Conservation of Biodiversity (initiatives)

The Daihatsu Group promotes biodiversity conservation measures with deep roots in local communities and seeks to achieve harmony with nature. We also collaborate with local governments and residents to address biodiversity issues in their communities and work toward achieving solutions. To expand the scope of these activities by instilling an environmental mindset, we also conduct educational activities on biodiversity for employees and local communities.

Conservation Activities in the “Hagukumi no Mori Ryuoh” Company-owned Forest

Daihatsu is developing forests by making use of the regional characteristics at its company-owned forests in the Shiga area. We began development in 2019 with the objectives of conserving biodiversity and providing environmental education and hands-on experiences, and adopted the name “Hagukumi no Mori Ryuoh” in 2020 through an in-company suggestion program. We perform green space management including tree thinning and planting in satoyama forests so that these areas can become habitats for more diverse wildlife. We also monitor indicator species (organisms that can be used to gain an understanding of environmental conditions in areas such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands) with the aim of achieving harmony with nature.

Hagukumi no Mori Ryuoh

Monitoring wildlife in a company-owned forest Monitoring wildlife in a company-owned forest

Ina River Cleanup Project

Ina River Cleanup Project Participants commented that this program was an opportunity to think about the significance of the SDGs

Daihatsu participates in the “Ina River Cleanup Project,” in which residents, companies, and government agencies that live or conduct business in the Ina River basin, which straddles Hyogo and Osaka Prefectures, clean up various areas in the basin. This initiative seeks to make the Ina River a clean waterway where diverse wildlife can live through the collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors. Ninety Daihatsu and affiliated company employees and family members participated in the “19th Ina River Cleanup Project” conducted in February 2022 and worked alongside local residents to collect trash from the river banks, contributing to the development of a society in harmony with nature through grassroots activities.

Preservation of Rare Species

A wildlife survey conducted in the Nishinomiya area, where the Parts Center is located, confirmed the presence of the “black-spotted pond frog,” “peregrine falcon,” “ferocious water bug,” and “aquatic bladderwort,” which are endangered or near threatened species in Japan. Based on this information, we made a wildlife map

Daihatsu has been conducting wildlife surveys at its business sites and adjacent areas in Japan since 2015. We learned that these areas serve as habitats for a wide range of wildlife including numerous endangered and rare species that are on red lists complied by the Ministry of the Environment and local governments of the prefectures in which our business sites operate. To protect these important organisms and establish habitats for even more diverse wildlife, we are undertaking preservation measures suitable for our business sites based on advice from experts.

Environmental Programs at the Lake Biwa Museum

Twenty-eight persons from seven groups participated in the August 2022 educational program

With cooperation from the Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Museum, Daihatsu conducts environmental programs for employees and family members each year. The purposes of these programs are to raise environmental awareness and develop human resources to support the creation of a society in harmony with nature and to contribute to the environmental education of the children who will become the leaders of the future. Through its philanthropic activities, Daihatsu is cooperating with the conservation of Lake Biwa’s thriving ecosystems. The Lake Biwa Museum offered support for these initiatives, and we are implementing various programs in collaboration with the museum.

Daihatsu collaborates and cooperates with local governments and civic groups to undertake a wide range of activities at its main business sites including the Head (Ikeda) Plant and Kyoto (Oyamazaki) Plant to preserve and restore biodiversity.

Ebara River Cleanup Project (Head (Ikeda) Plant)

Cleanup work of the Ebara River, which flows through the plant grounds Cleanup work of the Ebara River, which flows through the plant grounds

The Head (Ikeda) Plant works in collaboration with Ikeda City to implement the “Ebara River Cleanup Project” for the Ebara River, which flows through the plant grounds*. Fresh-water sprats, loaches, Japanese mitten crabs, and other wildlife are known to inhabit the Ebara River, and there is a natural environment with abundant wildlife within the plant premises. This project intends to clean up trash that flows from upstream and protect the wildlife living in the river. Daihatsu will continue its efforts to protect regional ecosystems through these types of initiatives.

* River managed by the city

Planting Oak Trees in Oyamazaki-cho with the Groundwater Use Countermeasures Committee (Kyoto (Oyamazaki) Plant)

Planting sawtooth oak trees Planting sawtooth oak trees

Daihatsu is a member of the Groundwater Use Countermeasures Committee, which membership includes the Oyamazaki-cho local government and nearby companies and seeks to protect water sources of Mt. Tennozan, which is located in the area of the Kyoto (Oyamazaki) Plant. In March 2022, we participated with the mayor of Oyamazaki-cho and town hall personnel to plant sawtooth oak trees as part of a program conducted by the “Kubo River and Tennozan Forest Preservation Association,” a nonprofit organization, as an environmental conservation activity to restore water sources on Mt. Tennozan, which are deteriorating, to their original state.

