Fairwood News 2010
- Dec. 21, 2010
- Hachette Fujingaho obtained both FSC and PEFC: Japan’s first case as publishing company
- Dec. 15, 2010
- Starbucks Coffee received first LEED certification to its stores in Japan
- Nov. 26, 2010
- Ministop opened eco-friendly store built with FSC-certified domestic wood
- Oct. 14, 2010
- Yamaguchi Pref. established a unique certification scheme for carbon sink
- Sep. 16, 2010
- Mitsui’s company forest acquired AA+ from Japan Habitat Evaluation and Certification Program
- August 27, 2010
- Japan-China MOU on measures against Illegal logging
- July 29, 2010
- Major Housing Companies Recognize Certification Timber
- June 1, 2010
- Café in Akihabara will use “reuse” wood for renovation
- May 31, 2010
- COSMOS INITIA Co.,Ltd. developed an environmental concept for construction of condominiums and houses
- May 31, 2010
- Panasonic, together with two of their group companies developed common guideline for wood procurement for biodiversity conservation
- May 26, 2010
- Forestry Agency: Law concerning the promotion of the use of wood such as public buildings" was approved
- Feb. 5, 2010
- Ministry of the Environment: "Carbon Offset Certification Labels" Introduced to Promoting Green Purchasing Law
- Feb. 2, 2010
- Environmental Protection PR: Commercialization of Floor Material that was certified by Forest Stewardship Council / Nankai-Plywood
- Feb. 1, 2010
- The Oji Paper Company Ltd. expands tree plantation projects, intending to ensure stable supply of wood chips.
- Jan. 27, 2010
- WOOD ONE CO., LTD. 8 branches are certified by The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for the Controlled wood and COC
- Jan. 29, 2010
- Toyota obtained a third-party certification for a tree-planting project in the Philippines
Hachette Fujingaho obtained both FSC and PEFC: Japan’s first case as publishing company
[December 21, 2010: PR TIMES]
One of the Sumitomo Corporation’s business entity, Hachette Fujingaho Co., Ltd. obtained certifications from both FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).
As a major player in Japanese publishing industry, the company has so far been working on various programs for sustainable development. For the last few years, it has conducted careful considerations on several options through which it can contribute to reduce the environmental impact, particularly as a business entity which uses vast amounts of paper (10 thousand ton per year).
The conclusion it reached was to introduce the FSC and PEFC certified paper, which requires all parties in the chain of custody-paper mill, paper merchant, publisher and printer to be undergone thorough examination and certified. Hachette Fujingaho believes that the consistent management from production to CoC on the FSC and PEFC will help achieve the conservation of forest resources and thus fulfill its social responsibility.
Starting 2011, they plan to introduce certified paper with some of their monthly fashion magazines, such as ELLE JAPON and 25ans with an aim to full application to all other periodicals as much as possible.
Original article in Japanese
http://www.hfm.co.jp/info/top/csr
Starbucks Coffee received first LEED certification to its stores in Japan
[December 15, 2010: Starbucks Coffee Japan]
Two eco-friendly coffee stores, operated by Starbucks Coffee Japan, obtained LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This is the first case for retail stores in Japan. Two certified stores, Fukuoka Ohori Park store and Kyoto Research Park store, received the certification in the category of ‘New Construction’ and ‘Commercial Interiors’, respectively. The ‘New Construction’ certification to the Fukuoka Ohori Park store was the first case of all Starbuck Coffee stores in the world (about 16,800 stores in more than 50 countries).
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
Original article in Japanese
http://www.starbucks.co.jp/press_release/pr2010-460.php
Ministop opened eco-friendly store built with FSC-certified domestic wood
[November 26, 2010: Mai Comi Journal ]
On November 25, 2010, Ministop Co., one of the Japanese leading convenience store chains, announced its opening of the first eco-friendly store in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The store is built with a 100 percent domestic wood certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
The construction of this Ministop Hamamatsu-Shinbara Store started as part of a “model project for next generations of convenience stores with low carbon emissions,” which originally initiated by the Daiwa House Industry, and Ministop then participated in. Other eco-friendly features such as photovoltaic power facilities and LED lights are also applied to the store building.
Original article in Japanese
http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2010/11/26/015/
Yamaguchi Pref. established a unique certification scheme for carbon sink
[October 14, 2010: Japan Forestry Investigation Committee (j-fic)]
Yamaguchi Prefecture has launched a new scheme to certify carbon reduction, absorption or fixation achieved through local forest improvement and wood utilization within the Prefecture. While there have been an increasing number of local governments that introduced similar certification systems for forest carbon absorption, Yamaguchi’s case is more advanced in that it covers not just the absorption but also the reduction and fixation.
The activities which this scheme covers are: (i) forest maintenance activities (e.g. planting, brush cutting, thinning, pruning) funded by businesses; (ii) forest maintenance activities conducted by business employees; (iii) forestry biomass utilization (switching from fossil fuel to local woody biomass such as wood pellets); (iv) utilization of local timber resources for building public facilities and private houses.
