Maiko Muraoka - The Japan Times

October 31, 2025

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Maiko Muraoka

The previous award ceremony

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Aug 25, 2025

Yamagata film festival to gather documentaries from around world

This year’s YIDFF International Competition received 1,318 entries from 129 countries. Fifteen of them will be screened during the festival, competing for five awards.

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (right) with Executive Chef Shinsuke Nakajima and Executive Chef Sommelier Nobuhide Tani

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Jun 23, 2025

Tottori Wagyu and other delights offered at Hotel New Otani Tokyo

A special event featuring the rich sweetness and umami of juicy Tottori Wagyu-brand beef in a variety of dishes has kicked off once again at the Hotel New Otani Tokyo. Held annually since 2018, this promotion consistently highlights the charm of Tottori’s viands through innovative ideas and cooking...

A worker cuts Inada granite, which is used in various buildings in Tokyo.

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Apr 1, 2025

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

In 2024, the Tsukuba massif granite of the Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark was certified by the International Union of Geological Sciences as one of the first 55 IUGS Heritage Stones, which have been “used in significant architecture and monuments” and “recognized as integral aspects of human culture.”...

Seino is working with Japan Post as part of an OPP initiative.

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Mar 17, 2025

Seino drives collaborative, sustainable transportation

The logistics company Seino Holdings Co. Ltd. has been promoting an open public platform (OPP) with the aim of improving the industry’s efficiency and reducing its environmental impact through collaboration among companies and the utilization of joint transportation and digital technology.

Hiromi Yamamoto

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Nov 25, 2024

Oji seeks optimal approaches to nurturing and utilizing forests

Oji Holdings, Japan’s leading paper maker, owns and manages 635,000 hectares of forests across the globe. Forest resources — for wood, paper and wood-derived materials or for biomass power generation — are attracting increased attention as sustainable resources. However, their sustainability hinges...

A nature experience program at the Global Mizuiku Summit in Vietnam.

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Aug 12, 2024

Suntory nurtures water, forests and future generations

Just like Suntory Holdings says in its corporate philosophy, “To inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature,” the company contributes to the enrichment of people’s lives beyond merely selling food and beverages globally. Although responsive to...

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

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Jun 5, 2024

Tottori wagyu and wine paired at New Otani Tokyo fair

The Tottori Wagyu Fair is taking place at six restaurants in the Hotel New Otani Tokyo until July 15. The event has been hosted by the hotel every year since 2018, and this year is offering a new way of enjoying the premium wagyu together with wine from Tottori Prefecture.

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

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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

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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...

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.

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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...

Makoto Miyauchi, CEO of B-Lot

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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...

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...

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

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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 —...

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

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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

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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...

Japan Times

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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...

Japan Times

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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

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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...

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.

Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

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