CSR activities in FY2023
Preserving Biodiversity
The NTN Group, in cooperation with residents and non-profit organizations (NPOs), contributes to local communities through sustainable forest management. Specifically, we work to conserve forest ecosystems, such as appropriate thinning and afforestation. We are also working actively on activities to preserve biodiversity, including protecting endangered species in the vicinity of each business site, and maintaining nature parks. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been continuing with our activities by adjusting the number of participants and taking thorough measures to prevent infection, as a part of efforts to ensure the continuity of our social contribution efforts.
Initiatives to Preserve Biodiversity
Implementation of “Kigyo no Mori” Activities
The NTN Group in Japan implements “Kigyo no Mori” activities with the aim of realizing a sustainable society. This is an initiative undertaken in cooperation with the local community for the purposes of protecting the environment and revitalizing regions. Main activities include tree planting, forest conservation, environmental education, and cooperative events with the community, and the initiative has a track record of improving biodiversity through the planting of many trees, revitalizing regional economies, and conducting environmental education. Going forward, we will continue to expand the tree-planting areas and introduce new technologies as we strive to build a sustainable future.
■“NTN Kigyo no Mori” Implementation Status
| Activity | Overview | Target region | Start date | Scale (hectares) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Mori no Sato-Oya” Program (Adopt-a-forest) | Support Komagane-shi and carry out forest maintenance activities in cooperation with the city, such as tree planting and underbrush cutting. | Komagane-shi, Nagano, Japan | From April 2006 | 21.9 |
| “Nagomi no Mori” (Forest of Relaxation) | Participate in the “Kigyo no Mori” project promoted by Nishimuro-gun and carry out forest maintenance activities such as tree planting and underbrush cutting. | Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan | From January 2017 | 0.45 |
| “Shizuoka Mirai-no-mori Supporter” (Supporters of Shizuoka’s Future Forests) | Participate in the “Shizuoka Mirai-no-mori Supporter” program organized by Shizuoka Prefecture, cut underbrush, maintain wild bird preserves, maintain mountain trails, etc. | Iwata-shi, Shizuoka, Japan | From April 2008 | 15.0 |
| “Kigyo to no Kyodo no Mori-zukuri” (Corporate-public forest planting) | Under the “NTN Kigyo no Mori” program and using land owned and loaned by Mimasaka-shi, activities such as tree planting, forest maintenance, mushroom cultivation, and nature observation walks are conducted. | Mimasaka-shi, Okayama, Japan | From April 2008 | 1.0 |
| “NTN Komorebi no Mori” | At Mt. Tado, a symbol of Kuwana, approximately 4.24 hectares of land on loan from private landowners is used to conduct activities such as planting wild cherry blossom and maple trees as well as forest cultivation activities, thereby contributing to the preservation of forest environment while promoting regional exchanges and development. | Kuwana-shi, Mie, Japan | From November 2010 | 4.24 |
Protection of Endangered Species and Wild Animals, and Their Habitats
Preservataion of the Endangered Reverdin’s Blue (Butterfly)
Nagano Works (Minowa-machi, Kamiina-gun, Nagano, Japan) signed a biodiversity partnership agreement with Nagano Prefecture in 2019 and has established a sanctuary for the endangered Reverdin’s Blue (a butterfly species) within its premises to continue with preservation activities. The Reverdin’s Blue larvae are monophagous and feed only on indigo plants. With the impact of a decline in availability of larval food plants due to river improvement projects and residential land development in recent years, this butterfly species was designated as “Japanese Red Lists released by the Ministry of the Environment Endangered (EN)” in 2012. At Nagano Works, indigo plants have been planted in the sanctuary and are managed, while seasonal nectar plants that the adults can feed on have also been planted. As a result, we have successfully established the sanctuary as a habitat for Reverdin’s Blue butterflies. In December 2023, we held the Reverdin’s Blue Summit 2023 in Iijima Cultural Center, bringing together various organizations and companies engaged in activities to conserve Reverdin’s Blue butterflies. With an audience of over 100 people, the Director of the Environment Department of the Nagano Environmental Conservation Research Institute and a professor from the University of Tokyo Graduate School gave keynote speeches to offer in-depth insight into the topics of endangered species and environmental changes. In addition, activities by Nagano Works were presented as part of a report on activities by conservation groups, raising awareness among participants that the NTN Group is committed not only to production activities but also to environmental conservation. We also announced that we will continue to work with various local conservation groups to increase the population of Reverdin’s Blue butterflies, and to further promote their settlement in the sanctuary in Nagano Works. Going forward, NTN Group will continue with these activities as part of its environmental conservation efforts.
