straight-grain boards, and other materials. The company also works with local craftsmen to produce unique, high-quality furniture parts, structural materials, and fittings for residential and commercial use. This production supports a range of home-building resources that make sustainable construction accessible to homeowners. The Forest School’s new base in Hokkaido, announced in 2021, will further expand this model. Having started as a small operation with untrained workers and no machinery, the forest school has grown into a central hub for wood processing in Nishiawakura, paving the way for new partnerships and distribution opportunities, all while strengthening local industry and creating jobs in the small village. The lumber business then fuels A0’s broader ecosystem of ventures, from strawberry cultivation and honey production to retail and agricultural composting. Cedar and cypress bark, along with sawdust, are used to create nutrient-rich soil for strawberries in Nishiawakura Village. The strawberry venture has grown significantly, incorporating a CO 2 recycling method that heats the greenhouse, thereby promoting year-round strawberry cultivation. This environmentally friendly approach has turned the strawberry business into both a profitable venture and a model of sustainable agriculture, where customers can visit BASE 101%—a community hub located in Nishiawakura—to taste strawberry-based sweets and enjoy immersive strawberry-picking experiences. Beyond Strawberries to Eel and Rice Production: Reviving Traditions Sustainably Once again, inspired by a childhood memory, Daisuke Maki envisioned a way to revive Japan’s eel populations while preserving traditional food heritage. In 2016, he launched an eel aquaculture project that could utilize wood scraps from A0’s processing plant to sustainably heat eel tanks. Housed in a repurposed elementary school, the aquaculture operation employs local individuals in processing and packaging, and supports both economic inclusion and community revitalization. The eels are distributed across Japan, feeding demand for this high-value commodity while reducing strain on wild eel populations. A0’s Unagi Eating Heritage Project further advocates for eel sustainability, funding research and creating new habitats to protect wild eels for future generations. While A0 suspended its eel production in 2024 to reassess the long-term economic sustainability of the operation, the project’s focus on eel sustainability remains a power- ful example of nature-based solutions (NbS ). This pause allows the company to refine its strategies and ensure that future endeavors are both ecologically viable and economically sound.
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Ten Years in the Making
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