Green Co-op and 'Abukuma Ushinose Urushi Project' Partner to Revitalize Satoyama in Fukushima's Abukuma Region Through Lacquer Tree Planting

Green Co-op Community (headquartered in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City; Representative Director: Yoko Hidaka), a general incorporated association comprising 16 consumer cooperatives primarily in western Japan, has partnered with the 'Abukuma Ushinose Urushi Project,' an initiative working to revitalize satoyama landscapes in Fukushima Prefecture's Abukuma region, to pursue sustainable community development through the planting of lacquer trees. ■ Background and Purpose The satoyama landscapes of Fukushima Prefecture's Abukuma region were historically maintained through a cyclical way of life intertwined with agriculture and forestry. In recent years, depopulation, an aging population, and the decline of the forestry industry have led to an increase in poorly managed forests, making deterioration a pressing issue. Furthermore, the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear power plant accident have severely impacted the livelihoods and community foundations of the region. Against this backdrop, there is an urgent need to revitalize satoyama landscapes sustainably by leveraging local resources and to create new livelihoods. This initiative aims to plant lacquer trees in the satoyama of Abukuma, with the long-term goal of creating livelihoods through lacquer harvesting and refining, while pursuing sustainable community development that draws on local resources. Furthermore, as lacquer trees absorb CO₂ during their growth, this initiative will also contribute to reducing environmental impact. After planting, efforts will be made to track and visualize CO₂ absorption as the trees grow. ■ About the 'Abukuma Ushinose Urushi Project' This initiative focuses on lacquer — a material that supports traditional Japanese culture — and aims to revitalize satoyama landscapes through the planting and utilization of lacquer trees. Lacquer trees are a species well-suited to satoyama environments and are expected to grow in value as a domestically sourced resource, offering the potential to simultaneously achieve forest restoration and regional industry creation. The project aims to create sustainable livelihoods rooted in the local community alongside satoyama revitalization, building a circular regional ecosystem to be passed on to future generations. Abukuma Ushinose Urushi Project: https://www.ushinose.com/p/01.html ■ Donation of a Ride-On Mower Revitalizing satoyama landscapes requires not only planting but also continuous maintenance such as regular mowing. However, maintaining planting sites scattered over a wide area demands significant labor, and reducing this workload has been a challenge. In light of these challenges, Green Co-op decided to donate a ride-on mower to improve and streamline work conditions. This will greatly increase mowing efficiency, making it possible to manage areas that previously could not receive adequate care.