As a manufacturer of chemicals for electronic substrates and other devices, we use large quantities of water in our business activities. In the belief that we could make a contribution to the local community and environment by building forests to form headwater areas that would also help to prevent global warming, we are growing forests in the cities of Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, where our Nagaoka Factory is located, and Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, where we are headquartered.
Nagaoka MEC ForestIn Ozumi Mishimadani-machi, Nagaoka City
With a view to contributing to protection of water sources and absorption of carbon dioxide through growing forests, MEC started creating a forest on abandoned idle farmland obtained on lease in the Mishimadani district of Nagaoka City, which is close to its Nagaoka Office.
Placing emphasis not only on our employees’ contact with nature but also on exchanges with local residents, who usually have little contact with MEC, a tree-planting event was held in November 2008 inviting MEC employees and their family members, local residents, and other relevant people in the prefectural or municipal government. In addition, we also plant cherry blossom trees along the roads so that local residents and drivers passing by can enjoy them. Under the instruction of the members of local forestry cooperatives and the forestry promotion department, 1,300 broad-leaved trees, including zelkova (keyaki), Amur cork, pagoda tree, beech, Mongolian oak, and konara oak, are being nurtured.
We will continue maintenance operations to nurture a rich forest, while valuing the contact between our employees and local residents.
- On Saturday, June 8, 2024, under the strong sunlight and high humidity of the weather, 31 people worked to restore blocked waterways, clear undergrowth, and cut down trees that had broken under the weight of snow.This is an environmental improvement activity that improves drainage and promotes further growth of the forest.
Outline of MEC Forest
| Forest development site | In Ozumi Mishimadani-machi, Nagaoka City |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.6 hectare |
| Development operations | Planting keyaki and other broad-leaved trees (2008) Planting trees and cleaning undergrowth (2009 and subsequent years) |
Nagaoka MEC Forest activities
| Date | Activity | Description | Participants (persons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 8, 2024 | 20th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning, clean up fallen trees, rehabilitation of waterways filled with earth and sand | 31 |
| May 27, 2023 | 19th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning, thinning of trees, clean up fallen trees, rehabilitation of waterways filled with earth and sand | 30 |
| September 28, 2019 | 18th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning, thinning of trees | 26 |
| June 1, 2019 | 17th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning, marking trees for clearing | 34 |
| June 9, 2018 | 16th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning, fallen tree removal | 34 |
| June 3, 2017 | 15th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 32 |
| Oct. 15, 2016 | 14th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 30 |
| May 3, 2016 | 13rd maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 31 |
| Oct. 3, 2015 | 12nd maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 25 |
| May 30, 2015 | 11st maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 24 |
| Oct. 18, 2014 | 10th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 20 |
| May 17, 2014 | 9th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 25 |
| Oct. 19, 2013 | 8th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 17 |
| June 15, 2013 | 7th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 17 |
| Oct. 20, 2012 | 6th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 16 |
| June 16, 2012 | 5th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 12 |
| Oct. 15, 2011 | 4th maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 21 |
| June 12, 2011 | 3rd maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 27 |
| Oct. 16, 2010 | 3rd maintenance activity | Planted 30 broad-leaved trees, 350 cedar trees | 38 |
| June 12, 2010 | 2nd maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning | 16 |
| Oct. 17, 2009 | 2nd maintenance activity | Planted 60 broad-leaved trees, 350 cedar trees | 45 |
| June 20, 2009 | 1st maintenance activity | Underbrush cleaning, cleaned the surrounding area | 33 |
| Nov. 15, 2008 | 1st maintenance activity | Planted 500 broad-leaved trees, 7 commemorative cherry blossom trees | 60 |
Related information
Amagasaki MEC Forest- Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture -
MEC's forest-building activities in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture were followed by the start of similar activities in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, which is the site of our headquarters, in support of the Amagasaki 21st Century Forest Project promoted by the Hyogo Prefectural Government.
At the start of these activities, we made various preparations for tree-planting, including the recruitment of "sapling foster parents" who would grow saplings in their homes in 2010 and the growth of saplings on the roof of our laboratory in 2011.
We launched the forest-building activities in 2013, and have thus far planted broadleaf trees such as wild cherry and konara oak trees on a plot measuring 600 square meters. We are looking forward to the growth of the trees as we continue these activities.
Outline of Amagasaki MEC Forest
| Forest development site | Ogimachi 33-4, Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Area | 600 square meters |
| Development operations | Planting wild cherry, konara oak, and other broadleaf trees, and thinning, mowing undergrowth, etc. |
Amagasaki MEC Forest activities
| Date | Activity | Description | Participants (persons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 24, 2024 | 11th maintenance activity | Checking the growth of trees, thinning of trees, making firewood | 4 |
| October 21, 2023 | 10th maintenance activity | Undergrowth cleaning, thinning of trees | 23 |
| November 5, 2022 | 9th maintenance activity | Undergrowth cleaning, thinning of trees | 27 |
| November 9, 2019 | 8th maintenance activity 5th planting activity |
Undergrowth cleaning, thinning of trees Planted 10 trees,"Weigela hortensis," and "Callicarpa mollis" |
20 |
| November 3, 2018 | 7th maintenance activity | Maintenance of trees suffering from typhoon damage, undergrowth cleaning | 24 |
| November 11, 2017 | 6th maintenance activity | Thinned trees planted, trimmed branches, undergrowth cleaning, and set up the tree nameplates | 22 |
| July 1, 2017 | 5th maintenance activity | Thinned trees planted, trimmed branches, and undergrowth cleaning | 20 |
| June 25, 2016 | 4th maintenance activity | Undergrowth cleaning | 17 |
| Mar. 15, 2016 | 4th planting activity | Planted 150 oriental elm, "kunugi," and other trees in a 100-m2 area | 26 |
| July 11, 2015 | 3rd maintenance activity | Undergrowth cleaning | 11 |
| Mar. 14, 2015 | 3rd planting activity | Planted 200 oriental elm, "kunugi" (Quercus acutissima), and other trees in a 100-m2 area | 20 |
| June 12, 2014 | 2nd maintenance activity | Undergrowth cleaning and weeded the area | 5 |
| Mar. 15, 2014 | 2nd planting activity | Planted 200 konara oak and other trees in a 200-m2 area | 29 |
| Aug. 4, 2013 | 1st maintenance activity | Thinned the trees planted | 5 |
| Mar. 9, 2013 | 1st planting activity | Planted 300 konara oak, wild cherry, and other trees in a 200-m2 area | 31 |
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The 9th maintenance activity -
Amagasaki 21st Century Forest Project
The Amagasaki waterfront area once led Japan’s industry and economy, mainly in the heavy and chemical industries, while it lost a substantial part of its precious nature in the course of modernization, facing pollution and various other environmental challenges. The area has lost its vitality due to changes in the industrial structure in recent years, which generated unused factory sites and other problems, and thus measures to revitalize the area are urgently needed.
In view of this situation, hoping to revitalize the Amagasaki waterfront area and transform it into an attractive and lively community, the Hyogo Prefecture formulated the Amagasaki 21st Century Forest Project in March 2002, aimed at creating an eco-friendly community through developing a natural environment full of water and greenery, which would make people’s lives rich and comfortable.
After the launch of this project, many supporting enterprises have promoted the forest-creation (community-building) initiative, resulting in a decrease in the number of idle factory sites. Efforts are being continued to further improve the area, making effective use of its precious, unique assets, such as canals and factory buildings, through the participation and collaboration of the prefectural residents and businesses. (Excerpt from the Hyogo Prefectural Government website)