The annual event focuses on biodiversity conservation.
Yokohama Rubber held its 12th Panel Discussion on Biodiversity as an online event March 6, bringing together employees and participants from local governments, companies, NPOs and civic groups at 121 locations across Japan. The discussion focused on collaboration to support nature positive initiatives.
Panelist Kaoruko Kurata and moderator Tetsuya Kitazawa led discussions on “Nature Positive Initiatives through Collaboration between Communities and Companies.” The concept of nature positive aims to halt biodiversity loss and support recovery.
Yokohama Biodiversity Panel Discussion 2026 Event Overview
The annual event focuses on biodiversity conservation. This year’s program included a keynote presentation by Kurata titled “Creating a Well-Being Society from the Perspective of Biocultural Diversity.”
Yokohama Rubber presented biodiversity initiatives across its operations. These included invasive species removal and grounds maintenance at Kameyama Satoyama Park, a designated Nature Symbiosis Site.
The activities are conducted by Kameyama Bead Company, Limited, a tire bead manufacturing and sales subsidiary, under a support agreement with Kameyama City in Mie Prefecture. A city official also participated in the session, which included discussion on conservation practices.
Global Biodiversity Context and Industry Initiatives
The discussion referenced the nature positive goal established at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in December 2022. Since then, efforts toward biodiversity recovery have expanded, including the development of action plans in Japan.
Yokohama Rubber has participated in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Forum and the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity since January 2023.
Yokohama Biodiversity Initiatives Across Value Chain
The company’s biodiversity activities include its Yokohama Forever Forest tree-planting program, water quality monitoring, conservation of flora and fauna and community awareness efforts.
Yokohama Rubber is also promoting agroforestry at natural rubber farms as part of its sustainability initiatives. The company’s sustainability slogan is “Caring for the Future.”
