Biodiversity

Mie Plant　

Located in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, water intake is from the Miya River system, which is said to be one of the clearest river systems in Japan. Water is discharged into the Hinokijiri River, which is a tributary of the Isuzu River. We have conducted activities with the aim of reducing the impact on these two rivers and the surrounding wildlife at three locations near the plant through three teams.

Survey results

(1) Monitoring and preservation activities
1. Higashitoyohama Hinterlands Black Team representative
In the hinterlands in the downstream of the Miya River, we monitor wild birds with the aim of improving the abundance of local nature, and as part of these efforts, we have created our own wild birds catalog and observation map. Unfortunately, we have learned that preservation activities are limited here because this location is on private property, and the location of activities changes to a retarding basin on plant premises midway. The cooling water effluent for some facilities and rainwater are the main source of water for this retarding basin, and as there is inflow from agricultural water for neighboring fields, we are trying to develop this as a biotope.

• wild birds survey in the hinterlands in the downstream of the Miya River

  

• Biotope restoration activities in the land adjacent to the plant

  

2. Hinokijiri River Kid's Team representative
In the midstream of the Hinokijiri River, in addition to surveying water quality, we also observe black killfish and flying dragonflies. It has been determined that water discharged from the plant has contributed to the purification of river water quality and that continuing to discharge water even when the plant is not operating has contributed to the prevention of fish dying from the lack of oxygen. By conducting monitoring activities including the creation of habitat distribution charts for black killfish we confirm the impact on the ecosystem where water is discharged.

• Electrical conductivity measurement point

  

• Electrical conductivity measurement results

  

3. Ominato sea coast Noppo Team representative
The Ominato sea coast is the final exit of two rivers, the Miyagawa River and Isuzu River, facing the Ise Bay, and it is also the spawning ground of the loggerhead sea turtle that is specified as a class II endangered species. For this reason, we are conducting coastal cleaning activities, removing oenothera laciniata that is specified as an exotic plant requiring caution through exotic plant removal methods and working to protect native seaside plants such as glehnia littoralis, and making our own instruments for measuring the depth and hardness of the sandy beach in order to evaluate that status of the coast. Furthermore, as a form of extracurricular learning for Ominato Elementary School, we made a visit to provide a lesson for students in the fourth grade and removed oenothera laciniata together with them on October 4, 2013.

• Removal of oenothera laciniata at the Ominato sea coast with the students of Ominato Elementary School

  

• Making a sandy beach suitable for egg-laying by loggerhead sea turtles
  
  

  

(2) Information disclosure and communication with localcommunities
1. Company-wide Biodiversity Conservation Debriefing Meeting
The first Biodiversity Conservation Debriefing Meeting was held at the Mie Plant on October 4, 2013 In this meeting attended by representatives of local offices in the Ise City area and government officials from Mie Prefecture and Ise City, Yokohama Rubber provided an explanation of its stance towards biodiversity conservation activities it has implemented up until now while presenting samples related to the activities it has implemented. Explanations were also provided by representatives of offices in areas away from the Mie Plant concerning the activities implemented in each region.
We received a variety of opinions from the participants and plan to incorporate these opinions into activities in the future.

2. Visiting lesson at Kuratayama Junior High School
We started providing visiting lessons on the theme of the environment for third-year students at the Kuratayama Junior High School in Ise City on December 6, 2013. We introduced various issues related to the global environment and the biodiversity conservation activities being implemented by Yokohama Rubber in Ise City, particularly activities focused on the Hinokijiri River that runs through the city. Everyone listened very enthusiastically.

• The First Biodiversity Conservation Debriefing Meeting

  

• Visiting lesson at Kuratayama Junior High School
  
  

  

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Shinshiro Plant, Shinshiro - Minami Plant　

The two plants located in Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture uptake water from and discharge water to the Noda River and Kuroda River, which are tributaries of the Toyo River system. Based on an awareness of the benefits of the Toyo River system and for the purpose of minimizing the impact of our production activities, through three team we conducted monitoring and preservation activities eight times at three locations: on the Noda River and Kuroda River surrounding our business locations and at Yotsuya Senmaida in the upstream of the Toyo River system. Bird monitoring was conducted with the participation and guidance of members of the Toutoumi Wild Bird Society of Japan.

Locations of biodiversity conservation activities for FY 2013 and details of activities

(1) Monitoring and preservation activities
1. Yotsuya Senmaida
The grass is cut and monitoring of water quality and aquatic organisms is conducted at Yotsuya Senmaida. There have been 24 types of aquatic organisms confirmed, among which the rare lefua echigonia and Japanese fire belly newt (cynops pyrrhogaster) have been observed.

• Lefua echigonia

  

• Japanese fire belly newt (cynops pyrrhogaster)

  

2. Noda River
Monitoring of water quality, aquatic organisms, and wild birds has been conducted at Yotsuya Senmaida. There have been 24 types of aquatic organisms and 33 types of wild birds confirmed here. There are rice paddies and forest near this area and visibility is good, and we have found that these make excellent environmental conditions for the feeding and roosting of wild birds.

Biodiversity survey at the Noda River

3. Kuroda River
The grass is cut and monitoring of water quality, aquatic organisms, and wild birds is conducted at the Kuroda River. There have been 28 types of aquatic organisms and 36 types of wild birds confirmed observed at the Kuroda River, and we have found that despite it being a small river it is inhabited by a wide variety of organisms. In terms of wild birds, a near-threatened species called the goshawk was observed in November.

