager, who aimed to make the plant the greenest in the Kao Group.

There are three key points to the creation and conservation of green spaces.
The first is soil preparation. Mountain soil was brought in to improve the depleted sandy soil to create conditions conducive to the growth of plants. The second is a planting plan that looks 50 years into the future. Multiple green areas are set up in the plant and greening plans are promoted according to the characteristics of each green area. In relatively spacious green areas, a variety of trees and shrubs have been carefully chosen to grow in a layered pattern. Tall trees such as Japanese bay tree and elegant female holly, medium-sized trees such as wax-leaf privet and sweet viburnum, and shrubs such as spotted laurel and bone-knitted lotus form part of the landscape. The continuous arrangement of tall trees in the center, flanked by medium-sized trees and shrubs, nurtures a rich diversity of plantings. The third is to plant trees that can attract a wide variety of wildlife. For example, fruit-bearing trees favored by wild birds, camphor tree, and Japanese hackberry, which are food for butterflies, were planted.
Through these activities, we have been working to cultivate woodlands rich in biodiversity, providing a peaceful habitat for wildlife.

In 2014, the Kashima Plant evaluated its green spaces using guidelines developed by Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB) to assess their impact on the region’s biodiversity. Based on the findings, the plant reviewed its activities in terms of land use and biodiversity. In February 2015, the plant became the first in Japan to receive a Sustainable Business Sites certification from the Association for Business Innovation in Harmony with Nature and Community (ABINC), which is the factory version of the same guideline certification standard.

In October 2015, the plant was honored with the Minister of the Environment Award at the 4th Ikimono Nigiwai Kigyo Katsudo Contest. The Kashima Plant currently boasts 193 botanical species, 62 wild bird species, and 102 insect species (2022 survey).

The Kashima Plant features a forest created for relaxation as part of an initiative known as the Employee Forest. New employees, transferees, and all employees at the plant can choose a tree from a list of options, which includes local native species, and plant it as a symbol of their time at the plant.

This initiative has been ongoing for over 40 years since the start of operations, resulting in more than 900 employees planting over 140 tree species. As a result, the forest is now home to a diverse range of wildlife, such as warbling white-eye and the siren.

In the Employee Forest, you can see a variety of trees planted by past and present employees. Plaques inscribed with the years the trees were planted and the employees ’names motivate employees to observe the growth of the trees they planted every day.
The Employee Forest also serves as a place for employees to raise their environmental awareness, promote health, and interact with each other. The forest is open to retired employees from the plant, and they can interact with their former coworkers and current employees by participating in activities such as weeding around the trees they planted.

Environmental education events are organized for local children during the summer break. These events provide kids with an opportunity to learn about the importance of nature while enjoying outdoor activities. The summer program includes bingo games that explore the Employee Forest, handicraft activities using nuts and leaves, and an evening insect survey experience. All of these activities are designed to increase interest in nature.

In 2021, an educational event was organized for all plant employees. The Environmental Management Association of Ibaraki provided the lecturer. This event offered an opportunity to share the history of the Employee Forest, which has been cultivated and nurtured by the employees themselves, as well as evaluations by external parties. Approximately 100 employees, including some participating remotely, took part in the event. It provided an opportunity for many to gain pride and confidence in working at the plant.

We also conducted mutual visits and shared information with other companies and external organizations.
Employees are collaborating to expand their understanding of biodiversity conservation efforts and contribute to the preservation of the local natural environment.

The Sumida Office started its operations in 1923 as the Azumacho Plant. In August 2023, it celebrated its 100th anniversary and is now focused on environmental conservation, including the development of on-site green spaces. This is part of its transformation into a manufacturing base that takes care of the people, society, and the environment.

The green space in the Sumida Office has increased by approximately 28% to around 12,361 square meters due to the planting of a wide variety of primarily native tree species. As of November 2023, the area is home to 1,479 tall to medium trees of 41 species and 4,286 shrubs.
The addition of a pond in the Sukoyaka Garden on the site also contributes to the diversity of shore-inhabiting animal life. A section of Bunka Park100’s green space is available to the community for leisure and socializing.

