Initiatives to Preserve Biodiversity

SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES TOP > Sustainability > Priority Issues > Ecology（Ecological Sustainability） > Initiatives to Preserve Biodiversity

Ecology [Preserving biodiversity]

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Initiatives to Preserve Biodiversity
Creating Biotopes at Bases around Japan
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Initiatives to Preserve Biodiversity

The Sumitomo Rubber Group

The Group is involved in conservation activities focused on endangered, near threatened and rare species (five species of animal and 15 species of plant) at all eight of its sites in Japan, consisting of six factories, the Head Office and the Tire Proving Ground. The Kakogawa Factory is engaged in transplanting “Fujibakama” (Eupatorium japonicum) cultivated on its grounds to Kakogawa River beds as well as providing this plant to neighboring corporations and cities. Meanwhile, the Ichijima Factory strives to preserve the great purple emperor (Sasakia charonda), a designated national butterfly, and the tiny loach fish Lefua echigonia (Cobitidae family). The above butterfly was also found to be emerging successfully on the premises of the Okayama Tire Proving Ground. In “Kobe Mount Rokko GENKI Forest,” we are currently striving for the preservation and breeding of the Japanese bellflower, a rare species. Having collected seeds from native grown flowers, we have nurtured seedlings and transplanted them to areas where we engage in conservation activities.

Kobe Mount Rokko GENKI Forest
Native grown Japanese bellflower

Ichijima Factory
The great purple emperor (Nymphalidae family)
Near threatened species designated by Hyogo Prefecture

On the premises of the Okayama Tire Proving Ground, a *Sasakia charonda* (Nymphalidae family) butterfly, which is designated by Okayama Prefecture as a species requiring particular interest, emerges successfully for the first time in 2020

*Chionographis japonica* (Melanthiaceae family) cultivated on the premises of the Nagoya Factory is a rare species

*Echinops setifer* (Asteraceae family), an endangered species designated by Miyazaki Prefecture cultivated on the premises of the Miyazaki Factory

*Lefua echigonia* (Cobitidae family), a class I endangered species designated by Hyogo Prefecture, lives on the premises of the Ichijima Factory

Japanese dog’s tooth violet (*Erythronium japonicum*), a rare species, blossoming on the premises of a Group factory (today, colonies of this plant are rare sights.)

*Hosta kiyosumiensis*, designated as a near threatened species by Hyogo Prefecture, found on the premises of the Head Office

“Fujibakama,” a class II endangered species designated by Hyogo Prefecture, cultivated on the Kakogawa Factory’s premises

*Alpinia japonica*, a rare species, nurtured at the Izumiotsu Factory

Creating Biotopes at Bases around Japan

The Sumitomo Rubber Group

At the Sumitomo Rubber Group, the development of biotopes has been under way on the premises of some business bases to enable various local native species to form natural ecosystems unique to each region. Currently, a total of five biotopes are maintained at the Shirakawa Factory, the Nagoya Factory, the Kobe Head Office, the Miyazaki Factory and Ichijima Factory.

Each biotope has been created by employees donating their time off to the project. Acting in collaboration with neighboring residents, we are thus striving to preserve and nurture native plants and aquatic creatures so that they can thrive again in their regions of origin.

A biotope named “Sou Sou no Izumi” (Kobe Head Office)

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The Sumitomo Rubber Group

Participating in a biodiversity symposium—helping rediscover the natural beauty of the Rokko mountain range environment

Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the commencement of its construction, in 2021 Kobe Municipal Arboretum hosted a symposium in tandem with Kobe City, with the aim of communicating the natural beauty of the environment of Mount Rokko. The symposium was held from January 29 to March 31, 2021, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was made accessible to the public only via the internet.

Having participated in the event in the category of biodiversity-related presentations focused on Mount Rokko, we exhibited materials showcasing green initiatives undertaken by the Sumitomo Rubber Group. This event provided us with a good opportunity to let a broad range of the general public know about our locally-rooted green initiatives that exemplify the variety of activities that can contribute to a sustainable society, energize neighboring communities, and protect the global environment.