Toshiba promotes efforts to protect nature, prevent global warming and conserve biodiversity.
Under the Environmental Vision, Toshiba Group has been operating green businesses to build a sustainable society by creating a lifestyle in harmony with the earth. Recently we decided to take action outside our main businesses, and started a new project called "1.5 Million Tree-planting Project." This activity aims to prevent global warming, conserve biodiversity by planting 1.5 million trees by 2025 which is a year Toshiba celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Our plan is to improve forests in Japan where major Toshiba's operations are located, such as Tokyo, Shizuoka, Hyogo and Oita. For overseas countries we focus in Asia where we have close business relationships, but also in other countries such as North and South America, Europe, and Africa. After four years since the project started the accumulative number of trees planted has reached 600,000 trees in 2008.
The forests take an important role in conserving global environment as well as bringing spirit of comfort and wealth to people's mind. Through this afforestation project, Toshiba aims to deliver these feelings to people and to the children of the next generation all over the world, and contribute to foster people who loves nature.
As of March 2009, the number of trees planted has reached 600,000.
Toshiba Group employees participated in the tree-planting activities.
Afforestation at schools in Mysore, India (September, 2007)
Toshiba provides financial support to the OISCA (Organization forIndustrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancemen International) in southern India to help their project to plant 40,000 trees at schools in Mysore, India. 10,500 trees were planted in 2007.
Forest maintenance project in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture (October 12, 2007)
Toshiba made a financial contribution to a 1,000 tree-planting project run by Sado City of Niigata, intended to provide nesting places for the Japanese crested ibis.
Afforestation at schools in Kenya (December, 2007)
Toshiba provides financial support to an afforestation project in Kenya by ICA (Institute of Cultural Affairs) to plant 48,000 trees. 13,550 trees were planted at three schools this year.
Contribution of fir trees to Shibaura Elementary School (December in 2007)
After the Eco-products Exhibition in Tokyo, 31 fir trees and seedlings displayed were donated to the Shibaura Elementary School.
Afforestation at schools in Phom Penh, Cambodia (December, 2007)
During the 9th Cambodia Volunteer Tour of Toshiba Group Union, employees built swings and planted 6 trees at an elementary school.
Afforestation in the highlands of northern Luzon, Philippines (2008)
Financial support was provided to CGN (Cordillera Green Network), a non-profit organization operating in the area, in order to make "Toshiba Forest" by working on afforestation between 2008 and 2009. This year, residents of Hapao Village and Kabayan area have planted 24,071 trees.
Maintenance of forests in Kameoka City, Kyoto (February, 2008)
Toshiba signed an agreement with Kyoto to take care of the 68 hectares of devastated forests in Kameoka City, Kyoto for five years, starting with 3.2 hectares in 2007.
Afforestation in Iguacu, Paraguay (March 2008)
Toshiba made financial aid to an afforestation project to plant 40,000 trees run by OISCA Paraguay Office. Lguacu Japanese Society planted 1,530 trees in 2007.
Distribution of tree seedlings at Eco-products Exhibition in Vietnam (March, 2008)
600 seedlings were distributed to visitors at the Eco-products International Exhibition held in Hanoi.
Afforestation in Mount Fuji Kids’ Wonderland in Shizuoka (March, 2008)
Toshiba Carrier Corp. signed the "Supporter for the Future of Forests" agreement with Shizuoka Prefecture, which is to be responsible for the maintenance of 24 hectares of forest within the Mount Fuji Kids’ Wonderland at the foot of the mountain. In the first year, 285 participants, including employees, their families, and local residents planted 3,000 trees in 4 hectares of the land.
Contribution of seedlings to the 13th Spring Arbor Day in Nikko City (April, 2008)
Continuing from last year, Toshiba provided 3,000 seedlings to the 13th Spring Arbor Day event held at the Ashio refinery pollution site in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Employees from Group companies joined the planting activity as volunteers.
Afforestation in Toshiba Business Forest (Mitake) (May, 2008)
Toshiba was the first corporation that joined the "Forest with less pollen" campaign by Tokyo and already has started working on the forest in Mitake-chiku, Ome City, Tokyo. This year, increasing the number from the first planting of 1,500 trees, 4,500 trees were planted in the land of 1.5 hectares by employees at Ome Complex and their families, as well as some local residents. The number of participants reached 95. Also, Ome Complex and Fuchu Complex made donations worth 6,000 seedlings.
Contribution of seedlings to the 8th Oita Afforestation Event (May 17, 2008)
Toshiba donated 2,000 seedlings for the 8th Oita Afforestation Event held in Kujyu-machi, Taketa City in Oita Prefecture.
Afforestation by companies in Oita (May, 2008)
Toshiba signed an agreement with Oita Prefecture to be responsible for the maintenance of 7.1 hectares of forest in Yufu City, Oita. In the first year, the work was commissioned to the Forestry Cooperative of Oita and 3,300 trees were planted in an area of 1.1 hectares.
Weeding at Toshiba Business Forest (Mitake) in Tokyo (October, 2008)
We are the first corporation to join the “Forest with less pollen” campaign initiated by Tokyo and since 2006, we have been working on the forest in Mitake-chiku, Ome City, Tokyo. In 2008, 37 employees from the Ome Complex participated in the weeding of previously afforested area in order to help the growth of trees.
