Suntory Limited, a participant in the Forestry Agency's "Corporate Forest*" program, concluded an agreement on Wednesday, February 28 with the Kinki and Chugoku Regional Forest Office. This marks the first step in Suntory's conservation and development of forests to serve as sources of fresh water in the Okudaisen area, as part of the company's "Forest of Natural Water" program here.

In this program, Suntory works with local organizations to develop forests that provide excellent sources of fresh water, to protect ecosystems, and to offer reforestation opportunities that bring people into contact with the natural environment. Eight sites in Japan have benefited from Suntory's efforts to protect sources of water.

As part of Suntory's "Forest of Natural Water" program, the company will protect and nurture national forests near Suntory Natural Water Products Buna No Mori Plant in Okudaisen (under construction in Tottori), entrusted to Suntory under the name "Forest of Natural Water Okudaisen." Employee forest conservation activities have also been planned in this area.

*Corporate Forest Program

This program was created by the Forestry Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to develop forest resources. It involves two aspects of environmental stewardship: sharing in forest conservation and tree planting. By participating in the former efforts, Suntory is a co-owner of existing planted or natural forests on public land and contributes to conservation. In this work, the Forestry Agency oversees periodic thinning of forests and other conservation activities.