Native Forests for Life Initiatives

The pioneering figure in “Native Forests for Life” was the late Dr. Akira Miyawaki, who strove to recreate local natural forests through his tree planting method. His efforts were centered on the vegetation belonging to a region’s natural environment, its potential natural vegetation. By using the unique Miyawaki method of planting mixed species of trees, forests appropriate to the region are preserved and lead to protection from earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. We believe that Dr. Miyawaki’s Native Forests for Life initiative leads to personal growth on the part of both the people who plan and administer the tree planting ceremonies and the participants who learn as they plant trees, so the participation of local residents, including children, is an important feature of this tree planting method.

In March 2016, Daicel Corporation launched its Native Forests for Life Committee, chaired by the company’s president. The aims of this initiative are as follows:

Natural forests consist of a wide variety of tree species. Like one of these forests, we aim to become stronger personally and organizationally, with each staff member playing a role and supporting each other through forest development activities.

Through tree planting activities, we build ties with people in neighboring communities and help them understand our manufacturing activities and business operations by interacting with them.

We contribute to a low-carbon society and strive to preserve the natural environment.

We create forests that will, in turn, prevent fires from spreading, mitigate the damage from natural disasters, and reduce noise from human activity.

Daicel’s first tree planting ceremony was held at Harima Plant on April 9, 2016, and other plants have followed by holding their own tree planting ceremonies. Not only Daicel Group employees but also their families, employees of our partner companies, and local residents take part in planting trees, making these ceremonies opportunities for interactions between Daicel and local communities. In November 2019, we held tree planting ceremonies at Aboshi Plant, Hirohata Plant, and Innovation Park to commemorate our 100th anniversary, with about 1,500 participants planting 10,300 seedlings.

Following that, approximately 3,600 trees were planted at the Harima Plant, 600 at the Ohtake Plant, and 700 at the Kanzaki Plant between 2020 and 2023. Furthermore, the internal communication surrounding the maintenance and management of these trees has spurred more active communication within Daicel.