Preservation of Biodiversity
Kikkoman has depended on natural blessings for its livelihood since the Edo era. Soybeans from Hitachi, wheat from Shimosa Plateau, Joshu, and Sagami, and salt from Gyotoku and Ako transported to Noda by the Edo River have all been gifts from nature to produce soy sauce. That is not all. The Edo River made it possible to ship the soy sauce produced by boat departing from Noda in the morning and arriving at Nihonbashi by noon. Additionally, the Edo River water suitable for soy sauce production helped us keep the quality of Kikkoman soy sauce quite high. Japanese cedars and bamboos that we utilize to make barrels are also provided by nature’s bounty.
Natural benefits, including the Edo River, have provided immeasurable precious benefits for our soy sauce production in Noda. Behind the Kikkoman’s environmental philosophy to “respect the working of nature and contribute to the realization of a society comfortable to live in through our corporate activities keeping harmony with the environment” is the fact that we have such a long history. Moreover, the Kikkoman group’s companies use natural products such as soybeans, wheat, tomatoes, grapes, seaweeds, salt, and koji mold as raw ingredients for our products. It is nature that supports the Kikkoman group. Therefore, we place importance on people, resources, and climate while addressing environmental issues that require coexistence with nature and harmony with our society to solve. We believe that is our first step to “become a company whose existence is meaningful to society” in the world.
１）Participation in Chiba Corporate Network for Biodiversity
In April 2013, Chiba Prefecture where Kikkoman Head Office is located launched the “Chiba Corporate Network for Biodiversity” in cooperation with the public and private sectors, in order to support and strengthen efforts of municipalities, corporations, NPOs, and educational research institutes toward preserving and sustainably utilizing biodiversity. Kikkoman has participated in this network since the launch. A new section to provide visitors with information on the importance of biodiversity called Biodiversity Satellite Station opened in the Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum where factory tours are conducted.
２）Support for the creation of Kingfisher Lake in Singapore and the award of the natural heritage “Rain Tree” (KIKKOMAN (S) PTE LTD (KSP))
In 2010, KSP supported the creation of Kingfisher Lake, a lake that has an eco-filter system to clean water using aquatic plants, located inside the national garden Gardens by the Bay, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the foundation.
This KSP’s support was highly evaluated by the Singaporean government. The government recognized KSP as a corporation which has contributed to the promotion of beautification and greening in Singapore. As a token, the natural heritage “Rain Tree” (80 years old) in the Fort Canning Park was awarded to KSP.
３）Support for the water resource conservation project in the Netherlands and EDEN award 2013 (KIKKOMAN FOODS EUROPE B.V. (KFE))
KFE located in Groningen state in the Netherlands has been cooperating as a main sponsor since 2000 with the “water quality improvement project of Lake Zuidlaardermeer in Groningen state” that a local environmental conservation organization started with support from EU and the government of the Netherlands. Donations from KFE were used to pursue this project that includes introduction and management of Kikkoman Windmill to pump lake water and make it flow into a purification channel. It has contributed to remarkable achievement in water quality improvement and recovery of wildlife species inhabiting the lake.
In FY2013, the continuous environmental conservation activities by KFE were given high regards by the government of the Netherlands, and KFE was selected as a winner of EDEN award 2013. In FY2017, KFE determined to keep supporting the project commemorating the 20th anniversary of the foundation.
４）Support for the tree planting program in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (KIKKOMAN (S) PTE LTD (KSP))
Singapore has seen a decline in mangrove forests that has resulted in a situation which threatens rare tropical species of animals and plants. The Singapore government has seriously addressed the problem to improve the situation. One example is a mangrove planting program started in 2015 along the coastline of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, the natural heritage in northern Singapore. KSP donated 500,000 Singapore dollars to support nature conservation activities such as this planting program and environmental education, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the foundation.
(In Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in July 2018)
After some mangroves that KSP donated have grown to the size for planting, KSP employees and their families voluntarily planted them in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in FY2017-2018.
5）Support for the water purification project (KIKKOMAN (S) PTE LTD (KSP))
KSP, the Kikkoman group’s production base in Singapore, supports the goals of the urban park, Gardens by the Bay, that the Singaporean government has been developing. These goals include improvements in the water environment in Singapore through purification of water environment where aquatic plants, etc. inhabit.
In 2021, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the foundation KSP contributed 500,000 Singapore dollars to develop Kingfisher Wetlands, a nature sanctuary for mangroves and wild birds, adjacent to Kingfisher Lake that KSP has supported. This activity contributes to water purification and decarbonization that Singapore pursues as well as embodies the Kikkoman group’s missions that are aimed at harmony with the environment and sustainable society.