"JX Metals Copper-kun's Forest/Yoshino," which our company provided technical support, has been certified as a "Nature Coexistence Site" by the Ministry of the Environment.
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer: Osamu OMOTO) has provided technical support to JX Metals Corporation managing the "JX Metals Copper-kun's Forest/Yoshino" (hereinafter, this site) which was certified as a "Nature Coexistence Site" under the Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act.
In providing consulting services related to nature positivity for this certification, we conducted the necessary surveys for the nature coexistence site application, assisted in preparing the application documents, and provided support for the review committee, handling the entire process up to certification.
Our company has a proven track record in supporting national green infrastructure and biodiversity policies, as well as implementing environmental conservation measures through environmental assessments. Moving forward, as experts in the fields of biodiversity and natural capital, we will continue to provide solutions aimed at effectively utilizing untapped natural capital assets held by companies, solving regional challenges, and simultaneously achieving carbon neutrality and nature-positive implementation.
■ About "Nature Coexistence Site" based on the Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act
Since fiscal year 2023, the Ministry of the Environment has been designating "Areas where biodiversity conservation is being achieved through private sector initiatives" as "Nature Coexistence Site." Subsequently, in April 2025, the Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act was enacted, formalizing the system. As a result, if a plan for biodiversity maintenance, restoration, and creation initiatives implemented primarily by companies, NPOs, local governments, and community organizations is certified by the national government, the area where the initiative is implemented will be designated as a "Nature Coexistence Site."
"Nature Coexistence Site" is an important mechanism for achieving "Nature Positivity" (stopping and reversing biodiversity loss) and the "30 by 30 goals" (the goal of effectively conserving more than 30% of land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030).
■ Overview of "JX Metals Copper-kun's Forest/Yoshino"
This site is part of a company-owned forest (a closed or abandoned mine) managed by JX Metals Corporation, located in a mountainous area of Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. It is the former site of the Yoshino Mine, and the name "Yoshino" in the site name is derived from the name of this former mine. The land, which was once used in connection with forestry, agriculture, and mining operations, has undergone subsequent succession and now forms a rural landscape. The diverse mosaic environment, a combination of forests and grasslands that formed after the closure of the mine, has high value from the perspective of biodiversity. In the entire application area, 326 species of plants from 95 families and 51 species of birds from 25 families in 10 orders have been confirmed, and it plays an important role as a habitat for rare species, including the Grey-faced Buzzard and the Great Spotted Woodpecker. This site aims to maintain the diverse rural landscape ecosystem as well as its function as a habitat for rare species. These efforts were evaluated, and it was certified as a "maintenance type" project, which targets activities that maintain areas that are already rich in biodiversity.
■Reference information
[JX Metals Corporation] Press Release: "JX Metals Copper-kun's Forest" has been designated a "Nature Coexistence Site" by the Ministry of the Environment.
[Ministry of the Environment] Press release: Regarding the certification of "Nature Coexistence Site" under the Regional Biodiversity Promotion Act (3rd round in FY2025)
[Ministry of the Environment] Website: 30by30 "Nature Coexistence Site"