Maiko Muraoka - The Japan Times

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Maiko Muraoka

For Maiko Muraoka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Biomass will heat the facility and provide clean CO2 for the plants.

ESG CONSORTIUM

Feb 22, 2024

A hothouse of ecological ideas will produce tomatoes in Aomori

Starting in April, a project in the Aomori city of Mutsu, at the northern tip of Honshu, will grow tomatoes using a new cultivation method that will go beyond zero carbon and actually absorb more CO2 than it emits. Built on a large abandoned farm, the facility will also create 100 new jobs.

Hisashi Oka, president and CEO

ESG CONSORTIUM

Feb 14, 2024

OAT Agrio grows better farms with green tech, agrochemicals

OAT Agrio Co. Ltd. produces environmentally friendly fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals for the sake of both better food security and nature. In a recent interview with The Japan Times, the company’s president, Hisashi Oka, talked about its hands-on efforts to learn more and continue improving its products and services.

Double articulated track

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Jan 29, 2024

Seino delivers greener logistics through open public collaboration

Seino Holdings Co. Ltd. has been in the logistics business for more than 90 years. Last June, the Gifu-based company expanded its continuing efforts to be environmentally friendly when it announced a long-term vision of “Team Green Logistics” based on a concept of an open public platform.

The Tsukuba Geo Museum is a hands-on exhibition facility.

ESG CONSORTIUM

Jan 22, 2024

New geopark museum, cycle park showcase Tsukuba’s attractions

The Ibaraki city of Tsukuba in November launched a new facility, Mt. Tsukuba Gate Park, that focuses on promoting the charms of the Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark and supporting Japan’s cycling culture. City officials stationed there explained what the facility offers and how they aim to nurture the civic pride of local residents and their children.

Makoto Miyauchi, CEO of B-Lot

ESG CONSORTIUM

Jan 8, 2024

Young B-Lot is on the realty A list for renovations plus innovations

It has been 15 years since the founding of B-Lot Co., a real estate investment, consulting and management company, and nine years since it was publicly listed. It is still a relative youngster in the industry, which is also polarized between giant players serving large enterprises and small ones targeting individual customers and small businesses.

Group photo after an NTT smart city was certified Level 4

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Nov 6, 2023

NTT sustainable smart city effort is developing tools for well-being

As envisioned in its new fundamental principle, “Innovating a sustainable future for people and planet,” the NTT group has been contributing its strength as Japan’s leading telecommunications company to the realization of new values and a sustainable society using the power of data and technology.

Motosaburo Saito at the headquarters of Oji Holdings, a building that won the Wood Design Award

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Nov 6, 2023

Old-growth paper company Oji renews forests, products, vision

Oji Holdings, Japan’s leading paper manufacturer, is also its largest corporate forest owner. It studies and develops paper products and related materials and is committed to the maintenance of healthy forests. In a recent interview with The Japan Times, the general manager of Oji’s department on forest value creation, Motosaburo Saito, talked about the company’s new efforts in pursuing its commitment.

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (left) with Shinsuke Nakajima, executive chef at the Hotel New Otani Tokyo

ESG CONSORTIUM

Aug 18, 2023

Tottori, home of premium wagyu, offers great diversity of delicacies

Western Japan’s Tottori Prefecture, lying on the Sea of Japan and boasting the famous Mount Daisen and other peaks, has been a major beef-producing area since the Edo Period. Japan’s least populous prefecture is blessed with rich nature and clean air, abundant groundwater and high-quality straw — everything needed for raising healthy cattle. Ketaka cattle, the origin of many of the renowned wagyu brands across the country, were bred in this area.

Kyushu Kumamoto Plant, which received a platinum certification. | SUNTORY

ESG CONSORTIUM

Aug 8, 2023

Suntory replenishes a century of water stewardship

Born and raised in Naples, Oliviero Morelli joined MSC Cruises in 2004, and 11 years later became president of MSC Cruises Japan.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Mar 6, 2023

NTT projects in cities and forests use visual data to solve issues

Data is an important element in sustainable regional development. “The Sustainable Smart City Partner Program (SSPP) is carrying out projects to use data in visualizing regional attractions and solving regional issues in various cities across the country,” said Yojiro Onaru, senior manager of NTT Corp.’s Smart City, Strategic Business Development Division, in a recent online interview by The Japan Times. The true value of data emerges only when it is effectively used.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Feb 27, 2023

Seino delivers on the promise of faster, greener e-commerce

There is not one place in Japan where Seino Holdings Co. Ltd. doesn’t provide delivery service. Seino is one of Japan’s top commercial logistics companies, with 90 years of history, but if its own network is insufficient, it is ready to cooperate with others to make sure things get delivered to their destinations, wherever they are.

