Regenerating 100-Hectare Forest in Mt. Fuji

Our reforestation-related activity on Mt. Fuji ended on September 9. We mobilized a total of ten companies and organizations, which is more than the number that we initially planned. Moreover, we have surpassed the initial target of maintaining the 2,000 planted trees. With the support of 700 volunteers in nine organized activities, we have managed to repair the nets of 2,300 trees to protect them from animal damage. With your support, we were able to achieve this year`s goal.

On the day of the OISCA activities, there were many participants from overseas, and the staff of the Embassy in Japan and young people visiting Japan for training worked up a sweat in the forest of Mt. Fuji, which is the symbol of Japan.

Embassy officials commented, "I felt that this was a very special initiative because many people represented various groups today." or "I am glad that I was able to participate in such a very meaningful activity. I hope they will continue to do so."

In addition, a person who has been participating in the activity for more than 10 years said, "The saplings, which were small at first, have grown much larger, and the surrounding trees have also grown, and the overall landscape has changed significantly. Mt. Fuji's activity is 100 years of forest development, so I hope that more and more young people will come in the future."

There were quite a number of families that participated in our activities. We had a total of 40 participating children. It is heartwarming for us to see parents and children working together as they reinstall nets on the trees. Such experience is not common for them, as most of them are first-timers. They were obviously enjoying the moment while inside the forest.

Meanwhile, we welcomed a group of 44 elementary school students and four teachers as they learned about forest development and Mt. Fuji`s environment. Due to the pandemic, this kind of activity was stopped for a while, but it was resumed for the first time in three years. Since our project site is conducive for children to learn about the natural environment, teachers were grateful we revive it.

The abnormal weather occurring in Japan and overseas, which is said to be the impact of climate change due to greenhouse gases, is being discussed worldwide. I hope that as we engage and educate children in our project, we help nurture future leaders who will initiate effective efforts towards carbon neutrality.

At our site, we have estimated that we still have 8,000 growing trees that need further protection. In order to guarantee their growth and survival, ongoing repair work needs to be continued and intensified.

We look forward to your continued support.