No.8730   2004. 4. 1

Suntory to promote water source preservation activities
on areas surrounding owned factories
- “Agreed with local entities on forest maintenance
around “Suntory Hakushu Distilleries”-

Suntory Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, President: Nobutada Saji) decided its vision to proceed with water source preservation activities as forestry protection in the periphery of factories in various places. It is to promote preservation of water source and greening resource maintenance.

Suntory started the maintenance of Suntory “Forest of Natural Water’” (Aso County, Kumamoto prefecture) in 2003 as the source of Kyushu Kumamoto Factory. Adding to this, Suntory planned and agreed with local entities to maintain the approximately 62 ha forestry near Hakushu Distillery in Yamanashi prefecture, in cooperation with National Land Afforestation Organization. It is scheduled to start from this summer. Moreover, Suntory will start cultivation activities, research and etc. in the periphery of Yamazaki Distillery and beer factories in Musashino, Kyoto, and near the Tone River, in cooperation with local governments in various places within 2004.

Suntory will also deploy environmental education of Suntory “School of Forest and Water” for elementary school students in these areas for preserving water source, with themes of nature such as forest and water. (Opened Suntory “Forest of Natural Water’” in March 2004.)

• Vision for Water Source Preservation Activities

Suntory has proceeded with continuous conservational activities based on corporate philosophy of “resonating with people and nature”, since most of products’ raw materials are sourced from natural wealth. Highly esteeming “water” in particular, Suntory is to strengthen resource protection activities for 2004, with the slogan of “Living with water. Suntory”. Through this, further fulfillment of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is to be achieved while proceeding with activities that contribute to create a sustainable society.

Suntory named the approximately 102 ha forest as Suntory “Forest of Natural Water”, that spreads across the outer rim of a crater of Aso, Kumamoto prefecture. It is to start water source preservation and forest protection activities, while maintaining the forest as “forest of recreation and relaxation” where people can interact with nature. For the forest protection activities, various effects are expected including water source cultivation, global warming measures, land conservation, and ecological protection. Suntory also plans to enlarge the water source preservation and forest protection activities in other areas.

• Water Source Preservation Plan in Hakushu, Yamanashi (near Hakushu Distillery)

Suntory, in cooperation with National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization, agreed to maintain the approximately 62 ha forestry, that is the adjacent area of “Forest of Forestry Culture ‹Forest of Kamanashi Resource›” in Yamanashi prefecture close to Hakushu Distillery. This is to start the forestry maintenance through official procedures, aiming for healthy forest-making in medium and long term perspectives. The forest maintenance is to proceed with the following concepts: 1) Cultivated forestry providing high functional capabilities; 2) Forestry suitable for inhabitation of diverse wildlife; and 3) Forestry enables to interact with rich nature. Moreover, in order to try and improve environmental awareness among corporate members, Suntory will actively utilizes the forest as a place for environmental education including volunteer activities, and will develop plans for Suntory “School of Forest and Water” in cooperation with local community for the next year and onwards. Hakushu distillery has also worked on volunteer activities since 2003 on the “partnership of forestry maintenance”, which has been operating to this day.

At the same time, Hakushu Distillery protects the 82.5 ha forestry located within the factory site by running bird sanctuary within the area.

For other areas, Suntory will proceed with research and other activities starting this year. On the periphery of Musashino Beer Factory, Suntory has already cooperated and participated with other companies, local governments and local residents for the research of conservation and regeneration activities of Tanzawa Taizan in Kanagawa prefecture.

‹ Reference›

Suntory “School of Forest and Water”

It is an on-site training that utilizes five senses with a theme of forest and water. Children will play in the “Forest of Natural Water” and learn about splendid quality of the forestry and importance of finite water, led by local instructors of the forestry. The program is to become a part of integrated study for the children, aiming to foster the next generation who will be responsible for the earth environment.

Suntory has prepared five various courses according to seasonal changes. The courses are to be held 22 times within March to November at Suntory “Forest of Natural Water” (Aso County, Kumamoto prefecture) for the year of 2004.

For enquiry of the information, please contact
Suntory Customer Center Toll free number: 0120-139-310
(Osaka) Dojimahama 2-1-40, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-8203, Japan
(Tokyo) Moto-Akasaka 1-2-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8430, Japan
Wine website: http://www.suntory.co.jp/