Natural Water Sanctuaries Across Japan

Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi

This Sanctuary has been established in the water-source conservation area shared by the Suntory Spirits Ltd. Gunma Brewery and the Suntory Products Ltd. Haruna Plant.

This page explains the initiatives of our Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi.

Agreement start date
December 2005 (the area has gradually expanded since then)
Area
About 1,310 ha
Applicable plant
Gunma Brewery, Suntory Spirits Ltd.
Haruna Plant, Suntory Products Ltd.
See more information on this Sanctuary

Restoring Hunting Grounds for the Mountain Hawk-Eagle

In our Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi, there was once a riverside area where the Mountain Hawk-Eagle used to hunt. Over time, this area became overgrown with vegetation, making it unsuitable for hunting.

To restore the area, the trees and undergrowth were cleared, and clusters of adjacent cedar trees were fully harvested. In their place, broadleaf trees were planted on the cleared land. The area beneath the trees now serves as shelter for small animals, and since the maintenance work, Mountain Hawk-Eagles have begun returning to hunt.

This area was once overgrown with vegetation, making it an impossible hunting ground for Mountain Hawk-Eagles
Riverside forest after management efforts

Bird names are listed in accordance with the Check-list of Japanese Birds, 8th Revised Edition.

Experts involved in this Initiative

Toru Yamazaki

President, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network

Takashi Fujii

Research Manager, Japanese Society for Preservation of Birds Research Department

Learn about the Eagle/Hawk-Nurturing Support Program

Creating Forest from Scratch

In this 2.6-hectare area that had been clear-cut before Suntory signed the conservation agreement, a Grand Tree-Planting Festival was held to begin nurturing a healthy forest for wildlife and groundwater replenishment, from the ground up.

Area where the Grand Tree-Planting Festival was held

The event brought together local elementary and high school students, community members, staff from the Gunma Forest Management Office, and Suntory employees to plant a variety of broadleaf trees. Through initiatives like this, Suntory employees and the local community are working together.

Suntory employees engaged in tree planting

Experts involved in this Initiative

Takeshi Tange

Senior Professor, The University of Tokyo

Learn about attention to detail in tree planting

Products Related to Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi

The high-quality groundwater nurtured by our Natural Water Sanctuaries, such as Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi, is used in Suntory beer products, including The Premium Malt’s. We provide products that prioritize both exceptional taste and uncompromising safety, harnessing the gifts of nature in their original form.

Learn about The Premium Malt’s dedication to water

Sanctuary Details

Corporate Forests
Location
Shimotazawa, Kurohone Town, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture
Area
About 10 ha
Agreement Start
December 2005
Agreement Period
30 years

Under the Forestry Agency’s corporate forest program, Suntory is working with the national government to promote forest conservation and cultivation.

Social Contribution Forest
Location
Kita-Akagisan, Akagi Town, Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture
Area
About 1,300 ha
Agreement date
December 2008
Agreement period
Five-year renewable agreement (intended to continue for 100 years)

An agreement has been signed with the Gunma Forest Management Office, part of the Kanto Regional Forest Bureau, under the “Forests for Social Contribution” initiative. Additionally, our “Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi 100-Year Forest Development Council” has been established to lead and promote these efforts.

Certification Information

In 2024, our Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi was the first national forest to be certified as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECM)*.
*These are areas recognized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as regions where biodiversity conservation is being effectively promoted through private sector efforts.

30by30 certification logo for Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures
See the list of Natural Water Sanctuaries across Japan