Nippon Paper concludes agreement for the purpose of conserving National Forest of Iriomote Island

Nippon Paper entered into an agreement with the Forestry Agency Kyushu Regional Forest Office Okinawa District Forest Office to carry out forest conservation activities such as the eradication of non-native plants on the approximately nine hectares of national forest of Iriomote Island.

This agreement is based on the “People’s participation in the forest management through agreement” system of the Forestry Agency to provide national forests for the promotion of public participation in the creation of forests through a variety of forest maintenance and conservation activities.

In addition, the Company concluded an agreement regarding collaborative activities with the Iriomote Island Ecotourism Association, a specified not-for-profit organization, which has been a partner in activities carried out for the preservation of nature and traditional culture on Iriomote Island since 1996.

The Company had formerly managed forests on the national land of Iriomote Island. Iriomote Island is covered with highly diverse forests, including Japan’s largest mangrove forest and subtropical broad-leaved trees, providing a habitat for precious animal and plant species. One such species is the Iriomote wild cat, which has been designated a special national treasure.

However, large numbers of invasive non-native plants have been found over an extensive area, and it is feared that these will have an impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity of the region. Therefore, the Company decided to collaborate with the Iriomote Island Ecotourism Association to promote forest conservation activities, harnessing the experience that the Company has cultivated by the forest management of company-owned forests nationwide over many years and the activities for the conservation of Blakiston’s Fish Owl (an endangered species type IA) carried out with the Wild Bird Society of Japan in company-owned forest in the Hokkaido region.

As “a comprehensive biomass company shaping the future with trees,” the Company manages the forest in an appropriate manner and provides a wide range of products and services that utilize the trees as a renewable resource. The Company will continue to contribute to the creation of a recycling-based society.