Suntory Holdings Launches Wetland Restoration Project in Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture

Suntory Holdings Ltd. has signed an agreement with a local community group in the Shimochin area of Mashiki Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture, on the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and the enhancement of water source recharge functions. This initiative targets approximately 3,000 square meters adjacent to the 'Suntory Natural Water Forest Aso,' where river water will be diverted into abandoned paddy fields to create a wetland environment.

The project aims to conserve and restore biodiversity while enhancing groundwater infiltration and water source recharge. The local group will manage routine tasks such as mowing and water level control, while Suntory will install water retention facilities and carry out field improvements. Under the scientific guidance of experts, the wetland environment will be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities. The initiative aims to create a habitat suitable for amphibians such as frogs and aquatic insects.

The Suntory Group, guided by its corporate message 'Live in Harmony with Water – SUNTORY,' has been conducting the 'Suntory Natural Water Forest' project in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture since 2003, focusing on forest management to enhance water source recharge and conserve and restore biodiversity. Since 2010, the Group has also promoted groundwater recharge and ecosystem restoration in Mashiki Town through collaborative 'Winter Flooded Rice Fields' initiatives with local authorities and farmers. This new wetland restoration project complements these existing efforts. By integrating the conservation and restoration of forests, farmland, and wetlands, the Group aims to achieve Nature Positive outcomes across entire watersheds.

※1 The 'Suntory Natural Water Forest' project is currently active in 27 locations across 16 prefectures, covering over 12,000 hectares of forest.

(Refer to https://www.suntory.co.jp/eco/forest/)

※2 'Winter Flooded Rice Fields' is an agricultural practice involving flooding fallow fields, which is expected to enhance groundwater recharge, enrich soil fertility, restore ecosystems, and reduce weeds.

(Refer to https://www.suntory.co.jp/eco/forest/protect/ricefields.html)

Additionally, starting in 2025, the Suntory Group will promote the 'Kumamoto Water Positive Action' in Kumamoto Prefecture through collaboration among industry, government, and academia, focusing on urban groundwater recharge using green infrastructure such as rain gardens (Refer to Press Release No. 15053).

※3 Green infrastructure refers to approaches and initiatives that leverage the diverse functions of natural environments to address social challenges such as rainwater infiltration, runoff control, biodiversity conservation, landscape improvement, and climate change adaptation. Rain gardens are one such measure, designed as planted areas that temporarily collect rainwater from roofs and paved surfaces, allowing it to slowly infiltrate into the ground instead of flowing directly into sewers.

Moving forward, the Group will further strengthen collaboration with industry, government, and academia, contributing to the realization of Nature Positive outcomes in the Kumamoto region through sustainable, community-partnered management.

▼ Suntory Group Sustainability

https://www.suntory.co.jp/sustainability/

▼ Suntory Group Biodiversity Initiatives

https://www.suntory.co.jp/sustainability/env_biodiversity/

▼ Suntory Natural Water Forest Website

https://www.suntory.co.jp/eco/forest/

▼ Suntory Group's Winter Flooded Rice Fields Project

https://www.suntory.co.jp/eco/forest/protect/ricefields.html

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