Environmentally Conscious Management | Biodiversity Initiatives
Basic Approach
Global warming and the loss of diversity among wild plant and animal species are among the most serious environmental issues. Canon's corporate philosophy of kyosei embraces biodiversity by taking into account the importance of protecting the environment when conducting business.
For instance, Canon considers the burden on ecosystems and wildlife when constructing buildings and worksites, and tries to preserve a viable habitat for plants and animals.
We also consider plants and animals living near our operational sites, and strive to maintain the natural greenery. When developing sites, our goal is to preserve local species and restore the original woodland by planting trees and other vegetation.
We also work with organizations engaged in biodiversity preservation, encourage employee participation in conservation, and support education in local communities.
Regional Initiatives
Preserving Wildlife Habitats at Operational Sites
The areas around Oita Canon and Oita Canon Materials (Oita Plant) are habitats for such wildlife as salamanders and fireflies. We engaged in conservation efforts when developing the site, including the creation of an aquatic habitat as well as the preservation of natural wetlands.
In addition, the waterside biotope we created at the water reservoir within the facility contains a great diversity of wildlife, including birds, insects, amphibians and fish.
We set up Kani no Mori (Crab Forest) for the flower crab and red-claw crab species that inhabit the area surrounding the Oita Canon Materials Kitsuki Plant, so that our facility can blend in with the natural habitat. Our contribution to the ecological network reaching from the forest to the sea is evident in the number of red-claw crabs that have been seen heading out to sea from Kani no Mori to lay their eggs.
Waterside biotope created at the water reservoir within the grounds of Oita Canon Inc.
Kani no Mori (Crab Forest), established on the grounds of Oita Canon Materials Inc.
Oita Canon's Wildfowl Conservation Efforts: Breeding and Releasing Japanese Pheasants
Canon's Oita Plant, which went online in 2005, is located on a hill overlooking a river, and about one third of the site land has been left natural and undeveloped. Wild Japanese pheasants have roamed the area since before the plant was constructed, and to preserve their numbers, the plant runs a pheasant breeding and release program.
There are streams and marshy areas around the pheasant pens, which are located in the southeast sector of the industrial site. In these wet areas one can encounter crabs, fireflies, and other life in a natural area one wouldn't expect to find on the grounds of a factory.
"Kijitaro" is the nickname the people at Canon use for the pheasants (called kiji in Japanese), and every year the "Kijitaro" lay a number of eggs. These are hatched at the pens, and while raising pheasants to adulthood is not an easy task, the people from the Gyoun Welfare Association provide assistance by giving careful attention to the care of the birds. Once they grow large enough, the pheasants are released into the Canon Forest at the industrial site. We scheduled a pheasant release at the Canon Forest for our October 2010 Family Day, on which our employees and their families were able to watch the release of the birds and also participate in such activities as tree climbing.
The pheasant-breeding season did not go well in 2011 due to temperature fluctuations and repeated heavy rains, so we were unable to hatch or release any pheasants. After that experience we decided to launch the P-Project, in which we will draw upon the deep know-how of Japanese pheasant breeding professionals. The goal of the project is to release 10 to 15 birds in 2012.
We will continue with these efforts to preserve the rich environment around the Oita Plant so that a visit to the Canon Forest means a chance to encounter a pheasant.
Pheasant release on Family Day
Bringing Greenery to Our Operational Sites
A wide variety of plant life, including potential natural vegetation species,* live around Canon Inc.'s Shimomaruko Headquarters, which contains a total green area well above the legal requirement. An abundance of wildlife, including birds such as the titmouse, bulbul and spotbill duck, as well as butterflies and dragonflies, can be found among the rich greenery.
Our sites near the Tama River, such as the Tamagawa Plant, the Yako Office, and the Kawasaki Office, work hard to maintain greenery to fulfill their role in creating an ecological network.
- *Potential natural vegetation species
Plant species that grow without any interference from people.
A pond constructed within the grounds of the Shimomaruko Headquarters
Supporting Conservation at Yellowstone National Park
Canon U.S.A. contributes funds to the globally renowned Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to support surveillance activities targeting endangered wildlife species.
Specifically, through the research and educational program Eyes on Yellowstone, Canon imaging devices are being used for ecological observation with the aim of building a digital-image library that can be accessed through the website. These images will serve as educational resources for millions of children worldwide, helping to foster their knowledge of the global environment and awareness of the importance of conservation.
Promoting the "Furusato" Project
With the aim of bequeathing a beautiful verdant furusato (hometown) to the children of the future, the Canon Marketing Japan Group teamed up with employees, customers, and business partners in May 2010 to start the "Furusato project - Linking Our Dream to the Future."
This nationwide effort involves forging links with local environmental NPOs to create beautiful furusato through such efforts as preserving terraced rice fields and planting forests, reviving arable land that is no longer under cultivation, and reclaiming tidal flats.
39 volunteer activities were carried out in 14 regions nationwide in 2011, with 729 participants. The Furusato project has also become involved in recovery efforts underway in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake by providing ongoing support through charitable donations to NPOs engaged in the recovery and restoration effort, as well as inviting families to visit project areas and providing photography classes and opportunities to experience nature.
We will expand this initiative to other regions in 2012, bringing the number of regional projects to 15.
Rice planting in Mie Prefecture
Weeding a paddy in Yamanashi Prefecture
Digging up potatoes in Shizuoka
Support for Release of Salmon Fry in a Czech National Park
Canon Czech Republic supported the re-stocking of salmon in a river in the Czech Swiss national park (České Švýcarsko National Park) in 2010. 200,000 salmon fry (about 1 cm in length) were released in May 2011. Later, more mature 10 cm-long salmon were released in October.
Previously completed river water quality-improvement projects should allow the released fry to grow strong in their natural environment.
České Švýcarsko is also home to rare orchids, butterflies, and other living things that need protection. We are buying land to preserve this habitat.
Canon will continue to support these conservation efforts, including the salmon-stocking project.
Orchids in the national park
Releasing salmon fry
A butterfly drawing nectar
Orchid and butterfly habitat
Environmental Ads for Endangered Species Protection
Canon believes that increasing awareness of the plight of endangered species is one way of bringing about improvement of the global environment. That is why Canon has for 30 years, since 1981, placed monthly ads in the National Geographic under the title "WILDLIFE AS CANON SEES IT." These ads feature photographs of endangered wildlife, and are accompanied by articles describing their predicament in an appeal to society on their behalf.
Environmental ad: "WILDLIFE AS CANON SEES IT"