Read more details (only available in Japanese)
http://www.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/cms/a17700/co2_ninsyou/gaiyou.html
Mitsui’s company forest acquired AA+ from Japan Habitat Evaluation and Certification Program
[September 16, 2010: Mitsui & Co., Ltd.]
Mitsui currently has company-owned forests in 73 locations throughout Japan, covering a total area of approximately 44,000 hectares. Among them, the one located in Kyoto Prefecture, referred to as Kiyotaki Forest, has received the second highest rating (AA+) from the Japan Habitat Evaluation and Certification Program (JHEP). This is the first case in Japan.
JHEP is a scheme which was established in December 2008 by the Ecosystem Conservation Society Japan, designed to quantitatively assess and certify the present state of biodiversity conservation or the levels of amelioration. By undertaking a comparative assessment between the state of biodiversity “ prior to a benchmark year (30 years before the year of land acquisition or application)” and that “ of 50 years after the benchmark year,” JHEP can gauge the contribution made by a company to the conservation and improvement of biodiversity in a certain area and prove it on a scientific basis.
Original article in Japanese
http://www.mitsui.com/jp/ja/release/2010/1189672_1493.html
Japan-China MOU on measures against Illegal logging
[August 27, 2010: Forestry Agency]
A forestry ministerial meeting was held in Beijing on August 27, and Japan and China confirmed the substantial agreement regarding the “Memorandum of Understanding on Combating Illegal Logging and Related Trade and Cooperation Concerning Support to Sustainable Forestry Management.”
More specifically, the two governments have agreed to make concerted efforts on the followings: (i) establishment of a scheme to certify the legitimacy of timbers and other wood products in China; (ii) support to measures against illegal logging in timber producing countries; (iii) capacity building and information exchange regarding the relevant domestic legislation, legal system, and international efforts; (iv) encouragement of independent efforts not only by suppliers but by consumers, as well as the exchange of private sector experiences; and (v) holding intergovernmental meetings as necessary.
Original article in Japanese
http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/press/boutai/100827.html
Major Housing Companies Recognize Certified Timber
[July 29, 2010: Japan Forest Products Journal] There are prominent signs that major housing companies are setting guidelines for wood procurement and more companies are including forest certification system into their guideline as a part of evaluation items.
Lumber Newspaper has conducted a questionnaires survey, targeting major housing companies about the status of use of “forest certification lumber”.
According to the survey result as well as additional interviews, 9 companies have developed the guidelines for wood procurement and companies that have not developed up the guideline yet are likely to do so in the near future. These 9 housing companies which have the procurement guidelines are: Sumitomo Forestry, Daiwa House Industry, Ichijo, Mitsubishi Estate Home, Tokyu Homes, Leopalace21, Sekisui House, MisawaHomes, and PanaHome.
In the case with major housing companies, the environmental NGOs have played an important role in development process of the guideline. The companies are largely divided into two categories. One category is to adopt procurement guideline to lessen a burden on the environment by phased approach, starting with identifying production areas, and then eliminating illegally logged lumber, and application of forest certification lumber. Another category uses the standard set by the Japanese timber industry, such as GOHO(legal) wood or domestic lumber.
Café in Akihabara will use “reuse” wood for renovation
[June 1, 2010: Akihabara Economic Newspaper] -
Tobimushi Co., Ltd. will be in charge of renovation of a café “Akihabara Culture Café Shatsukisute” in June. Tobimushi aims to "link the local forest with an urban city." One project is to utilize “reuse” wood in offices and shops in Akihabara and Kanda areas of Tokyo.
Original article in Japanese
http://akiba.keizai.biz/headline/1970/
COSMOS INITIA Co.,Ltd. developed an environmental concept for construction of condominiums and houses
[May 31, 2010] - COSMOS INITIA Co., Ltd., an real estate company has developed an environmental concept ”INITIA GREEN” to respond to environmental issues.
COSMOS INITIA will apply this concept as a first case to two of their condominiums in Nerima-ku, Tokyo which will be on sale starting July, 2010.
Original article in Japanese
http://www.cigr.co.jp/cosmosinfo/news/2010/news208.html
Panasonic, together with two of their group companies developed common guideline for wood procurement for biodiversity conservation
[May 31, 2010] -
Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd, and PanaHome Corporation developed the common procurement guideline "Panasonic wood green procurement guideline" with an aim to consider biodiversity in procurement of wood. With this guideline, they will categorize wood that they procure into “wood to prioritize”, “wood that meet the guideline,” and “wood to exclude,” and aim to reduce procurement of wood which do not meet their guideline. They will exchange information with suppliers regularly, and will verify the effect of the guideline. Based on the result achieved by this guideline, they intend to create numerical target in the future.
Original article in Japanese
http://www.nikkan.co.jp/news/nkx0920100531caag.html
Forestry Agency: Law concerning the promotion of the use of wood such as public buildings" was approved
[May 26, 2010: The Forestry Agency] - "Law concerning the promotion of the use of wood such as public buildings" (No.36 of the law in 2010) was approved in the 174th regular session of the Diet, and it was promulgated on May 26.