■Reverdin’s Blue (a butterfly species) Protection Area Number of adult occurrences (Nagano Works)
■Reverdin’s Blue butterfly (male) sucking nectar from the Erigeron Philadelphicus flower (Nagano Works)
Conservation of the Habitat of the Endangered Callery Pear
NTN Mie Corporation (Kuwana-shi, Mie, Japan) has concluded the Mie Biodiversity Partnership Agreement with Mie Prefecture, Kuwana City, and the NPO Tado Nature Development Association, on conservation activities for the callery pear (known locally as “inu-nashi”), a national natural monument. The callery pear is a plant from the rose family, and it has been designated as “Japanese Red Lists released by the Ministry of the Environment Endangered (EN).” Mt. Tado in Kuwana-shi, where NTN Mie Corporation is based, is the largest habitat for this plant in Japan. To conserve this habitat, NTN Mie Corporation provides the necessary supplies for activities, while employees and their families participate in conservation activities in spring and autumn, such as cutting the grass in the surrounding areas so that sunlight can reach the callery pear seedlings.
■Briefing workers engaged in setting up markers (NTN Mie Corporation)
Environmental Contribution to the Community
As part of our environmental contribution to the local community, the NTN Group promotes environmental protection activities in cooperation with the local community. These activities include clean-up activities, weeding, and tree planting along roads, rivers and coastal areas, and parks near the business sites. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with the residents and other stakeholders and put further effort into building good relationships with them.
Clean-up activity near Tenryu River
Nagano Works (Minowa-machi, Kamiina-gun, Nagano, Japan), jointly with the neighboring NTN Kamiina Corporation, participates in the Tenryu River Environmental Picnic organized by the Nagano Industrial and Commercial Encouragement Organization every year. Based on the theme of “restoring the Tenryu River where we can swim, to build a recycling-oriented society,” this activity was held for the 27th time in May 2023, and welcomed more than 3,400 participants from 78 organizations. A total of 54 employees from NTN Group participated (31 from Nagano Works and 23 from Kamiina Corp.) and carried out clean-up activities around Tenryu River, against the backdrop of the snowy Central (“Chuo”) Alps of Japan. The volume of waste collected through the Environmental Picnic activity has been decreasing every year, and there is a genuine sense that employees as well as residents have understood the significance of environmental beautification and conservation activities, as well as gaining greater awareness of the importance of the natural environment.
■Clean-up activity by the riverside (Nagano Works, Kamiina Corp.)
Participating in the “Okayama Adopt” Promotion Project
Okayama Works (Bizen-shi, Okayama, Japan) was certified by Okayama Prefecture as a participating organization in the “Okayama Adopt” promotion project in 2014. For about a decade since then, Okayama Works has been carrying out cleaning and beautification activities, such as picking up garbage and weeding, at the roads, rivers, and parks around the business site, at a pace of four times a year. This project not only deepens employees' attachment to the shared assets of the community, but also facilitates active engagement in the preservation of biodiversity. Through the activities, employees of Okayama Works are developing stronger awareness of contributing to the local community, while also helping to create a sustainable environment. Going forward, we will strive to protect the Earth's environment while coexisting with the local community.
■Picking up garbage along the roads near Okayama Works (Okayama works)
