13.8ha Forest Connects the Region's Future: Three Parties Sign Agreement for Forest Conservation and Regional Revitalization

Aisyo Town (Mayor: Kuniyuki Arimura), Seibu Real Estate Co., Ltd. (Location: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; President: Asahide Saito), and Omi Railway Co., Ltd. (Location: Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture; President: Takaaki Fujii) have signed an agreement for cooperation and collaboration on June 30, 2026, to conserve and sustainably utilize "Aisho-Seibu Forest" owned by Seibu Real Estate, and to implement initiatives and measures for environmental education, regional revitalization, and regional development.

Agreement Overview

1. Agreement Name: Agreement on Cooperation and Collaboration among Aisyo Town, Seibu Real Estate Co., Ltd., and Omi Railway Co., Ltd.

2. Parties to the Agreement: Aisyo Town, Seibu Real Estate Co., Ltd., Omi Railway Co., Ltd.

3. Date of Agreement: June 30, 2026 (Tue)

4. Matters of Cooperation and Collaboration:

(1) Sustainable utilization of Aisho-Seibu Forest

(2) Conservation of the natural environment and promotion of environmental education

(3) Initiatives leading to the revitalization of the Omi Railway line area, including Aisho-Seibu Forest, and regional development

(4) Other matters deemed necessary to achieve the objectives of the preceding cooperation items

From left: Asahide Saito, President of Seibu Real Estate; Kuniyuki Arimura, Mayor of Aisyo Town; Takaaki Fujii, President of Omi Railway (June 30, 2026). Aisho-Seibu Forest (photographed May 2024).

Background of the Agreement

"Aisho-Seibu Forest," spanning 13.8ha, was acquired by the Seibu Group in 1968 as land for a golf course but remained undeveloped for a long time. Seibu Real Estate is now undertaking forest management over a five-year plan starting in fiscal year 2024, with subsidies from Shiga Prefecture, to regenerate the forest into one that benefits the local community by utilizing its satoyama characteristics while increasing CO2 absorption. This is being done in cooperation with Bandō Forestry in Aisyo Town.

After the management is complete, they are considering utilizing the forest roads, originally built for transporting felled timber and saplings, as walking trails for the general public. In some areas, they are also planning to use it as a nature learning field for experiences such as tree planting, thinning, and wildlife observation. In fact, in March 2026, a tree-planting experience event was held for the 4th-grade students of Aisyo Town's Hata-sho Higashi Elementary School as an outdoor learning excursion.

Furthermore, in the future, there are plans to use the area as a training ground for companies to learn about the importance of nature positivity. To realize these utilization plans, it is necessary to solve various challenges, leading to the recent signing of this cooperation agreement among the three parties.

*Nature Positivity: Halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity to put nature on a recovery trajectory.

Comments from Representatives on the Agreement Signing

・ Kuniyuki Arimura, Mayor of Aisyo Town

It is with immense joy that we have been able to sign this cooperation agreement with three parties who share our vision, as we have long wished to utilize the natural mountains spreading across Aisyo Town as a place where everyone can feel close to nature and gather freely. I sincerely hope that "Aisho-Seibu Forest" will become a beloved and vibrant hub where the development capabilities of Seibu Real Estate, which creates the future, the trust of Omi Railway Co., Ltd., with its 130-year history in the region, and the strong passion of Aisyo Town for the local community converge. Taking the signing of this agreement as the first step, we will move forward in collaboration with everyone to create an environment and community where children, adults, and all those who have connected with us can smile.

・ Asahide Saito, President of Seibu Real Estate Co., Ltd.

I sincerely thank you for signing this cooperation agreement among the three parties today. Starting in fiscal year 2024, we have been proceeding with the management of "Aisho-Seibu Forest" to become a proper forest, in cooperation with local forestry operators, over a five-year plan. After forest management, we are considering utilizing the forest roads as walking trails, as well as using the area as a "nature experience learning field" for local children and companies. With this agreement as an opportunity, we will strive further to pass on rich nature to the next generation and contribute to the revitalization of Aisyo Town and the Omi Railway line area.

・ Takaaki Fujii, President of Omi Railway Co., Ltd.

I sincerely express my gratitude for signing this cooperation agreement today with Aisyo Town and Seibu Real Estate Co., Ltd. The Omi Railway Group, through its railway, bus, and taxi businesses, stays close to the local communities, and Aisyo Town has been a region with which we have had a deep connection for many years. At "Aisho-Seibu Forest," forest management is progressing, and it has already begun to serve as a place for the next generation to learn from nature, such as through tree-planting experiences by local children. I feel this holds great significance for the future of the region. Through this collaboration, we will contribute to regional revitalization and the creation of a sustainable town that considers the environment, together with the residents of the surrounding areas.

Utilization Plan After Forest Management

1 Consideration for utilizing forest roads as walking trails

After forest management, we will consider utilizing the forest roads, originally for transporting felled timber and saplings, as walking trails for the general public. We aim to contribute to fostering local attachment by allowing residents to experience the charm of the reborn "Aisho-Seibu Forest."

2 Utilization of some areas as a nature learning site

We will provide some areas as a nature learning site for local elementary school classes to experience tree planting and thinning. Furthermore, we aim to be selected as a facility for "Yama-no-ko," a forest environment learning program for 4th-grade students in Shiga Prefecture.

3 Implementation of Nature Positive Training Programs for Corporations

In recent years, companies have been increasingly required to transition to "Nature Positive Management*" alongside decarbonization and the establishment of a circular economy, and the need to learn about nature positivity is expected to grow further. Therefore, Seibu Real Estate, in collaboration with Biome Inc. (Location: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), has developed a nature positive training program for corporations. This program is planned to be implemented at "Kurikoma Kogen-Seibu Forest" in Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture. As this program can be utilized in other areas, we aim to eventually accept training from corporations and other organizations at "Aisho-Seibu Forest."

*Nature Positive Management: Management in which companies place the concept of nature conservation as a critical issue within their value creation processes.

Image of Collaboration

・ Collaboration between Seibu Real Estate and Aisyo Town

We are considering utilizing the forest roads as walking trails. To this end, it is necessary to address challenges such as the development of public facilities like restrooms and parking, and maintenance such as preventing illegal dumping and repairing trails. Seibu Real Estate will cooperate with Aisyo Town to address these issues. Furthermore, regarding the utilization of the area as a nature learning site, we plan to cooperate with the town's board of education to conduct events such as tree planting and thinning experiences.

・ Collaboration between Seibu Real Estate and Omi Railway

To secure transportation, a crucial challenge for implementing nature learning and nature positive training, Seibu Real Estate will cooperate with Omi Railway to ensure safe and smooth execution.

"Aisho-Seibu Forest" during forest management (photographed 2024). 4th-grade students from Hata-sho Higashi Elementary School experience tree planting at Aisho-Seibu Forest (photographed March 2026).

"Aisho-Seibu Forest" Overview

Location: Jionji, Aisyo Town, Kanzaki District, Shiga Prefecture

Area: 13.8ha

Access: 20 km, approximately 30 minutes by car from Maibara Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen

Features: A satoyama adjacent to the Jionji district of Aisyo Town. The northern side borders Kora Town, and the entire area is composed of secondary forests of miscellaneous trees.

Website: https://seibunomori.jp/morikatsu/aisho.html