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Yamaha Corporation (hereinafter "Yamaha") and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Yamaha Motor") jointly held their third annual Yamaha Forest tree-planting event in Chitaps*1, Sukabumi Province, Indonesia, on December 2, 2007. |
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The Yamaha Forest project was initiated in December 2005 in Indonesia, where both Yamaha and Yamaha Motor have production and sales bases. The goal of the program is to contribute to the local society, provide support for education and protect the environment in the region through tree-planting events. The two companies will plant a total of 150,000-200,000 seedlings (mahogany, teak, Sengon laut, etc.) over five years on about 120 hectares of land in Sukabumi Province in West Java, to restore at least some of the natural forest environment, much of which has been lost due to extensive logging activities in that area. |
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In promoting these activities, Yamaha and Yamaha Motor have received support from OISCA International*2, a Japanese NGO with an extensive record of achievement in environmental protection activities and assistance in agriculture and other forms of development in the Asia-Pacific Region. |
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The roughly 19,000 trees that were planted in last year's Yamaha Forest area have grown well, with some already taller than a person, while some of the trees planted two years ago in the first event have reached a height of six meters. In addition to the tree-planting, this project aims to promote forest preservation and a heightened appreciation of the importance of forests in the environment through activities such as special environmental classes at local elementary, middle and high schools. In conjunction with these activities, donations of school supplies including writing materials, sports equipment, desks, chairs and blackboards are being donated to the local schools. |
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The water-supply facility completed in June |
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Furthermore, in order to improve the living standards of local residents, all parties involved in the Yamaha Forest project contributed to the construction of a water-supply facility to provide clean and healthy drinking water for the community. Yamaha representatives officially made the donations at the opening ceremony for the facility held in June this year. |
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The seedlings used in the annual tree-planting events are grown by the students at the local elementary, middle and high schools with the assistance of OISCA International over a period of roughly one year prior to the planting. For this year's event a much larger number of seedlings was raised than in the previous year, with the total reaching approximately 31,000*3. By the end of the year, these seedlings will be planted over a total area of about 30 hectares. |
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On December 2, approximately 1,900 people*4 gathered for this year's tree-planting event, including Yasushi Yahata, director and executive officer of Yamaha, Toyoo Ohtsubo, director and senior executive officer of Yamaha Motor, staff from environment-related departments, employees of local Yamaha subsidiaries in Indonesia, local residents, and local government officials. Everyone joined the schoolchildren and local residents to plant about 3,500 seedlings. The ceremony held after the tree-planting began with the singing of the Indonesian national anthem, followed by speeches from representatives of both companies and Sukabumi Province government officials. Gifts of school supplies were donated for the local children. |
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Yamaha and Yamaha Motor will continue their efforts to contribute to society by planting and protecting forests. In addition to the Yamaha Forest project, the companies are also engaged in forest preservation activities in Japan. The possibilities of expanding these activities to other regions and countries are being examined. |
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References |
*1) |
Chitaps, Sukabumi Province: |
Chitaps, located 100km south of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, flourished as a base for off-shore fishing, but the surrounding forest was extensively minimized as a result of urban development. The goal of reforestation is to restore stability to the lives of local residents, whether they make their living through farming or fishing. |
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*2) |
OISCA International (Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement) |
A non-profit organization established in 1961 under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. |
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*3) |
Mahogany: 4,000; Albasia: 3,000; Eucalyptus: 4,000; Acacia: 4,000;
six other species: 10,500; five species of fruit trees:5,500 trees; Total: 31,000 trees (15 species) |
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*4) |
Principals, teachers, and students from 20 local elementary, junior high, and high schools: 1,200; Local residents: 300; Representatives of regional government: 40; Representatives of OISCA and local NGOs: 200; Representatives of the Yamaha Group: 160; Total: 1,900 persons |
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Outline of Forestation Activities: |
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Location: |
Indonesia (Chitaps, Sukabumi Province, West Java) |
Period: |
From 2005 to 2009 (5-year plan) |
Scale of forestation: |
120 ha; 150,000-200,000 seedlings, including mahogany, teak, Sengon laut, and eucalyptus |
Sponsors: |
Yamaha Corporation and six local subsidiaries
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and one local subsidiary |
Collaboration: |
OISCA International (NGO) |
Cooperation: |
Local government organizations |
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