A0’s Nature-Positive, Social Business Ecosystem Yuya Kato describes A0’s systemic approach to nature-positive social business as “being centered on three interrelated elements—people, nature, and economy.” 26 He adds, “This is not a siloed approach, but an integrated systems approach to supporting community and thriving.” 27 Economic-Centered Training Business and the Public Sector Collaborating with the corporate sector is a key strategic focus. The company is working to position itself as a hub for corporations seeking to connect their work and mission with nature. With a growing global demand for environmentally conscious decisions, many companies are recognizing the need to integrate nature and biodiversity into their missions. 28 Maki sees this as an opportunity for the village. A0’s location, surrounded by nature, is ideal for corporate retreats where companies can pause, reconnect with their mission, and engage in team-building activities in an environment they couldn’t replicate in an office. Maki worked with Panasonic Energy to refine its future direction by incorporating these elements into its corporate strategy. Panasonic has established a new mission and future vision—to contribute to the development of sustainable societies, harmonizing enriched lifestyles with care for the environment. 29 These retreats provide a unique opportunity for companies to internalize their mission, fostering a deeper connection to sustainability. Additionally, A0 holds contracts with three local governments to provide training on entrepreneurship built around the sustainability of people and places. Nature Centered Sustainable Forestry and Beyond At the heart of A0‘s vision is its sustainable forestry initiative, where forests are managed to balance ecosystem health and community needs. Timber is sustainably sourced from Nishiawakura’s FSC-certified forests, where every stage—from sawing and drying to product processing—is conducted in house. This enables A0 to maintain high-quality standards across a wide range of wood products, including flooring, furniture, and even household cutlery. The sawmill operation is run largely run by women, with teams managing processes and sustainable resource sourcing. In addition to these products, A0 runs a retail outlet through their Nishiawakura Mori no Gakko forest school, which sells locally sourced logs, FSC-certified 30 plywood, Hinoki 144
Ten Years in the Making
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