Two rain gardens were installed in the green spaces on the site to collect and temporarily store rainwater. The soil’s high rainwater infiltration capacity allows for gentle drainage through underground infiltration during natural disasters, such as isolated downpours.

This not only reduces the sudden load on the sewage system and prevents local disasters caused by internal flooding, but also benefits the local water circulation and water retention necessary for the growth of vegetation. Approximately 545 tons of rainwater can be stored in total.
Other eco-friendly initiatives include using recycled PET bottles in asphalt pavement^*1 and Okaeri blocks^*2 for indoor signage.

The Kawasaki Plant is situated in the coastal industrial area of the Kawasaki city. In 2000, when the adjacent land was acquired for the construction of a new plant, the excess soil from excavation was used to raise the ground level, and trees scattered across the site were transplanted to establish a unified green space (West Green Space) covering approximately 7,000 square meters, mainly with evergreen trees.

For over 20 years, the area has been left untouched and has developed into a natural forest with a diverse range of trees and plants of different heights. It has become one of the most prominent green spaces in the region. The tranquility of this woodland has been restored by creating a trail through the forest. This woodland now offers employees an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center and has become a rejuvenating space.

Conservation efforts have been focused on biodiversity since 2000. One example is thinning forests to allow sunlight to penetrate and creating eco-stacks, which serve as habitats for animals and also provide seating for employees to rest on. Flowering and berry-producing trees and plants that wild birds enjoy were planted, and structures with gaps were built to serve as birdhouses, stonework, and other hiding places for wildlife. Additionally, wood chips made from dead trees, branches, and trees after pruning and cutting are reused for sidewalks in the green space.

In 2018, the Kawasaki Plant obtained a Sustainable Business Sites certification from the Association for Business Innovation in Harmony with Nature and Community (ABINC), following the Kashima Plant.

At the Kawasaki plant, we commission a specialized environmental survey company to conduct annual wildlife monitoring on its premises. The first survey was carried out in 2017 and confirmed the presence of 243 wildlife species, including 176 botanical, 56 insect, and 11 avian species. Over the years, the number of species has increased, and there are now 472 confirmed species, including 286 botanical, 151 insect, 23 avian, and 12 other species. It was a delightful surprise to have identified two important species: the grey-capped greenfinch (bird) and the Megachile pseudomonticola Hedicke, also known as the leafcutter bee (insect).

In June 2019, wildlife monitoring was held for new employees, and 25 individuals participated in the activity. After a lecture on biodiversity by an external lecturer, participants observed animal life inhabiting the familiar green space and tried their hand at Aristolochia debilis conservation activities. In August of the same year, the annual summer evening festival was held, featuring a wildlife observation session, birdhouse building, and printmaking using leaves collected from the green space for the employees and their children. The event was a great success.

In 2023, a new artificial biotope was installed at the border between the woodland of the West Green Space and the grassland along the Tama Canal. Surveys were conducted in May and June to assess the wildlife habitats and usage. The surveys identified five avian species and five aquatic species. Even though no live crabs were found in the canal in September, molting shells of red-clawed crabs, one of the target species for attraction, were discovered.
Going forward, we will continue activities to enhance the environmental quality for these creatures to inhabit and utilize.

In 2017, the first wildlife survey conducted on-site found the presence of the Chinese windmill butterfly, which is rare in urban areas. The surveyors were also pleased to identify about 120 stems of Aristolochia debilis, also known as Dutchman’s pipe, which serves as food for the butterfly’s larvae. Once again, the plant has shown its significance as one of the breeding bases for the Chinese windmill in the waterfront area of Kawasaki. Since then, there have been reports of sightings of aquatic life, such as dragonfly larvae. Employees have taken the lead in protecting these creatures, and the Biodiversity Office consistently communicates the main activities to employees.

By 2022, the number of sites classified as controlled areas for Dutchman’s pipe colonies has increased from four to nine. Every spring, numerous Chinese windmill butterflies flutter across the site.

Many employees at the Kawasaki Plant are involved in conservation of on-site green space and creation of flower beds to cultivate various plants in the garden. The Biodiversity Office organizes activities and events related to biodiversity and publishes the Gardening Review report. Reviews are published three to four times a year and mostly consist of images. The 100th edition was released in April 2023.
The Office will continue promoting biodiversity awareness and its activities in the future.

