The catalyst for founding the organization? A T-shirt slogan!?

Adam et Rope Biotop in Shirokanedai, Tokyo. The venue was filled with an unusual mix of people, including product designers, fashion directors, and forest consultants. Holding wooden cups of hinoki cypress, they gazed intently forward.──.





At the center of their gaze was Ryuichi Sakamoto, the representative of more trees. This was a moment from the party held to commemorate the 5th anniversary of more trees' establishment. "One day, while thinking of a slogan for a T-shirt, the phrase 'No Nukes, More Trees' came to mind. That was the very beginning of starting more trees..." he began. He felt that the words "more trees" in particular had the power to appeal to people across differences in thought and nationality.

"But when I actually went into the forest and shared shochu with the people living there, I thought, 'This is not something to be taken lightly; I've started something incredible. It's far beyond a mere slogan' (laughs). In this world, it takes about 70 years for a sapling to become a mature tree. I was a little intimidated, but I couldn't just give up halfway. It's a difficult path, but we've been exploring new possibilities for forests, including nurturing the younger generation to carry on our will."

Forestry Project "more trees Forest"

Although the organization itself was established in July 2007, more trees' activities truly began in late November. The first "more trees Forest" project was launched in Yusuhara Town, Kochi Prefecture. Over the past five years, the number of "more trees Forests" has expanded to 12 locations in total, with 11 across Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and one in Quirino Province, Philippines.





This forestry project, which forms the core of more trees' activities, does not refer solely to afforestation. Needs vary by region. Since forests are deeply connected to the areas where they grow, everything begins with understanding the current situation and the necessary "treatment" for each region. For example, while Japan has abundant forest resources, artificial forests actually cover 25% of its land. Most of these have been neglected for many years, requiring maintenance centered on thinning (cutting trees at appropriate intervals). Meanwhile, in overseas regions where forests are rapidly disappearing, action is needed to halt the decline in forest resources, along with planting new forests through afforestation.

The key is to engage in conservation activities with an attitude of maximizing the potential of each forest. At more trees, local residents, who love and know their own forests better than anyone, are positioned as the protagonists of this project, and forest development has always proceeded in collaboration with them. Looking at the slides, Sakamoto reflected on the 12 "more trees Forests," sharing various anecdotes with mayors, village heads, and residents from different regions, which delighted the audience. "These five years have been supported by so many people. And through the 'more trees Forests,' I've been able to build deep relationships with people from various regions. That circle is still expanding. After all, forest development is a long-term endeavor, so I want to continue working on it patiently for a long time to come."

How to Bridge the Gap Between Cities and Forests

Standing beside Sakamoto, with a look of deep emotion, was Shin-ichi Mizutani, the executive director of more trees. He has been a central figure, overseeing various more trees projects alongside Sakamoto, including the "more trees Forests," promotion of carbon offsets, and the creation of products using domestic timber.

*more trees' carbon offset service = Offsetting (canceling out) CO2 emissions, primarily from economic activities, by the amount absorbed by forests.

The products released so far include wooden benches and cuckoo clocks designed by Naoto Fukasawa, brooches designed by Yuki Kumagai, perpetual calendars designed by Keita Shimizu, and frame shelves designed by Mikiya Kobayashi, all created by designers active at the forefront of product design. In 2011, the wooden mobile phone "TOUCH WOOD" achieved the seemingly incompatible combination of wood and precision machinery. From toys to daily necessities, they offer a diverse lineup, continuously pursuing new possibilities with the blessings of the forest.

And the new product announced at this 5th anniversary party was "Kasane-jyu," designed by Shinichiro Ogata. Luxuriously crafted from the highly prized Chizu cedar from Chizu Town, Tottori Prefecture, known for its fine and beautiful grain, it is a set of five stacked boxes of different sizes. The attendees at the party marveled at its exquisite appearance.





On the first floor of Adam et Rope Biotop, the venue for the party, a pop-up shop "more trees exhibition at Biotop - wonder forest Products Born from Forests -" is currently being held, showcasing all of more trees' wooden products. It is a limited-time event until December 25th (Tuesday), so please take this opportunity to visit.

more trees exhibition at Biotop - wonder forest Products Born from Forests -
Dates | Until December 25 (Tue.)
Hours | 11:00 - 20:00
Venue | Adam et Rope Biotop
4-6-44 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3444-2421

more trees
more trees is a global forest development project that began with the literal call for "more trees." It was founded by five initiators, including Ryuichi Sakamoto, and over 100 people from around the world who endorsed the call. In Japan, where artificial forests are in a critical state, it promotes thinning, and in overseas regions where forests are rapidly declining, it engages in afforestation.