Pacific Consultants Provides Technical Support for 'Symbiotic Land Ashio,' Certified as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site' by the Ministry of the Environment
Pacific Consultants technical support led to the certification of Furukawa Co., Ltd.'s 'Symbiotic Land Ashio' as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site' under the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act. The company provided end-to-end consulting, showcasing its expertise in Nature Positive implementation.
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Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Osamu Omoto) provided technical support for Furukawa Co., Ltd.’s managed site 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Matsuki/Ohirayama Area)' (hereinafter 'the Site'), which has been certified as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site' based on the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act.
In relation to this certification, as part of its Nature Positive consulting services, the company conducted the necessary surveys for the Nature Symbiosis Site application, assisted in preparing application documents, and supported the review committee process, providing a full range of support through to certification.
Pacific Consultants has a proven track record in providing policy support for national green infrastructure and biodiversity, as well as implementing environmental conservation measures through environmental impact assessments. Moving forward, as experts in the fields of biodiversity and natural capital, the company will continue to provide solutions for the effective utilization of unused natural capital assets owned by corporations, the resolution of regional issues, and the simultaneous implementation of carbon neutrality and Nature Positive goals.
■ About 'Nature Symbiosis Sites' based on the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act
Since fiscal 2023, the Ministry of the Environment has been certifying areas where biodiversity is being conserved through private initiatives as 'Nature Symbiosis Sites.' Subsequently, in April 2025, the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act was enacted and formalized into law. As a result, when plans for biodiversity maintenance, recovery, or creation initiatives led by companies, NPOs, local governments, or regional groups are certified by the national government, the relevant implementation areas are positioned as 'Nature Symbiosis Sites.'
'Nature Symbiosis Sites' are a vital mechanism for achieving 'Nature Positive' (stopping and reversing biodiversity loss) and the '30by30 goal' (the target of effectively conserving 30% or more of land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030).
■ Overview of 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Matsuki/Ohirayama Area)'
This Site is part of a company-owned forest of Furukawa Co., Ltd., located in Ashio-machi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. For this certification, two plans—the 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Matsuki Area) Natural Environment Conservation Activity Plan' and the 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Ohirayama Area) Natural Environment Conservation Activity Plan'—were certified, and the implementation area for each plan was recognized as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site.'
About 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Matsuki Area)':
This area once saw the death of surrounding mountain forests due to smoke damage. Furukawa Co., Ltd. has worked on establishing sulfur dioxide countermeasure technologies and planting in cooperation with the national and prefectural governments. While some locations needing recovery efforts still remain in the vicinity, an ecosystem consisting of diverse environments has recovered within this Site. It has been confirmed as a habitat for 153 plant species, 4 mammal species, 25 bird species, 1 amphibian species, and 152 insect species, playing an important role as a diverse species habitat. This time, its efforts aimed at providing soil erosion prevention services and habitat services were recognized, leading to its certification as a 'Maintenance Type' site—those focused on maintaining areas already rich in biodiversity.
About 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Ohirayama Area)':
This area has no history of forestry use and lacks maintained mountain trails, thus preserving a primary ecosystem. Additionally, it borders Nikko National Park and functions as a buffer zone. It has been confirmed as a habitat for 35 plant species, 6 mammal species, 15 bird species, and 40 insect species, playing a significant role as a species habitat. Similar to the Matsuki Area, its initiatives focused on responding to changes in ecosystem foundations, such as rare plant species and plant communities, were recognized, leading to its certification as a 'Maintenance Type.'
■ About Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd.
Since its founding in 1951, Pacific Consultants has been a leading construction consultancy for over 70 years. It is a social infrastructure service provider deeply involved in the planning, design, and operation of urban development and infrastructure, including buildings, railways, roads, airports, ports, rivers, and water/sewer systems in Japan and overseas. Under its vision to 'Produce the Future,' the company provides new value to society to realize a sustainable world where everyone can live with peace of mind.
In relation to this certification, as part of its Nature Positive consulting services, the company conducted the necessary surveys for the Nature Symbiosis Site application, assisted in preparing application documents, and supported the review committee process, providing a full range of support through to certification.
Pacific Consultants has a proven track record in providing policy support for national green infrastructure and biodiversity, as well as implementing environmental conservation measures through environmental impact assessments. Moving forward, as experts in the fields of biodiversity and natural capital, the company will continue to provide solutions for the effective utilization of unused natural capital assets owned by corporations, the resolution of regional issues, and the simultaneous implementation of carbon neutrality and Nature Positive goals.
■ About 'Nature Symbiosis Sites' based on the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act
Since fiscal 2023, the Ministry of the Environment has been certifying areas where biodiversity is being conserved through private initiatives as 'Nature Symbiosis Sites.' Subsequently, in April 2025, the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act was enacted and formalized into law. As a result, when plans for biodiversity maintenance, recovery, or creation initiatives led by companies, NPOs, local governments, or regional groups are certified by the national government, the relevant implementation areas are positioned as 'Nature Symbiosis Sites.'
'Nature Symbiosis Sites' are a vital mechanism for achieving 'Nature Positive' (stopping and reversing biodiversity loss) and the '30by30 goal' (the target of effectively conserving 30% or more of land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030).
■ Overview of 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Matsuki/Ohirayama Area)'
This Site is part of a company-owned forest of Furukawa Co., Ltd., located in Ashio-machi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. For this certification, two plans—the 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Matsuki Area) Natural Environment Conservation Activity Plan' and the 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Ohirayama Area) Natural Environment Conservation Activity Plan'—were certified, and the implementation area for each plan was recognized as a 'Nature Symbiosis Site.'
About 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Matsuki Area)':
This area once saw the death of surrounding mountain forests due to smoke damage. Furukawa Co., Ltd. has worked on establishing sulfur dioxide countermeasure technologies and planting in cooperation with the national and prefectural governments. While some locations needing recovery efforts still remain in the vicinity, an ecosystem consisting of diverse environments has recovered within this Site. It has been confirmed as a habitat for 153 plant species, 4 mammal species, 25 bird species, 1 amphibian species, and 152 insect species, playing an important role as a diverse species habitat. This time, its efforts aimed at providing soil erosion prevention services and habitat services were recognized, leading to its certification as a 'Maintenance Type' site—those focused on maintaining areas already rich in biodiversity.
About 'Symbiotic Land Ashio (Ohirayama Area)':
This area has no history of forestry use and lacks maintained mountain trails, thus preserving a primary ecosystem. Additionally, it borders Nikko National Park and functions as a buffer zone. It has been confirmed as a habitat for 35 plant species, 6 mammal species, 15 bird species, and 40 insect species, playing a significant role as a species habitat. Similar to the Matsuki Area, its initiatives focused on responding to changes in ecosystem foundations, such as rare plant species and plant communities, were recognized, leading to its certification as a 'Maintenance Type.'
■ About Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd.
Since its founding in 1951, Pacific Consultants has been a leading construction consultancy for over 70 years. It is a social infrastructure service provider deeply involved in the planning, design, and operation of urban development and infrastructure, including buildings, railways, roads, airports, ports, rivers, and water/sewer systems in Japan and overseas. Under its vision to 'Produce the Future,' the company provides new value to society to realize a sustainable world where everyone can live with peace of mind.