Maiko Muraoka - The Japan Times

December 12, 2023

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Maiko Muraoka

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

Group photo after an NTT smart city was certified Level 4

ESG CONSORTIUM

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

ESG CONSORTIUM

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

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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 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

ESG CONSORTIUM

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

ESG CONSORTIUM

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

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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.”

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Aug 15, 2022

OAT Agrio’s agrochemicals are from nature, for crops

OAT Agrio Co. Ltd. operates its business with the corporate philosophy of “We contribute to the people of the world with our agrotechnology and sincerity.” Listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the company was established in 2010 through a management buyout from Otsuka Chemical Co., a member of the Otsuka Holding Co. group. “At that time, projections announced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations showed that an increase in food production of about 70% is necessary to feed the world population of over 9 billion people by 2050,” said Hisashi Oka, president and CEO of OAT Agrio, in a recent online interview with The Japan Times.

Japan Times

SATOYAMA CONSORTIUM

Mar 28, 2022

Tsukuba ‘bar’ guides both visitors and revitalization efforts

On the outskirts of Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, there is a homey place called Tamaribar, a play on words combining “tamariba” (“hangout”) and “bar.” It serves local delicacies, the kind that people eat everyday without noticing their value, like fresh eggs with locally grown rice. It also sells souvenirs and fresh-picked vegetables, holds various events and rents the space for new activities such as cooking lessons. But the most valuable thing you can get at Tamaribar, if you are looking to learn about the area or considering moving there, is connections with local people.

Japan Times

ESG CONSORTIUM

Mar 10, 2022

Seino Holdings drives toward environmental sustainability

Seino Holdings Co. Ltd. is one of Japan’s top commercial logistics companies, with about 90 years of history. In recent years, the Gifu-based company has been accelerating its efforts to make its services sustainable and environmentally friendly without sacrificing people’s quality of life and convenience.

Japan Times

SATOYAMA CONSORTIUM

Mar 10, 2022

Fukuyama, City of Roses, to host world convention and expo

The World Federation of Rose Societies’ 20th World Rose Convention will be held in the Hiroshima Prefecture city of Fukuyama from May 18 to 24, 2025. The triennial convention on roses is the largest event of the World Federation of Rose Societies, which has a history of 50 years and about 40 member countries.

Japan Times

SATOYAMA CONSORTIUM

Mar 9, 2022

NTT collaboration learns how to plant a sustainable well-being city

NTT Urban Solutions recently acquired a new certification of international guidance on the operation of smart cities over its development project in the central Nagoya district of Higashisakura, conducted in collaboration with NTT Urban Development and other NTT companies.

The Climate Action Network holds an event at the venue of the U.N. climate change conferences in Dubai on Sunday to give its 'fossil' award to countries including Japan.

Feeling anxious? Wastewater, heat and Japan’s year in climate

Janos Cegledy sits in a park in Tokyo's Nerima Ward. The pianist says Japan suits him, “There is a certain civility and politeness here which you don’t find anywhere else.”

The extraordinary life of a Holocaust survivor living in Japan

By Eric Margolis

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 30: Living legends face demolition

Vol. 30: Living legends face demolition

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