In addition to eel farming, A0’s Bio Rice Field Project transforms conventional rice paddies into biodiverse ecosystems where loaches, killifish, and mayflies thrive. This ecosystem-based approach integrates eel and other native species directly into rice paddies, fostering healthy, self-sustaining habitats. Recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) for biodiversity and greenhouse gas reduction, A0’s rice paddies are a successful case study in regenerative agriculture. Honey, Community, and the Broader Systems Lens A0’s honey brand, Reml Behn, offers another example of its nature-based philosophy. By promoting community-based beekeeping, the brand not only provides local honey but also reinvests part of its proceeds into reforestation and tree-planting events, directly supporting the surrounding environment. Each of these efforts fits within a broader framework of nature-based solutions that blend human needs with environmental stewardship. Systems Lens These efforts fit within a broader framework of nature-based solutions, which research shows are vital for addressing both environmental challenges and human security. 31 By working within natural systems rather than extracting from them, A0 believes its programs create sustainable livelihoods, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of rural communities facing depopulation and economic decline. Nature- based solutions like this could provide a path forward by blending human needs with environmental stewardship in a way that allows both to thrive. As a shareholder, SIIF is helping find ways to measure systemic impact through Impact Measurement and
Management (IMM). People Centered Social Services and Community Support
Another branch of A0’s work addresses critical community needs. In Takashima City, A0 offer services for people with disabilities, creating inclusive employment opportunities. In Nishiawakura, A0 provides multifunctional home care for elderly residents, helping them remain in familiar settings close to family and friends. Its welfare services attempt to move beyond care and foster a supportive environment that aligns with A0’s commit- ment to social and personal security. Data to measure the impact on number of disabled people and the elderly will be included in future SIIF and A0 IMM strategy.
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Ten Years in the Making
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