Japan Times

SATOYAMA CONSORTIUM

Feb 21, 2023

Fukuyama, Japan’s city of denim, spins surge in public awareness

Did you know a denim fabric made in Japan has its own history of development? It comes from Fukuyama, a city in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture that produces about 80% of Japan’s denim fabric.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Feb 7, 2023

Aomori’s Mutsu finds partners for the future through Singapore

The city of Mutsu in Aomori Prefecture is one of the most ambitious and open rural municipalities in Japan. It not only works to revitalize its area in sustainable ways using existing geographic, natural, historic and cultural resources but also collaborates with international players to promote the city’s charms globally.

Japan Times

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Dec 19, 2022

Tsukuba’s outlying R8 districts realize and promote their charms

“There is nothing in this town” — this is a phrase you too often hear when asking a resident of a rural area in Japan about places to go and things to see. And it was exactly what many participants said in 2018 at the first residents’ workshop for the promotion of the area surrounding the central part of the Ibaraki prefecture city of Tsukuba.

Japan Times

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Dec 13, 2022

Suntory restores healthy forests to recharge clean natural water

“Today Birds, Tomorrow Humans.” This is the slogan created by Japanese beverage giant Suntory Holdings when it started bird conservation activities in 1973. It indicates that various environmental risks affecting wildlife will come to hurt people as well. The company initially established a bird sanctuary at the Suntory Hakushu Distillery in Yamanashi Prefecture and published its first newspaper ad advocating the importance of conserving nature, with an illustration of wild birds. That was followed by a series of more than 100 ads published across different newspapers. In an era of rapid economic growth, the industry-leading company’s running of ads that didn’t tout its products at all gained plenty of attention and received the Asahi Advertising Award.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Nov 28, 2022

Oji’s Nepi Eco paper products advance goal to cut fossil fuels

The first item launched in the Nepi Eco series, a lineup of environmentally conscious products introduced by Oji Nepia Co. Ltd. in 2021, was toilet paper. Oji Nepia is a subsidiary of Oji Holdings, one of the world’s major pulp and paper producers, headquartered in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward. This year, kitchen paper towels, tissues and masks were added to the series. In a recent interview with The Japan Times, Tomoko Takase from the Product Planning Division of Oji Nepia talked about the new ideas and efforts that have been put into these products and underlie Oji’s commitment toward a better global environment.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Nov 24, 2022

Tender wagyu, other delicacies hail from clean lands of Tottori

Among many delicacies in Japan, Tottori Wagyu beef and its history is worth learning to make one’s gastronomic life rich. Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai and Shinsuke Nakajima, Executive Managing Director and Executive Chef of New Otani Co., Ltd. talked about the charms of the wagyu as well as other produce and the blessed environment of the prefecture in a recent interview with the Japan Times. The interview took place at Seisen-tei, a Teppanyaki restaurant located in the Japanese Garden of The New Otani Tokyo hotel where Tottori Wagyu Fair is being held until Dec. 16.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Nov 7, 2022

Premium Tottori Wagyu beef links up with contest Bocuse d’Or

Among all the wagyu brands in Japan, Tottori Wagyu Olein 55 is especially flavorful and light because of its high oleic acid content. Oleic acid, the main component of olive oil, is said to enhance the meat’s tenderness and smoothness on the palate. To promote Tottori Wagyu brands, including Tottori Wagyu Olein 55, the prefecture held a gala event on Oct. 25 at Argento, a contemporary French restaurant in Tokyo’s Ginza area, in collaboration with the renowned international culinary competition Bocuse d’Or, Argento and Hiramatsu, the hospitality company that runs Argento.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Oct 24, 2022

NTT’s Sugatami platform will give cities the tools to grow healthy

In recent years, concepts such as smart cities and sustainable urban development have attracted attention in discussions on community development. But there is little point in trying to define them in a way that works for any city, because every region is unique. Efforts should be directed at finding out what technologies and sustainable efforts work best for each particular community.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Aug 29, 2022

Suntory preserves ‘lifeline’ of groundwater and forests

Giving back to society is what Suntory Holdings, a global leader in the beverage industry, has been committed to in many ways since its founding in 1899. One of them is its environmental efforts. Long before sustainability became a general concern of the overall international community, Suntory engaged in various activities to preserve nature in line with its corporate mission statement, “To create harmony with people and nature.”

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.

The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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