4 October 2025,
On October 4, 2025, the National Tree-Raising Festival was held for the first time in Miyagi Prefecture in the presence of Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino. In the ceremony that took place at Shiraishi City National Hanayama Youth Nature Center, Minami-Zao Campground, His Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino attended a tree-care event after confirming the growth of beech trees and other plants planted by Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita at the 1997 National Tree-Planting Festival.
On the same day, a meeting for case presentation and panel discussion with the local community was held at the Natori City Cultural City Hall. The meeting, organized by the Miyagi Prefecture and National Land Greening Promotion Organization, served as a concurrent event of the National Tree-Raising Festival and was aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting and fostering forests. Approximately 240 people selected through an open recruitment process attended the meeting.
In the meeting, Mr. Toshimichi Yoshida, Director in charge of Global Sustainability Mission, represented OISCA as one of the panelists together with Mr. Tatsutane Fukuda, Vice President and Manager of the Ninohe Branch, Konishi Decorative Arts and Crafts Co., Ltd., and Mr. Kentaro Saito, Miyagi Area Manager, the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA),
while Ms. Asako Nagano, President of Mori-Age Inc., served as the coordinator of the meeting. Mr. Yoshida of OISCA made a presentation on the overview of the Coastal Forest Restauration Project in Natori City, initiated immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, and introduced the current progress of the project. Following the presentation of cases, a panel discussion was held.
On October 5, the ceremonial functions took place at Sekisui Heim Super Arean in Rifu-chou in the presence of Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princesses Akisino and with the participation of some 4,000 people. The ceremony featured awards for companies, organizations, and individuals with outstanding contributions to greening operations, as well as presentations on forest conservation activities within Miyagi Prefecture. Along with many other organizations, OISCA was awarded by Miyagi Prefecture for its meritorious service in afforestation
From OISCA, Ms. Etsuko Nakano, President; Mr. Michio Hirose, Vice Chairman of the Board; Mr. Koichi Sasaki, Field Manager of OISCA Natori Office; Toshimichi Yoshida, Director in charge of Global Sustainability Mission (GSM); Ms. Kumiko Hayashi Director, International Cooperation Division; and Ms. Nanaho Asano, Deputy Manager in charge of GSM, participated.
The TIH Crown Prince Akishino delivered a speech. Regarding efforts to restore coastal forest disaster prevention forests badly damaged by the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake, he said: “Maintaining rich, undisturbed forests and passing them on to future generations is an important duty entrusted to us. I pray that the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake will be widely shared, and that the spirit of those who protect and nurture our forests will spread from Miyagi to the entire nation”.
After the functions, TIH Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino inspected the Forestry Technology Institute of the prefecture located in Ohira Village, and received a briefing on the restoration progress of coastal forests for disaster prevention by the stakeholders. Mr. Koichi Sasaki, OISCA Natori Field Manager, and Ms. Nanaho Asano, Deputy Manager in charge of GSM, explained about the coastal forest restoration project and were asked questions about thinning operations, removal of kudzu and Japanese black acacia, and volunteer activities.
and other panelists at the Natori meeting