The reviews have covered the following activities.

The Odawara Office began operating as a Kanebo Cosmetics factory in 1969. In 2014, it was consolidated and redeveloped as an office that combines research and development with manufacturing for the Kao group’s cosmetics business. The office is situated 2.2 km northeast of Odawara Castle in an area rich in nature and abundant in high-quality water resources. This is attributed to its location facing the Sakawa River, which originates from Mount Fuji and the Tanzawa Mountains to the east, attracting numerous wild birds.

The site features a green area measuring approximately 9,000 square-meter, with over 90% of the planted trees being native species. In 2018, a new conservation initiative was launched to protect the region’s biodiversity. Employees planted native species of flowers, fruiting plants, and trees. Birdhouses were also installed for wild birds to nest at the shrine and in the row of cherry trees. In addition, tree branches and stones were piled up to create eco-stacks, providing habitats for animal life in the green areas at the cargo gates.

Thinned tree branches, weeds, and fallen leaves are collected and composted, then used to create habitats for unicorn beetles, as well as tables and chairs. The remaining material is turned into manure and reused on-site.

In 2022, a wildlife-friendly waterside environment was created next to the gazebo at Ark Square Garden, located in the center of the site. Since then, sightings of dragonfly larvae have been reported.

Tree branches from thinning operations on the site were stacked to provide shelter for animal life, chipped, and spread on the ground. This also created an environment for beetle larvae and other insects to thrive.
In 2020, the Odawara Office received a Sustainable Business Sites certification from ABINC, following the Kashima and Kawasaki plants.

In 2018, the Odawara Office joined the city of Odawara’s Sakawa River Japanese Rice Fish Breeding System to help protect Japanese rice fish with region-specific genes.
Initially, the office acquired five Japanese rice fish from the local administration and kept them in a tank. In 2019, they successfully hatched eggs, increasing the number to 25. By 2020, the office had installed a Japanese rice fishpond on a large terrace built on-site, allowing the fish to lay eggs in as natural an environment as possible. Since then, we have continued to breed Japanese rice fish, with the population reaching over 130 at one point before declining owing to predators such as dragonfly larvae.

In 2023, a 1.8-meter-wide tank was installed based on the advice of an external expert to expand the breeding of Japanese rice fish. The interior of the tank is designed to resemble the Sakawa River, which flows near the office. The upper part of the driftwood represents Hakone, while the pebbles on the lower part represent the undulating terrain of Odawara. The driftwood is crafted from indigenous Hakone plants, and the water flows from upstream to downstream on the Hakone side, arranged so that the pebbles gradually decrease in size.

Currently, there are approximately 45 Japanese rice fish, but they will continue to be nurtured and will be returned to the city of Odawara once the population exceeds 100 fish.
The Japanese rice fish tank has been placed at the entryway to make it more visible to coworkers and guests. The hope is that by witnessing the fish swimming freely, many people would become interested in biodiversity.

The Wakayama Plant is Kao’s largest research and manufacturing base in Japan, with a site area of approximately 500,000 square meters.

The black pine forest is used as a seawall and is part of the Suiken Embankment, a historic national landmark. It is approximately 100 meters wide and one kilometer long and runs through the plant’s grounds. The plant has been protecting the forest for more than 80 years, and there are currently over 4,000 black pine trees, some of them are more than 100 years old.
In 2011, the conservation of black pine forests was reviewed with a focus on biodiversity. Wildlife surveys revealed that over 20 wild bird species inhabit the woodland, including the Japanese pygmy woodpecker, Japanese tit, and the varied tit. Relatively rare insect species have since been observed, such as the Gametis forticula, Pseudoscymnus hareja, and Oedemeronia sexualis.

