Participating in the Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project

We benefit from nature (ecosystem 'service') in terms of our food, clothing (natural materials), wood and fossil fuels, not to mention the absorption of carbon dioxide by forests and oceans as well as climate management.
The ecosystem 'service' is based on biodiversity^*1. As one of our biodiversity preservation activities, Nikon is supporting the Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project, sending employees and their families as volunteers. The participants can get a greater understanding of the preservation of biodiversity through this cooperative project.

*1Biodiversity is the abundance and balance of a variety of species and their habitat. The term 'biodiversity' is used in a broad sense and includes a variety of genes.

Humans Assist with Forestry Issues to Make Stronger Forests That Can Withstand Environmental Changes

In Japan, 67% of the land is occupied by forests. Now, devastation of artificially planted forests that make up 40% of forests in Japan has become a big problem. The Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project targets an artificial forest that has suffered from large-scale damage due to disease and harmful insects since 2002. A single-species forest is superior in productivity and economics; however, all living things in such a forest may face high risks of extermination due to disease, harmful insects and environmental change (abnormal weather conditions) because there is no biodiversity. The Project aims to thin out the artificial forest in rows and plant various broadleaf trees that grow naturally around Mt. Fuji. Mixed planting of broadleaf and coniferous trees that resist environmental changes will be promoted steadily and quickly ("natural renewal^*2").

*2Natural reforestation based on seeds falling or scattering from surrounding trees, and then beginning to sprout and grow.

Cooperative Project with Diverse Member

The Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project was planned by the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International (OISCA. President: Ms. Yoshiko Nakano). The Yamanashi Prefectural government, several companies, local citizens and environmental conservation groups are participating in the project. Through the cooperation of these various groups, purposes and methods can be unified, making it possible to reforest a large area of damaged forest more quickly and to evoke greater public interest and contributions in the near future. Study meetings and debriefing sessions after the monitoring studies are regularly held to promote a greater understanding of the project.

Tree Planting Activity with Nikon Group Volunteers

On May 28, Nikon Group employees and their families, 87 people in total, joined in the 2011 tree planting activity.
Despite heavy rain due to the unseasonable typhoon, the participants worked together to plant 1,000 saplings in a 1-hectare area. The young trees were carefully nurtured from seeds in a native forest near Mt. Fuji.

"Wood guards" made of bioplastic were erected to prevent the saplings from being eaten by deer. (May 2011)

Volunteers were given technical advice by an instructor. (May 2010)

Weeds were removed while natural saplings and wild flowers were left as they were. (August 2009)

The Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project is in its fifth year since it began in 2007. This year saw the end of actual tree planting activity; the project will now shift its focus to protecting and growing the saplings.

Project Outline

Place	Yamanashi Prefectural government-owned forest in Narusawa-mura, Mt. Fuji (1,600m above sea level. Targeted area: About 100 hectares of forest. Planting area: 40 hectares of the targeted area.)
Type of activity	Joint project with the Yamanashi Prefectural government, forestry-related people, companies and eight other groups
Activities	Maintenance such as planting trees and removing weeds by volunteers. Long-term fostering and preservation activities such as removing weeds and trimming by specialists
Planted tree species	Broadleaf trees that grow naturally around Mt. Fuji (oak, beech, painted maple, Japanese alder, and Japanese wild cherry)

The Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International (OISCA)
Public organization with input from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Outline of the Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project executed by OISCA (Japanese)