Three Class A rivers flow through Okayama Prefecture. One of them is the Takahashi River.
The river rises at Mt. Hanamiyama (elevation: 1,188 m; Niimi City). In Niimi City, forest maintenance is carried out to further enhance the forests’ functions of conserving water sources and preventing soil runoff, which support the Takahashi River’s rich water environment.
Forest conservation activities under “JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi,” a project undertaken jointly by Japan Tobacco Inc. (hereafter “JT”) and Niimi City, were also held in autumn 2024.
The Kurashiki Tocotoco editorial team (Haretoco General Incorporated Association) took part in these activities in 2022 and 2023.
We were given the opportunity to participate again this time, so here is a look at the “JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi: Autumn 2024 Forest Conservation Activities,” held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
The information presented was current when this article was published in January 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is “JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi”?
The JT Group, whose business activities center on tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods, uses natural raw materials in its business, primarily plant-based materials such as leaf tobacco, paper, and vegetables.
As part of its efforts to conserve the natural environment, the group carries out forest conservation activities under the name “JT Forest”; as of 2024, activities are underway at nine locations nationwide.
In Okayama Prefecture, there is “JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi,” which carries out forest conservation activities centered on Koigakubo Wetland.
Koigakubo Wetland
A region where more than 300 plant species, including Ogura-sennou, grow naturally. It was designated a Natural Monument of Japan on March 6, 1980, as the “Koigakubo Wetland Plant Community.”
“JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi” makes use of Okayama Prefecture’s “Forest Development Project in Collaboration with Businesses” and has carried out forest conservation activities jointly with Niimi City for approximately six years, since November 2016.
The project is divided into a first phase beginning in 2016 and a second phase beginning in 2022, when the target forest area was changed. The autumn 2024 forest conservation activities were held as the third activity of the second phase.
Autumn 2024 forest conservation activities
The main activity of the autumn 2024 forest conservation program was clearing undergrowth in the low-pollen sugi model forest. The day’s schedule was as follows:
- Opening ceremony (organizers’ greetings and commemorative photo)
- Forest conservation activities (clearing undergrowth in the low-pollen sugi model forest)
- Lunch
- [Activities] Making coasters and chopsticks
- [Forest Extracurricular Classroom] Lecture and tour of Tsuyama General Lumber Market
Activities 1 and 2 took place in the morning, and activities 4 and 5 in the afternoon.
Around 100 people, including employees of the JT Group and its business partners, as well as their families, took part. They were mainly from Okayama, Hiroshima, and Shimane prefectures. Participants were divided into five groups.
Opening ceremony
At the opening ceremony, the guests of honor gave greetings in the following order:
- Niimi Deputy Mayor Kenji Neishi
- JT Okayama Branch Manager Shuichi Oshio
- Yuji Mikami, Chair of the JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi Forest Development Executive Committee
- Yosuke Ishikura, Vice Chair of the JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi Forest Development Executive Committee
After introductions of the participating organizations and staff, the forest conservation activities finally got underway.
Forest conservation activities (clearing undergrowth in the low-pollen sugi model forest)
From the opening ceremony venue, we walked about five minutes to the work site.
Compared with the surrounding area, few trees grew at the work site, giving it the feel of a grassland. Put another way, it was a field overgrown with grass.
For reference, last year’s (2023) forest conservation activity involved planting low-pollen sugi, and the work site looked like this:
This time, the forest conservation activity was to clear the undergrowth by cutting down the thickly growing annual grasses with sickles and other tools.
What is low-pollen sugi?
It is a variety of sugi that produces almost no pollen.
Low-pollen sugi varieties are registered after trees with low pollen production are selected from among naturally growing sugi, studied, and found to meet the pollen-volume standards set by the national government.
Compared with the pollen produced by conventional varieties, sugi of this type produce 1% or less.
◆ Quoted from the leaflet distributed at the site (from the 2023 edition)
First, we were given instructions on how to clear the undergrowth.
- There are small and large sickles, so adults should use the large ones.
- Use the sickles to keep cutting the grass.
- Don’t cut down the sugi beneath the red markers!
That was the whole process. However, at a glance, it was hard to tell which trees were the “sugi beneath the red markers.”
Looking closely…
▼For reference, this is what it looked like when they were planted.
Why do we clear the undergrowth?
Cedar trees take several decades (40–50 years) to grow large enough to be used as timber. When the cedars are young, they compete with the surrounding grass for water and sunlight. Clearing the undergrowth helps them with this competition. This work is carried out for about five years.
◆From the on-site explanation
Using the red markers as a guide, we got started, taking care not to cut the cedar saplings.
▼As shown here, we place the sickle at the base of the grass and cut it down with repeated strokes. It may look easy, but all kinds of roots are tangled together underground, making it difficult to cut… It was quite hard work.
It was cloudy and somewhat cool on the day of the work, so I thought it might be comfortable to work. But before we knew it, everyone was sweating heavily and doing their best.
Lunch
After finishing, we moved to Koigakubo Roadside Station for lunch.
A bento made with plenty of ingredients from Niimi City, along with miso soup, was prepared. After the forest conservation activities, everyone was very hungry, and the participants enjoyed their meal with smiles.
[Activities] Making coasters and chopsticks
After lunch and a break, we tried our hand at making coasters and chopsticks in the same location. The materials were wood from Niimi. Everyone moved to the activity they wanted to try, and we got started!
[Forest Extracurricular Classroom] Lecture and Tour of Tsuyama General Lumber Market
After the activities ended, we traveled by bus for about 15 minutes to Tsuyama General Lumber Market Co., Ltd. for a tour of the site.
From the Writer
We took part in this conservation activity as a family of five, including preschool- and elementary school-aged children. Our family had never gone together into the heart of nature before, so it was a very valuable experience.
The activity was “clearing undergrowth in a low-pollen cedar model forest”—something that might seem like nothing more than mowing weeds at first glance. But when you think, “We’re creating a forest for the future,” it feels somehow moving.
However, perhaps only the adults feel that way. The children just say, “That was fun!” and “I want to go again!” and seem to think of it as just an event.
But I think it’s fine to feel that way for now. Someday, they’ll realize how important this experience was.
It was an activity I’d like to take part in again if the opportunity comes around.
“JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi” Fall 2024 Forest Conservation Activity Information
| Name | “JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi” Fall 2024 Forest Conservation Activity |
|---|---|
| Date | September 21, 2024 |
| Location | Yada, Tessei-cho, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation fee (tax included) | *Whether the activity will be open to the general public and the format of the next event have not yet been decided. |
| Website | JT Forest |
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