Group Forest in Rumoi, Hokkaido Certified as a Nature Harmony Site
-Contributes to Habitat for Rare Plants and Animals on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List of Vulnerable Wildlife Species-

February 27, 2024
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

Tokyo, Japan, February 27, 2024 – Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., a leading global real estate company headquartered in Tokyo, announced that Yudoromap Forests (163.73 ha) in Rumoi, Hokkaido, a part of the Group’s forestland, has been certified by the Ministry of the Environment as a “Nature Harmony Site”*1 as of March 18, 2024. In March 2023, the Group created a basic plan on considering biodiversity in Group-owned forestland, appropriately managing man-made forests by planned thinning, and maintaining biodiversity through natural forest, riparian trees and ponds. The Ministry of the Environment determined that the forest contributed to protection of rare plants and animals designated as vulnerable on the ministry’s Red List.

< Yudoromap Forests in Rumoi, Hokkaido>
A diverse environment of natural and planted trees form a mosaic landscape that nurtures biodiversity.

< Japan crawfish move through mountain streams >
(Vulnerable species)

< Cephalanthera longifolia seen in planted forest >
(Vulnerable species)

■Mitsui Fudosan Group’s Creation of the “Never-Ending Forest”

Based on its philosophy of seeking to link diverse values, coexist in harmony with society and achieve a sustainable society, as symbolized by the Mitsui Fudosan “&” logo, the Mitsui Fudosan Group has adopted “& EARTH” as its Group Vision and is working to foster social and economic development as well as global environmental preservation.

As one aspect of these conservation activities, the Group owns approx. 5,000 ha (equivalent to approx. 1,063 Tokyo Domes) and is implementing a cycle of creating sustainable, “never-ending forests,” which involves the steps of planting, cultivating, and using.

Regarding protection of biodiversity, we have participated since its start in the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity*2, which seeks to effectively protect healthy ecosystems for over 30% of land and sea by 2030. It works to maintain sustainable forests by protecting natural trees with consideration for biodiversity and engaging in sustainable forestry with planted forests. All the forests we own have obtained forestry management certification from the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council (SGEC), which certifies that the forests are being appropriately managed, socially, economically, and environmentally. https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/and_forest/english/

■Habitat for Rare Plant and Animal Species at the Yudoromap Forests

The Yudoromap Forests forms a secondary, natural patchwork mosaic landscape with planted trees like Sakhalin fir, natural trees (secondary growth from around 80 years ago), riparian trees, grassland (logged-off land and prepared ground), and ponds (formerly reservoirs for industrial use). The species found differ with each environment, and according to a June 2023 survey before applying for certification, 10 rare species were found. Of them, four are on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List of vulnerable species, including the black woodpecker. There were five near threatened species and one near threatened species in Hokkaido. Rare species were found not only in natural forests but also in planted forests, grasslands (prepared ground), riparian forests, and ponds, and in each environment diverse plants and animals suited to the respective environment were thriving.

55-year-old planted Sakhalin firs

Inside a natural forest

Japanese crawfish move through mountain streams

Cephalanthera longifolia found in a planted forest

Black woodpecker in dead tree still standing

Along with new and existing projects, the Group is considering expanding certification as a Nature Harmony Site for its owned forestland, and it will continue contributing to social and economic development and protection of the global environment through creating “never-ending forests” for the forestland it owns.

• 1 Nature Harmony Site: An area recognized by the government as working to protect biodiversity through private-sector initiative. Certified areas, other than overlap with protected areas, are registered in an international database as OECM, other effective area-based conservation measures.
• 2 The 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity: 30by30 is the goal of effectively protecting as healthy ecosystems 30% of land and sea by 2030 in order to stop the loss of biodiversity and restore the connection between people and nature. To achieve the goal, going forward, Japan will expand current protected land (20.5% of land areas and 13.3% of sea areas of 2020). The organization was started by willing companies, municipalities, and groups to promote efforts for certification of areas protected by the private sector as OECM.
  Ministry of the Environment’s official 30by30 website:
  https://policies.env.go.jp/nature/biodiversity/30by30alliance/ (In Japanese)
  
  

■ Mitsui Fudosan Group’s Contribution to SDGs

https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/esg_csr/
The Mitsui Fudosan Group aims for a society that enriches both people and the planet under the principles of coexist in harmony with society, link diverse values and achieve a sustainable society, and advances business with an awareness of the environment (E), society (S) and governance (G), thus promoting ESG management. By further accelerating its ESG management, the Group will realize Society 5.0, which the Japanese government has been advocating, and contribute significantly to achieving the SDGs. Additionally, the Group formulated the following Group guidelines related to “Realize a Decarbonized Society” and “Diversity & Inclusion Promotion” in November 2021, and “Biodiversity” in March 2023. The Mitsui Fudosan Group will continue to work toward solving social issues through neighborhood creation.

[References]
・Group Action Plan to Realize a Decarbonized Society
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2021/1124/
・Formulated Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Declaration and Initiatives Policy
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2021/1129_02/
・Mitsui Fudosan Group Biodiversity Policy
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2023/0413/

* The initiatives covered in this press release are contributing to three of the UN’s SDGs.