The region comprising the city of Kumamoto and 10 surrounding municipalities is a rare example of an area where the tap water for approximately 1 million residents is sourced almost entirely from groundwater. Volcanic deposits from ancient eruptions of Mount Aso created a highly porous soil structure that naturally filters rainwater deep underground, enriching it with minerals. This is the primary reason why the global beverage company Suntory Holdings built its Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant here in 2003.
The facility uses this high-quality groundwater to produce various products such as beer and Suntory Tennensui, the company’s signature natural mineral water. That same year, the company launched its first Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary in Kumamoto to enhance water-source recharge capabilities and preserve biodiversity. Working in collaboration with experts in various fields, Suntory conducts research to identify the forests’ characteristics, conditions and challenges, formulates medium- to long-term action plans and carries out activities such as creating maintenance trails, pest control, thinning, pruning and planting.
The results are verified using various scientific data and simulations. By identifying areas for improvement and regularly reassessing the forests’ conditions, the project continuously adjusts its action plan and maintains the forest environment. Unmanaged or overly dense forests block sunlight from reaching the ground, making it difficult for a diverse range of flora and fauna to thrive.
In such forests, the soil becomes hard and barren, causing rainwater to run off into rivers instead of seeping underground, increasing flood risks. The richer the variety of plants, the greater the array of small animals that feed on them, which attracts larger predators, creating an environment rich in biodiversity. Fallen leaves and animal waste are broken down by microorganisms into rich humus soil, where soil organisms till the earth to create a soft, fluffy surface layer that allows rainwater to seep more easily into the layers deep below.
A resilient ecosystem where various plants coexist — some trees spreading their roots widely, others extending their roots deeply, and grasses taking root near the surface — is precisely what protects soil from eroding or collapsing. This disaster-prevention function and the abundant water resources provided by nature are an important asset not only for local businesses including Suntory but also for local communities. Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary is designed to create and sustain this environment.
As of March, the initiative had expanded to 27 locations across 16 prefectures. The total area of forests being restored and conserved by Suntory exceeds 12,000 hectares, recharging more than double the volume of groundwater extracted by its own plants in Japan. For Suntory, these efforts are not separate from its business.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
