SAVE JAPAN Project Marks 5th Region Certified as 'Nature Symbiosis Site' by the Ministry of the Environment
The Japan NPO Center, in collaboration with Sompo Japan, announced that the '1000-year Yume Farm' in Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture, has been certified as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site.' This marks the 5th certification facilitated by the project, highlighting a successful model that integrates agriculture, social welfare, and environmental conservation.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 21:32
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The Certified Non-Profit Organization Japan NPO Center (Representative Director: Makoto Oshima) has been conducting the 'SAVE JAPAN Project,' a citizen-participation environmental conservation event across Japan since 2011, with sponsorship from Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (President: Koji Ishikawa).
The efforts supported by the 'SAVE JAPAN Project' have recently been certified as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site' (FY2025, 3rd Round) by the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Following sites in Maniwa City (Okayama), Nakatsu City (Oita), and Odawara City (Kanagawa), the '1000-year Yume Farm' in Kunisaki City, Oita, has become the 5th region certified through this project.
■ Certified Area and Background
Project Name: Sankaku Base '1000-year Yume Farm' Promotion Activity (Kunisaki City, Oita)
Site Name: Sankaku Base '1000-year Yume Farm'
Activity Type: Maintenance
Environmental Groups: Kyoseiso Disability Support Center 'Sankaku Base' / Oita Environment Counselor Association
Initiative Details:
The certified field is a farm managed by the Sankaku Base Disability Support Center, located in the Araki River basin in Kunisaki City. As part of production activities aimed at the physical and mental recovery of users with disabilities, they have practiced (1) organic cultivation of fruit trees, (2) natural cultivation of open-field vegetables, and (3) circulatory management of bamboo groves for many years. To secure space for these activities, they have also engaged in 'trust activities' by purchasing or leasing abandoned farmland in the upper reaches of the Araki River. This is an integrated 'Agri-Welfare-Env' linkage activity where agriculture, welfare, and the environment merge within the river basin unit. Farming methods that respect the ecosystem (not treating grass or insects as enemies) and initiatives linked to user rehabilitation were highly evaluated. They also conduct bird-watching tours to observe rare birds in the protected basin, aiming for sustainable community development for a thousand years.
Future Developments:
Following this certification, the project will promote the use of the registered site with support from the SAVE JAPAN Project. Specific plans include (1) organic fruit and vegetable cultivation through Agri-Welfare-Env linkage, (2) creation of eco-tour maps and environmental learning activities, (3) biotope creation in fallow fields, (4) environmental economic activities such as developing processed products and lunch boxes, and (5) organizing environmental literature for public access. The project aims to continue citizen-led conservation while utilizing the benefits of biodiversity.
This certification was achieved through participation in the SAVE JAPAN Project in FY2025 with support from the Oita NPO Design Center.
■ Overview of 'SAVE JAPAN Project'
The 'SAVE JAPAN Project' is a collaboration between local NPO support centers, environmental groups, Sompo Japan, and the Japan NPO Center. It provides opportunities for local residents to participate in biodiversity conservation programs tailored to their region's situation.
Since FY2023, the project has added support for the 'Nature Symbiosis Site' application process and post-certification conservation activities. Due to legal changes, the collaboration of diverse stakeholders such as residents and government has become even more crucial for biodiversity. The Japan NPO Center, as a partner in building civil society, will continue to promote nature-positive initiatives through citizen participation in cooperation with Sompo Japan and other partners.
The efforts supported by the 'SAVE JAPAN Project' have recently been certified as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site' (FY2025, 3rd Round) by the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Following sites in Maniwa City (Okayama), Nakatsu City (Oita), and Odawara City (Kanagawa), the '1000-year Yume Farm' in Kunisaki City, Oita, has become the 5th region certified through this project.
■ Certified Area and Background
Project Name: Sankaku Base '1000-year Yume Farm' Promotion Activity (Kunisaki City, Oita)
Site Name: Sankaku Base '1000-year Yume Farm'
Activity Type: Maintenance
Environmental Groups: Kyoseiso Disability Support Center 'Sankaku Base' / Oita Environment Counselor Association
Initiative Details:
The certified field is a farm managed by the Sankaku Base Disability Support Center, located in the Araki River basin in Kunisaki City. As part of production activities aimed at the physical and mental recovery of users with disabilities, they have practiced (1) organic cultivation of fruit trees, (2) natural cultivation of open-field vegetables, and (3) circulatory management of bamboo groves for many years. To secure space for these activities, they have also engaged in 'trust activities' by purchasing or leasing abandoned farmland in the upper reaches of the Araki River. This is an integrated 'Agri-Welfare-Env' linkage activity where agriculture, welfare, and the environment merge within the river basin unit. Farming methods that respect the ecosystem (not treating grass or insects as enemies) and initiatives linked to user rehabilitation were highly evaluated. They also conduct bird-watching tours to observe rare birds in the protected basin, aiming for sustainable community development for a thousand years.
Future Developments:
Following this certification, the project will promote the use of the registered site with support from the SAVE JAPAN Project. Specific plans include (1) organic fruit and vegetable cultivation through Agri-Welfare-Env linkage, (2) creation of eco-tour maps and environmental learning activities, (3) biotope creation in fallow fields, (4) environmental economic activities such as developing processed products and lunch boxes, and (5) organizing environmental literature for public access. The project aims to continue citizen-led conservation while utilizing the benefits of biodiversity.
This certification was achieved through participation in the SAVE JAPAN Project in FY2025 with support from the Oita NPO Design Center.
■ Overview of 'SAVE JAPAN Project'
The 'SAVE JAPAN Project' is a collaboration between local NPO support centers, environmental groups, Sompo Japan, and the Japan NPO Center. It provides opportunities for local residents to participate in biodiversity conservation programs tailored to their region's situation.
Since FY2023, the project has added support for the 'Nature Symbiosis Site' application process and post-certification conservation activities. Due to legal changes, the collaboration of diverse stakeholders such as residents and government has become even more crucial for biodiversity. The Japan NPO Center, as a partner in building civil society, will continue to promote nature-positive initiatives through citizen participation in cooperation with Sompo Japan and other partners.