“Santome Konjakumura” has been certified as a”Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites” under the “Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act”

We are pleased to announce that Santome Konjakumura, an environmental education field operated by Ishizaka Inc. (Head office: Miyoshi-machi, Saitama Prefecture; President: Noriko Ishizaka), was certified as a “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites” in the second half of fiscal year 2023, and has now been re-certified in September of fiscal year 2025 following the new legislation of the “Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act.”

Until now, the Ministry of the Environment has certified “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites” as “areas where biodiversity conservation efforts are being made through private initiatives, etc.” However, starting in fiscal year 2025, the system will shift to a legal system based on the “Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act.” The Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will jointly certify sites with the aim of further expanding private initiatives aimed at nature positivity and strengthening support for collaboration between companies and organizations. This was the first time that the certification process was held, with 201 sites selected nationwide.

An awards ceremony was held on September 30th (at the Sabo Kaikan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo), where representatives of certified sites from across the country gathered to receive certificates and hear presentations introducing their activities.

Our certified site, “Santome Konjakumura,” is a satoyama (satoyama) area spanning two cities and one town: Miyoshi Town, Tokorozawa City, and Kawagoe City in Iruma County, southern Saitama Prefecture. This area, once poorly managed and subject to repeated illegal dumping, has been regenerated through a management system that includes regeneration cutting and undergrowth clearing, as well as a biological monitoring system. It has also been recognized for its openness to the public as a place for environmental education and for the preservation of traditional culture.

Aiming to be “nature positive” and halt biodiversity loss and restore biodiversity, Ishizaka Inc. joined the “30 by 30 Alliance for Biodiversity” in 2022. This initiative contributes to achieving Japan’s “30 by 30 Goals,” and we will continue to actively work toward the restoration of biodiversity through the conservation and preservation of satoyama and environmental education through experiences.


[Santome Konjakumura]
https://santome-community.com/

[Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites]
https://policies.env.go.jp/nature/biodiversity/30by30alliance/kyousei/nintei/index.html

[30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity]
https://policies.env.go.jp/nature/biodiversity/30by30alliance/