Business Forest agreement in Hyogo (October, 2008)
In support of the Hyogo Prefecture's “Business Forest” project, Toshiba has signed an agreement to be responsible for the maintenance of 36 hectares of forest owned by Shiso City for a period of five years. A ceremony was held to plant a memorial tree in celebration.
Memorial tree-planting in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (September, 2008)
The Toshiba Group companies in Vietnam gathered to plant 500 trees in the Saigon Safari Park in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic relation establishment of Vietanam and Japan.
Tree-thinning experience day in Kameoka City, Kyoto (November, 2008)
As part of the Kameoka's forestation project, we had a “tree-thinning experience day” where employees joined the thinning operation in the morning and attended a lecture on forest management in the afternoon.
Framework agreement with Tokyo on forest management (November, 2008)
We became the first company in Japan to sign a framework agreement with a prefecture on forest management. This includes a further cooperation to the “Tokyo Business Forest” campaign, management of Tokyo's designated reserved forest in Takao, as well as a project to increase the use of Tama timber.
Reforestation agreement with Kanagawa Prefecture, Isehara City, and Isehara City Forest Cooperatives (March, 2009)
Toshiba became the first company to join the “Reforestation Partner” system promoted by Kanagawa Prefecture. As part of this, Toshiba signed an agreement, “Agreement on the Cooperation to the Reforestation Project in Kanagawa” with Kanagawa Prefecture, Isehara City, and Isehara City Forest Cooperatives. Under this agreement, the four parties will cooperate in the management of 150 hectares of forest owned by Isehara City. This will include thinning, planting and weeding.
Forest management at Mount Fuji Kids' Wonderland in Shizuoka (March, 2009)
Under the “Support for the Future of Forests” agreement signed with Shizuoka Prefecture, we planted 3,000 trees last year in the Kids' Wonderland. This year we performed supplementary planting where the seedlings had not grown.
Kids learn the importance of nature through rich experience in the forests.
"Explore the Forest Expedition" / Nature Watch Program
"Explore the Forest Expedition" and the Nature Watch Program are events that have been held since 2004 to provide children outdoor activity in real forests so that they will foster love and a better understanding of nature and gain motivation to protect it. In 2008, the Toshiba Forest in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Mount Fuji Kids' Wonderland in Shizuoka Prefecture, Forest Station Haga in Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, and Toshiba Business Forest in Mitake in Ome City, Tokyo were chosen for the event site. Children enjoyed learning about the function and mechanism of forests from a professional naturalist, Mr. Hiroshi Sasaki, and from Toshiba Group employees who qualify as Nature Interpreters of the Nature Conservation Society of Japan.
Minani Plus
This club was organized in September, 2005 by Toshiba Group employees who took the "Nature Watch Training Program" held under the cooperation with the Nature Conservation Society of Japan.
They are now actively participating in various nature watch events. Some of their activities last year include nature watch tours in the Toshiba Forest for the Komukai Toshiba Boys and Girls Inventors' Club in August, 2008 and bamboo cropping held once every two months at Toshiba Forest.
Seminars on environmental preservation issues
CSR Month Seminar (December 17, 2007)
Mr. Kiyoshi Mitani, the Chief of the Forest Project of the Tokyo Development Foundation for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was invited as a speaker for this event, and 90 Toshiba Group employees attended. His speech covered various topics including forests in Tokyo, in the world, and our future tasks, and the participants listened attentively.
Toshiba Environmental Exhibition Seminar (March 7, 2008)
Mr. Akira Miyawaki, an honorary professor at Yokohama National University, was invited as a speaker at this event titled "Afforestation in Your Hometown with Local Trees." A total of 200 people attended the event from inside and outside of Toshiba Group. A copy of the book published by the speaker "Let's plant trees." was given to each attendant.
Seminar in Toshiba Group Environmental Exhibition (February, 2009)
Toshiba is regularly hosting seminars not only for its employees but also for a public audience, aiming to promote the understanding of environmental preservation. In these seminars, we hand out free copies of books written on topics related to fostering nature lovers. This year, Mr. Shingo Imai from the Nature Conservation Society of Japan gave us a lecture under the title, “To pass on rich nature to the next generation: efforts in bio-diversity preservation as a member of society.” A total of 150 people attended the event from inside and outside of Toshiba Group, with the aim of enriching their understanding of nature conservation.
Working with the Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J), Toshiba held a Nature Watch Training Program to provide training for participants to become nature observation instructors. 60 people-half of which are Toshiba Group Employees -participated in a three-day program. Through outdoor training, participants learned about the basics of environmental protection and observation. After completing the course, they were recognized as NACS-J Nature Observation Instructors and are now serving at various nature watch events.
The Guide to Nature Observation in Shibaura, an introduction of nature around the Toshiba Building
“The Guide to Nature Observation in Shibaura” is a website created to help children understand that nature is on their doorstep. At fi rst glance, the area around Toshiba’s Tokyo headquarters is a completely urban Tokyo, but the website introduces the many kinds of birds, insects and plants living around the Toshiba Building in a user-friendly manner.
The Guide to Nature Observation in Shibaura (Japanese)
Local clean-up initiative
Toshiba Group is actively involved in local clean-up activities throughout its area of operations. From daily clean-ups involving just a handful of people to large-scale efforts involving hundreds of employees, over 10,000 Toshiba Group employees helped beautify their neighborhoods last year.
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