Environmental Report 2016

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JAE Group Forest

In 2004, we established the JAE Group Forest, which we have nurtured by planting trees and maintained as a symbol of environmental management.*1
It is here that Group employees can obtain environmental awareness through their experiences in the forest. It is also a place where the Group can contribute to the protection of biodiversity (click here to read our Declaration on Biodiversity Initiatives), absorption of greenhouse gas (CO₂), and replenishment of the watershed (use cursor to view definition).

The JAE Group Forest can also be enjoyed for the beautiful seasonal colors of its trees, such as mountain cherry, painted maple and Magnolia kobus, and then there is the Akishima cherry tree, planted in 2014 on the occasion of JAE Group Forest's 10th anniversary.*2 There are also other species of trees native to the Okutama area, and some 3,500 trees that were planted there, such as konara oak, zelkova, horse chestnut, Manchurian walnut and Japanese cypress, also serve as a food source for local animal life.

State of original site when established (Area 1)

*1: Thus far, 494 Group employees have planted trees, cleared underbrush where saplings grow, and placed nets to protect against damage from deer. Work was conducted to remove vines that were impeding tree growth by clinging to trunks and branches.
*2: The Akishima cherry tree (Prunus cv. Yoko'), which blooms with large deep red-purple blossoms, is the name used by the Akishima City Tree Planting Promotion Association.

As one part of training for new employees that entered the company, in fiscal 2015, a plan was put in place for 40 of them to have "environmental experience learning" whereby they worked to preserve the forest through tasks such as maintaining foot trails and clearing underbrush. Unfortunately, it rained on the day of the planned training, and after they familiarized themselves with the JAE Group Forest site, they borrowed a space from the Tokyo Forestry Union and assembled wood working kits as an example of effective use of forest resources.

Assembling wood working kits at the Tokyo Forestry Union

Protecting biodiversity

Eleven years have passed since the establishment of the JAE Group Forest. The trees that employees have planted have now grown to some three meters high. In early spring, the Akishima cherry, Magnolia kobus and the mountain cherry trees bloom, and in the fall, autumn colors can be enjoyed. As the trees grow, other plants and birds have begun to appear.

Please see the following photographs. Near the JAE Group Forest is the Akishima Citizens' Forest in Okutama, where these animals were photographed. (Photos courtesy of Tokyo Development Foundation for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

Deer (Akishima Citizens' Forest in Okutama)

Wild pig (Akishima Citizens' Forest in Okutama)

The forest where so many of these wild animals live is still susceptible to natural disasters, and in February 2014 a heavy snowfall caused some of the trees in Area 2 to collapse, even breaking some of their trunks. In order to avoid secondary damage to forest paths caused by dead tree branches or soil loss that results from heavy rains, typhoons or other natural events, we have received the cooperation of the Tokyo Forestry Union and cleaned up the fallen trees.*3

*3: The method used to repair the area was to use the timber from the fallen trees, cut it up, and lay it lengthwise between the tree stumps to build the area up.

Maintenance using felled
Japanese cypress in Area 2

The JAE Group Forest is a symbol of environmental management. Starting with the basics, namely forest protection, replenishment of the watershed, absorbing CO2, and protecting biodiversity, we will foster environmental awareness among employees through hands-on learning as we continue to nurture the JAE Group Forest as a cornerstone of JAE's environmental activities.

Overview of JAE Group Forest

Location	Aza Osawairi, Hikawa, Okutama-machi
Area	1.33ha
Overview	•A third-party profit-sharing afforestation agreement between the JAE Group, forest owners, and Tokyo Development Foundation for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Term: Fifty years starting in 2004 •Tree types: Japanese cypress and broadleaf trees, such as mountain cherry, painted maple, Magnolia kobus, konara oak, zelkova, horse chestnut and Manchurian walnut.

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Building a More Sustainable Society

Symbol of the Group's Environmental Policies

JAE Group Forest

Significance of the Environmental Report

Environmental Performance

Environmental Management

Environmental Accounting

Environmental Accounting Data

Engaging with Society: Group Sites