Based on expert advice, the area was divided into two sections. The first is a black pine conservation area, where the priority is to conserve black pine. The second is a maintenance area, where natural transitions are preserved to the greatest extent possible. Different green space management methods appropriate to the characteristics of each area were implemented. Other trees obstructing black pine growth in the conservation area were cut down to allow more sunlight, resulting in a brighter, healthier forest. Additionally, vegetation is cleared, and fallen leaves are regularly removed to improve the health of the black pine. Black pine is also flourishing well, thanks to staff volunteers who planted saplings of resistant species in some of the locations where the trees were taken down. In the past, chemical spraying was used to combat pine dieback, but now it is minimized due to its impact on the ecosystem.

The employees built a trail as part of the conservation efforts, which takes visitors around the forest. Signs explaining the Suiken Embankment and the wild birds found in the forest were placed at the entrance. Additionally, a gentle slope was constructed leading uphill to the top of the embankment, where the black pine forest and trail spread out. In addition, a walking trail has been created to allow employees to improve their health and well-being. The trail is also open to factory visitors, residents, and corporate guests who are interested in exploring the forest. Additionally, in partnership with the Board of Education and other organizations, the forest functions as an educational center for local primary school children.

In November 2023, the Wakayama Plant hosted an event to explore the prospect of maintaining the factory’s green space in a Satoyama-style manner, where people create a sustainable lifestyle by co-existing with nature. The event was designed to promote interactions with the local community and boost employee morale. It involved using thinned Quercus phillyraeoides to produce Kishu Binchotan charcoal. Employees and their families had the chance to participate in making charcoal and crafting wind chimes during the event. Some challenges were identified, such as the need to prepare at least one ton of thinned wood per session within one week of harvesting. Despite this, the activity was well-received by all involved, and it will be continued in the future.

In 2007, the Wakayama Plant leased a 0.7 hectare mountain forest near the Misato Astronomical Observatory in the town of Kimino. This forest is the source of the Kinokawa River, which the plant uses as its industrial water supply. The forest was named Kao Forest Kimino. 700 trees of nine different species were planted, including the sawtooth oak and jolcham oak. For nearly a decade since then, employees and their families have participated in annual conservation activities such as underbrush removal. As a result, the trees have grown larger and the forest has regenerated.

In 2017, the Wakayama Plant leased 0.8 hectares of land for its new Kao Forest Oishi project near the prefecture’s nature park, Oishi Kogen, renowned for its Chinese silver grass colonies. 106 employees participated in the soil-prepping stage, a task typically performed by a forestry cooperative. They used saws to clear the dense growth of Deutzia crenata and vines that had taken over the forest. Moreover, in order to preserve the genetic diversity of local species, a plan for restoring the forest with saplings native to the area was considered. Initially, with the collaboration of the landowners, saplings of redvein maple, Japanese nutmeg-yew, and Japanese helwingia were gathered and potted. Next, the potted plants were carefully nurtured at the homes of several employees. A total of 67 saplings from eight different species, including maple, jolcham oak, and Japanese mountain cherry, were then planted in the prepared area. The saplings are now thriving, protected by fences that repel animals.

The area is divided into three conservation zones: native species, coniferous, and mixed broadleaf and coniferous woodland. Saplings have been planted, and conservation is carried out in accordance with each zone’s characteristics. Employees and their families carefully nurture the forest while also planting trees as needed.

The employees and their families at the Wakayama Plant are actively involved in conserving the local ecosystems. This includes planting resistant black pine saplings in the on-site black pine forest, as well as engaging in conservation activities in Kao Forest Oishi and Kimino. They also participate in other activities such as land preparation, underbrush cutting, raising saplings of native species, and tree planting.

The Kao Eco Lab Museum was opened at the Wakayama Plant in July 2011 to demonstrate Kao’s most recent environmental technologies. The museum provides easy-to-understand introductions for the public on global environmental challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity, as well as Kao’s technical research in the field of environmental science.

In 2017, the Suiken Embankment Story was completed to educate local children about the wisdom and ingenuity of their ancestors who built the Suiken Embankment, as well as current conservation efforts. This project was accomplished with the cooperation of former primary school teachers in the city of Wakayama, the Wakayama City Board of Education, and others. The booklet serves as a resource for children to learn about their local history and introduces Kao’s initiatives to conserve the black pine forests.
The booklet is intended for all fourth-grade students in Wakayama, and 4,000 copies have been donated to the city so far.