The aim of this law is to expand the demand for wood by promoting use of wood in building construction. The central government will promote the use of wood in public buildings which currently hold low rate of wood use. And this will urge local governments and private sector to use wood for buildings, including housing.
Original article in Japanese
http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/riyou/koukyou/index.html
Ministry of the Environment: "Carbon Offset Certification
Labels" Introduced to Promoting Green Purchasing Law
[Feb 5, 2010 : MoE] - The Japanese Cabinet today approved amendments
to the "basic policy for the procurement of eco-friendly goods,
etc." based on the provision in Article 6, Section 1 of the "Law
Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and
Services by the State and Other Entities (Law on Promoting Green Purchasing)."
Designated procurement items and evaluation criteria for them are
reviewed every fiscal year to further encourage a shift in demands
towards such goods as those contributing to reduction of environmental
impact.
The amendments include the addition of 11 items, elimination of 1
item and revision of the criteria for 52 items, making the total number
of the items 256 in 19 industries. The amendments also include the
addition of Carbon Offset Certification Labels to "3. Other Important
Matters Regarding Green Purchasing" of the basic policy, as goods
which will contribute to reduction of environmental impact.
News source (Japanese)
http://www.env.go.jp/policy/hozen/green/g-law/kihonhoushin.html
Environmental Protection PR: Commercialization
of Floor Material that was certified by Forest Stewardship Council
/ Nankai-Plywood
[Feb 2, 2010 : Shikoku Newspaper Co.] - Nankai-Plywood announced the
commercialization of flooring materials that are ecologically sustainable.
They have received an international certification from the Forest
Stewardship Council. These products should be on the market in April.
In addition this company has earned the following certifications by
January 21st; 1) purchasing and safekeeping of plywood that was certified
by the Forest Stewardship Council and 2) manufacturing and selling
of floor material that uses certified plywood. It will be labeled
as “Artfloor LIP Original Series” six millimeter thick floor material.
This is made by certified plywood covered with a cleaning tissue,
and it has characteristics of high durability and usefulness for renovation.
The price is about seven to ten percent higher than former products.
News source (Japanese)
http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/kagawa_news/economy/article.aspx?id=20100203000088
The Oji Paper Company Ltd. expands tree plantation
projects, intending to ensure stable supply of wood chips.
[Feb 1, 2010 : Sankei] - the Oji Paper Company Limited announced that
it will expand its tree plantation projects to five southern provinces
of Laos. It will establish a local subsidiary this month and plant
300,000 ha of trees, intending to ensure stable supply of wood chips
to serve wood pulp.
From 90s the company started overseas plantations and has already
planted some 200,000 ha in seven countries such as Australia, Vietnam,
and China. In Laos, the plantation was started at the southern region
from 2005 and the planted area reached 25,000 ha. This time the company
plans planting acacia and eucalyptus, which are fast-growing, to five
southern provinces in Laos such as Champassack over 40 years. The
planned area is 25,000 ha and has been devastated by burn agriculture.
It will also conduct 5,000 ha of “farmer plantations” by providing
nursery trees to local residents and purchasing the grown trees.
News source (Japanese)
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/business/100201/biz1002011703018-n1.htm
WOOD ONE CO., LTD. 8 branches are certified by
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for the Controlled wood and COC
[Jan 27, 2010 : Nikkei] - WOOD ONE CO., LTD. acquired the forest certification
that showed the use of the wood logged in the properly managed forest.
They begin to ship the certificated products of doors or flooring
materials and so on from April. Also, government agencies or major
home manufacturers give support to be spread the moving for adopting
the proper timber goods that notes environmental protection, and adjust
the system of the shipment for enhancement of competitiveness.
Four domestic factories and four overseas branches on Shanghai in
China or Philippines of WOOD ONE CO., LTD., acquired the certification
from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the international third
party until the middle of this month. WOOD ONE CO., LTD.'s group companies
manage the forest of 68,000 hectares in New Zealand and established
the system which supplied the proper timber from the forest management
the construction timber or the distribution by themselves.
News source (Japanese)
http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/retto/20100126c6b2601t26.html
WOOD ONE's website (Japanese)
http://www.woodone.co.jp/fsc/index.html
Toyota obtained a third-party certification for
a tree-planting project in the Philippines
[Jan 29, 2010 : Asahi] - Toyota Motor Corporation announces that on
December 20, 2009, its tree-planting project in the town of Penablanca
(about 500 km north of Manila), Cagayan province in the north of the
island of Luzon, Philippines obtained a gold rating of CCB standards*.
This project has was begun in September 2007,
Evaluating that this certification proved the quality of the planning
and the project steadily achieved successful results, Toyota has decided
to carry out the second stage of the project for three years from
August 2010 to July 2013.
*CCB standards : The Climate, Community and Biodiversity Project Design
Standards
News source (Japanese)
http://www.asahi.com/business/pressrelease/JCN201001290007.html
Press release on the Toyota's website (English)
http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/10/01/0129.html