Cultivating Cherry Tree Saplings (Tada Area)

Edo higan saplings are cultivated in-house Edo higan saplings are cultivated in-house

In the Tada area, Daihatsu germinates seeds and grows Edo higan wild cherry tree saplings. The seeds are from the Suimeidai Edo Higan community, a natural monument of the city. The Edo Higan community is an endangered species and has been designated as rank B in the Hyogo Prefecture Red Data Book. In FY2023, we sprouted about 200 saplings, of which 50 were donated to civic groups engaged in Edo higan preservation activities in the Kawanishi City region.

Planting Native Acorns (Nishinomiya Parts Center)

Planting oak saplings Planting oak saplings

At the Nishinomiya Parts Center, Daihatsu conducts acorn planting as part of its “15-Year Slope Greening Plan” with the aim of regenerating satochi and satoyama vegetation on Mt. Rokko. Every year since 2018, we have collected, sprouted, grown, and planted Chinese cork oak and jolcham oak acorns in lawns at the center site. Employees are currently implementing conservation activities in an effort to bring the cultivated acorns closer to the mixed forests of Mt. Rokko.

Daihatsu collaborates with a variety of parties including local governments, companies, and action groups to implement activities for achieving a society in harmony with nature. The contributions of these activities to conserving biodiversity and raising public awareness have been recognized and praised in various quarters.

“Biodiversity Biwako Network” Wins “2021 Japan Nature Conservation Grand Prize”

The “Biodiversity Biwako Network (BBN),” which comprises seven companies1 based in Shiga Prefecture including Daihatsu, received the “2021 Japan Nature Conservation Grand Prize”2 in the education category presented by The Nature Conservation Society of Japan.
The BBN received this prize for a project that it launched in 2016 called “100 Species Dragonflies Initiative—Save Dragonflies in Shiga!” This biodiversity conservation activity uses the 100 species of dragonflies confirmed to be present in the prefecture as indicator species. The three missions of the project are “Look for 100 species of dragonflies in Shiga!,” “Protect dragonflies in Shiga!,” and “Let everyone know!” The BBN conducts management and periodic monitoring of green spaces, wetlands, and ponds owned by member companies, determines the state of nature in surrounding areas, maintains biotopes, eliminates invasive species, holds nature observation tours, publicly announces their activities through exhibitions and presentations, and takes various other activities. Starting in 2020, the BBN actively disseminates information on dragonfly characteristics and habitats using social media with the aim of raising awareness of biodiversity conservation.
The prize was presented to the BBN in recognition of its collaborative activities, its adoption of dragonflies as its theme, which is readily understandable by the general public, in order to broaden the scope of its activities, and its success in enhancing regional biodiversity while taking action to raise public awareness. Daihatsu will continue to play a central role in the BBN and work to conserve biodiversity and achieve a sustainable society by implementing regional social contribution activities.

  • 1. Asahi Kasei Corporation, Asahi Kasei Homes Corporation, OMRON Corporation, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., Sekisui Jushi Corporation, Daifuku Co., Ltd., and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
  • 2. A prize created by The Nature Conservation Society of Japan in fiscal 2015 to recognize those individuals, groups, companies, and local governments that make significant contributions to nature and biodiversity conservation

Daihatsu employee family members also participated in the wildlife survey Daihatsu employee family members also participated in the wildlife survey

Digging in wetlands to preserve the habitats of Aeschnophlebia Anisoptera and other species of dragonflies Digging in wetlands to preserve the habitats of Aeschnophlebia Anisoptera and other species of dragonflies

History of Awards and Other Recognition

March 2019 Shiga Biodiversity Initiatives Certification in 2018 (certification renewed in 2021)
The Shiga (Ryuoh) Plant was awarded three stars, the highest rank, by Shiga Prefecture under the “FY2019 Shiga Biodiversity Initiatives Certification” system. The Shiga (Ryuoh) Plant was recognized by Shiga Prefecture as a company that engages in biodiversity initiatives. The plant’s activities include thinning, tree-planting, proper mowing, and other green space management in satoyama forests, as well as a range of ongoing biodiversity conservation activities.
November 2019 Jury Prize of the Biodiversity Action Award Japan 2019
Since 2018, the Shiga (Ryuoh) Plant has been participating in the “Biodiversity Biwako Network (BBN)” and taken part in activities that contribute to conserving biodiversity in Shiga Prefecture. The BBN comprises seven companies located in the prefecture and contributes to regional biodiversity conservation while expanding collaboration, such as through the “100 Species Dragonflies Initiative—Save Dragonflies in Shiga!,” a project that engages in the three missions regarding the 100 species of dragonflies found in the prefecture.
December 2019 Osaka Environment Award Grand Prize
Daihatsu was recognized for the clear direction and framework of its environmental initiatives, collaboration with a broad range of local parties, and conservation and educational programs rooted in local communities.
March 2021 2021 Japan Nature Conservation Grand Prize
The “Biodiversity Biwako Network (BBN),” established by seven companies based in Shiga Prefecture, conducts biodiversity conservation activities using 100 species of dragonflies as indicator species. As a result of these efforts, the BBN was awarded the “2021 Japan Nature Conservation Grand Prize” in the education category by The Nature Conservation Society of Japan.