This audio is generated by AI, so pronunciation and expressions may not be fully accurate. The narration is only in English.
"As a real estate developer engaged in urban development, we consume a lot of wood. When we recognized that we, as a business, need to fulfill our social responsibilities in order to continue and grow as a company, we focused on forests.
At that time, the Nomura Real Estate Group was trying to achieve the "coexistence of nature and the urban" by exploring a sustainable approach where both the urban and local areas could benefit. This meant reciprocation—such as conservation of environmental resources and creation and revitalization of local jobs—to local communities, rather than allowing solely urban areas to reap the benefits.
One of the challenges that Japan's forests face is that the decline of the forestry industry caused mature plantations reaching their harvest age to be neglected, preventing the proper management and utilization of forest resources. In 2022, the Nomura Real Estate Group acquired usage rights to approximately 130 hectares of forests owned by Okutama Town for 30 years. The Group named the forests "Tsunagu Mori" (Connecting Forest) and began the forest management project.
The project is centered on three pillars: creating forest cycles, promoting biodiversity, and cultivating the next generation.
"We developed a plan to use trees grown in Okutama's forests in our business activities in the urban areas, and we've been putting that into practice. One example is the use of wood from Tsunagu Mori in the common and private areas of BLUE FRONT SHIBAURA TOWER S, a large-scale complex that opened in September 2025. We are promoting coexistence between Tokyo's forests and urban areas through landscape approaches."
Rather than individually addressing each issue facing forests and cities, connecting them can provide more dynamic solutions. The Group has built a unique wood supply chain that links the upstream side, where wood is produced, to the downstream side, where wood is utilized. The project is boosting Okutama's forestry industry and creating a new economic cycle.
Simultaneously, they manage their forests with consideration for biodiversity. This is their second pillar.
"Some people think that forestry development will harm biodiversity, but we are trying to maintain a balance without restricting human activity. To achieve this, we started small-scale clear-cutting in a mosaic pattern. By cutting trees on a smaller scale and annually dividing the area into mosaics patterns, we are reducing the impact on the ecosystem and creating a grassland environment."
Tsunagu Mori in Okutama, Tokyo. Photo 1-10 are courtesy of Nomura Real Estate Group
Hiking trail in Recreation Zone in Tsunagu Mori.
Wasabi paddy in Stream Conservation Zone in Tsunagu Mori.
Felled ground in Logging-Biodiversity Symbiosis Zone in Tsunagu Mori.
Storage area for logs from Tsunagu Mori. The logs are sorted into Class-A, B, C, and D.
Class-C and D wood harvested from Tsunagu Mori.
The Mori wo Tsunagu TOKYO project includes initiatives to solve social issues by promoting behavior change through sustainable tourism.
Nuts of native tree species at Tsunagu Mori.
Mountain hawk-eagle living in and around Tsunagu Mori.
A Japanese sika deer was photographed during an ecosystem survey at Tsunagu Mori.
Ballpoint pen with grip made from wood scraps from Tsunagu Mori.
Since large-scale cutting is more efficient, one can expect objections from foresters to this different method. "Some of the foresters were initially unsure of the new method, but we earned their understanding after explaining that the approach is needed to coexist with wildlife. In a project like this, it is important to move forward through dialogue and coordination."
The project also added new values in the use of wood. "Most wood used for construction is high-quality Class A wood, followed by Class B. Generally, knotty or curved wood of the other lower grades is avoided because its use is limited. Our forest management efforts have reminded us of these issues, and we have begun to think about how we can use every piece of harvested wood. We are promoting the effective use of wood by developing furniture made from unutilized wood or distributing novelties such as diffusers made from essential oils extracted from branches and leaves as well as ballpoint pens made from scrap wood. In the future, we would like to work with building material manufacturers and construction companies to further resolve these issues."
The Group is also working with Okutama Town. "In addition to collaborating with the local communities by hiring local companies to manufacture primary lumber from felled trees, we are also implementing sustainable tourism for our employees in Tsunagu Mori to get more people involved. We also provide opportunities to get to know people with disabilities at a welfare facility in Okutama. In the future, we would like to offer these kinds of programs outside the company and deepen our collaboration."
Having employees living in cities experience nature and start to see social issues as their own has a great impact not only on themselves but also on the company.
"Through sustainable tourism like visiting forests and learning about the local wildlife, we provide opportunities for participants to think about what is 'nature positive.' Experiencing the bounties of forests with their five senses will drive them to promote the use of wood when they return to work on urban development."
This leads to cultivating the next generation, the third pillar of the project. Sustainability is achieved not only by protecting the natural environment but also by linking human activities to it and connecting it to business.
The project won the grand prize at the inaugural Tokyo-NbS Action Award by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), which aims to establish and expand Nature-based Solutions (NbS) initiatives that solve various social issues with sustainable solutions from nature.
"We believe we can become even stronger as a company by applying the experience we gained through this project to our business. We hope that this award will make the project known to many more people, and that local municipalities and companies inspired by it will start similar or brand-new initiatives."
As a collaboration partner with Tokyo Green Biz, Nomura Real Estate Holdings is working together with the TMG to promote initiatives to protect, cultivate, and utilize Tokyo's greenery. The project is a model case for the coexistence of forests and cities.
Operating on the concept that envisions green urban development for the next 100 years, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is pushing initiatives to protect, cultivate, and utilize Tokyo's greenery.By working with companies and a variety of other entities, its efforts aim to transform Tokyo into a sustainable city that exists in harmony with nature.TOKYO GREEN BIZ - Green Urban Development -TMG
