Sustainable Stories
Nagase Viita's WEB Magazine
Introducing the efforts of our partner companies and organizations toward a sustainable society.
08Story
March 05, 2024
- Reviving Japan's Traditional Indigo Culture in Modern Life Creating a Place for Indigo Therapy, “Aijiba (藍治場),” to Heal the Mind and Body
- The “Japan Blue,” also known as “Ai” (indigo plant), exhibits a captivating allure that resonates with people worldwide. Throughout history, indigo has been prized not only as a dyeing material but also for its detoxifying, calming, and wound-healing properties. Mr. Yoshihiro Mitani, an advocate for indigo plant usage, operates pharmacies in Tokushima Prefecture, a renowned region for traditional indigo production. He follows ancient wisdom, integrating these beneficial plants into various aspects of life, including food, to promote mental and physical well-being.
07Story
December 20, 2023
- The Trehalose Application in an Unexplored Area: Conserving Buried Cultural Properties for the Future
- Trehalose, primarily known for its exceptional functionality in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, is now moving on to a unique field: conserving cultural properties. In 2008, researchers developed a groundbreaking conservation technique using trehalose. This method, aimed at safeguarding precious historical materials for future generations, has achieved significant results.
06Story
January 09, 2024
- Preparing for the Looming “2024 Logistics Challenges”:A Distribution Company's Pursuit of Sustainable Logistics
- The power of "logistics" makes it possible to put the necessary goods in the hands of those who need them. While the logistics industry plays an indispensable role in our daily lives, it faces an impending concern of declining transportation capacity due to a shortage of drivers, known as the "2024 Logistics Challenges." One distribution company in Fuji City, Shizuoka, has been taking conscientious actions to overcome these challenges and ensure the survival of both the company and the industry in the best way possible.
05Story
July 10, 2023
- Sharing the Pleasures of Good Eats for Everyone with EveryoneHeartfelt Allergen-Free Treats Made in the Land of Rice
- Mr. and Mrs. Nakazato moved from Tokyo to the countryside of Okayama. The couple opened their café OMOYA 545 in the Mitsu Gojou district, surrounded by rich rice fields. Their café serves allergen-free* treats using flour from locally produced rice. The Nakazatos had always valued bringing people together and saw an opportunity in the Gojou area, where depopulation is becoming more prevalent. As they hoped, their business is becoming the community hub where people are "enjoying everything together."
04Story
August 09, 2022
- Giving a new value to a locally produced Japanese paper materialYUNOKA Cosmetics with Mitsumata Extract
- Mitsumata (oriental paperbush) was once widely cultivated in the mountain hamlet of Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture. Collaboration between industry and academia revealed that mitsumata, a plant used since ancient times in traditional Japanese washi paper and currency, had a new value-inhibiting melanin production. And thus, an original cosmetic brand, kind to both the skin and the environment, was created. Prompted by this development, the local area has also launched initiatives to revitalize mitsumata cultivation and pass down the culture of traditional Japanese paper making.
03Story
March 30, 2022
- Pioneering the Way to Making Sustainable Agriculture a Reality:Biostimulants Offering New Solutions
- You may have heard the term “bio-stimulant” – a new keyword in the field of agriculture. Although still unfamiliar to the general public, biostimulants are being used to increase productivity by supplementing the effects of fertilizers and agrochemicals. They are now gaining attention in countries around the world as a new technology that is helping to solve various agricultural, food supply and procurement-related issues. In Japan, an industry association was established in 2018, and initiatives for the popularization of biostimulants have begun.
02Story
October 11, 2021
- Cacao and chocolateConnecting two different worlds through exploration in Colombia
- Mayumi Ogata of "CACAO HUNTERS" incorporates South America and Japan into her work connecting cacao producers and chocolate consumers. She began her journeys to the cacao-producing country in 2003 and since 2010 has been engaged in activities such as researching cacao and transferring production knowledge to Colombia. Ogata continues her efforts to improve overall cacao production in the country and develop a system that can process and export high-quality chocolate to further improve market value.
01Story
June 11, 2021
- Exploiting Nature’s Fruits to the FullestEfforts of a dried fruit manufacturer in Minami Shinshu
- Located in the nature-rich Shimoina region of Nagano Prefecture, the Minami Shinshu Confectionery Factory is engaged in creating dried fruit products that make the most of the ingredients’ natural flavors. In addition to contributing to the revitalization of local agriculture and the reduction of food loss through agri-processing, the company pursues sustainable initiatives such as generating biomass fuel using the sugar solution that is a by-product.
