Lounge
May 14, 2015
Ryuichi Sakamoto's "more trees" Initiative Finally Launches! (2)
Ryuichi Sakamoto's "more trees" Initiative Finally Launches! (2)
A Conversation on "Forest" with Supporter Takami Yoshimoto
With the aim of becoming a platform for tree-planting and forest-making activities, and gaining support from various fields,Ryuichi Sakamotolaunched the initiative, more trees." This is the second installment of our coverage of the "Ryuichi Sakamoto's more trees Meeting" held at the Akasaka Civic Center as part of the "Minato Forest and Water Conference 2007." It features a dialogue between supporter and actress Takami Yoshimoto and Sakamoto.
Report by Makoto Kaji (This magazine)Photo by JAMANDFIX
Forests Gently Heal Us
SakamotoNow, let's welcome actress Takami Yoshimoto, one of the 102 supporters of more trees (as of November 30th).
YoshimotoHello everyone. Sakamoto-san, what should supporters do?
SakamotoWe'd like you to help spread the word that "more trees is a wonderful initiative."
YoshimotoAfter listening to what you just said, Sakamoto-san, I truly believe in the healing power of forests and am involved in promoting forest therapy.
SakamotoWhat exactly is forest therapy?
YoshimotoForest therapy is a form of preventive medicine recognized in Germany for 200 years, where people with physical or mental illnesses recover by visiting forests. There are forest therapists who, after medically assessing things like blood pressure, prescribe a suitable forest for the individual, for example, 'Spend X days in a forest with this level of therapeutic effect, walk Y kilometers daily, and do yoga.' They provide a prescription.
SakamotoSo, does the type of forest matter for each person?
YoshimotoYes, while the tree species aren't strictly limited, the location does matter.
SakamotoWould planted, artificial forests not be suitable?
YoshimotoThat's right. Forests with broad-leaved trees, especially ancient ones, tend to have the most healing effect. This is also due to the visual impact. People are moved when they see large trees, aren't they?
SakamotoI've also visited and seen giant trees; they make you want to hug them (laughs).
YoshimotoYou feel a sense of awe. Also, forests that emit a lot of 'phytoncides,' which are aromatic volatile compounds, are typically broad-leaved forests. Japan has 24 such therapy bases.
Forest Benefits That Activate Natural Killer Cells
SakamotoAre these bases located within the forests?
YoshimotoThey are within the forests. It's not as simple as just declaring a location; 24 participants actually stayed in the forest for a week, and their blood pressure, hormone levels, and other data were collected to scientifically validate the forest's effects. What's interesting is that the effects become apparent on the second day of entering the forest.
SakamotoIs that so?
YoshimotoOn the second day, the natural killer cells (NK cells), which attack foreign and mutated cells, become most active.
SakamotoThose are lymphocytes that find and kill cancer cells and virus-infected cells, right?
YoshimotoYes. And there's data showing that even after staying in the forest for three to four days and returning to normal life in the city, the cell activity remains elevated by about 30% for approximately one month.
SakamotoBut staying in a forest for two days is quite difficult. Do the therapy bases have accommodation facilities?
YoshimotoThe therapy bases in Japan do have accommodation facilities.
SakamotoAre you planning to become a forest therapist yourself, Yoshimoto-san?
YoshimotoYes. I'm studying to help promote the role of such therapists.
SakamotoWhy did you become so interested in forests?
YoshimotoI love forests. They are such a pleasant place to be. I've always loved nature.
SakamotoPlease, in the future, incorporate the promotion of more trees into your own activities.
YoshimotoLikewise.
more trees website
http://www.more-trees.org/