• Water quality study on the Kuroda River

  

• Wild birds observation on the Kuroda River

  

(2) Information disclosure and communication with local communities
The Shinshiro Plant has participated since the initial establishment of the Shinshiro and Shitara Ecosystem Network Council in October 2013 following the formulation of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by 2020 by Aichi Prefecture, and at the Shitara Forum held in December 2013 a report was provided on the biodiversity conservation activities at the Shinshiro Plant and the YOKOHAMA Forever Forest project.

Activities announced at the Shinshiro and Shitara Ecosystem Network Council

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Mishima Plant　

(1) Monitoring, protection activities
Located in Mishima City, Shizuoka, the Mishima Plant draws well water for its operations and discharges waste water into the Goten River, a tributary of the Kano River. Spring water is found in abundance in Mishima City, it being noted for its particularly good quality. Based on our awareness as to the importance of reducing the impact of production activities, the Goten River was monitored (on water quality, aquatic life and flora) and cleaning activities also conducted. Moreover, in that kingfishers were observed nesting along the banks of the river, monitoring of nests was done 24-hours a day via remote cameras until the fledglings departed.

Locations of biodiversity conservation activities for FY 2013 and details of activities

• Water quality study on the Goten River
  (before the drainage outlet)

  

• Kingfisher returning to dig a nest
  
  

  

(2) Information disclosure and communication with local communities
We visited Mishima Environmental Policy Division on March 11, 2013 to provide an explanation on biodiversity activities. Subsequently at the regularly-held residents meeting on March 20 we provided a similar explanation on our biodiversity activities to residents of the local community. We provided information at what we have learned through surveys and presented materials indicating our future plans. We received a variety of opinions from the participating residents and plan to utilize these opinions into activities in the future.

Community explanatory meeting

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Onomichi Plant　

(1) Monitoring and preservation activities
The location is reclaimed land on the coast at the mouth of the Fujii River in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. Water for industrial use is reliant on waterworks provided by the city with the upstream of the Fujii River as the water source, and wastewater is all discharged to the sewage system. While there is no direct intake or discharge of water from the plant to the adjacent Fujii River, in consideration of the fact that production activities are dependent on local water resources, activities are conducted that aim at creating a river environment maintaining sufficient water quality and water quantity for sound water circulation as required for the sustainable use of these water resources. During 2013 monitoring of water quality, aquatic life, birds, and vegetation was conducted at Fujii River Shinsui Park and two locations on the plant premises. On the plant premises there are various dragonflies and other insects that like to inhabit waterfront areas; grasshoppers, crickets, and butterflies that like to inhabit grassy areas; and neptis philyra (type of butterfly) that like to inhabit forest areas. These areas have also been propagated by the wandering glider from Southeast Asia and the common darter that propagate marshes near the coast. As there is a rich variety of grassland, forest, and aquatic insects inhabiting a myriad of environments, we know that contributions have been made to the preservation of ecosystems in green areas on the plant premises. Bird monitoring was conducted with the participation and guidance of members of the Hiroshima Prefecture chapter of the Wild Bird Society of Japan.

• Neptis philyra (type of butterfly)

  

• Wandering glider

  

Insect collecting

A workshop was conducted at the end of the year, and it was decided to conduct activities at Fujii River Shinsui Park and two locations at the plant premises from 2014 and onward. We will conduct monitoring of water quality, birds, aquatic life, and vegetation, river cleaning, and removal of introduced species at Fujii River Shinsui Park, while at the plant premises we will conduct monitoring of birds and insects and establish biotopes.

• Workshop

  

• Summary of opinions

  

Locations of biodiversity conservation activities for FY 2013 and details of activities

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Ibaraki Plant 　

(1) Monitoring and preservation activities
The plant is in Omitama, in the middle of broad rice fields on the Kanto Plain. Underground water is used for water intake, and while the amount of water used here is low compared to other plants, this water is essential for operations. Discharge water is discharged into the Sonobe River located approximately 800 meters from the plant. The downstream of the Sonobe River is connected to Lake Kasumigaura, and this water is used for agricultural purposes in rural zones in the area. We learned that during the busy farming season water is pumped up from Lake kasumigaura downstream to compensate for water shortages, and that there is a significant increase in water quantity. We implement environmental conservation activities by conducting monitoring to evaluate the soundness of the river. Monitoring of the Sonobe River was conducted three times during 2013 at three locations: the point of plant water discharge, as well as upstream and downstream from this point. Members of the local Omitama Seibutus no Kai and the Ibaraki Prefecture chapter of the Wild Bird Society of Japan participated as advisors while the project was underway. In terms of birds, it was discovered that the area was inhabited by shrike after observing waterfowl throughout the year. We also learned that in terms of aquatic organisms the area was inhabited by many exotic crayfish and pond loaches, and in terms of plants by many horseweeds, goldenrods, and rapes.

• Capturing aquatic organisms

  

• Wild birds observation

  

A workshop was held in October and was decided that monitoring of the Sonobe River basin would be conducted by three teams and that exotic species would be removed as a preservation activity.

Biodiversity conservation activity plan for FY2014

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Nagano Plant 　

(1) Monitoring and preservation activities
The plant is in Takamori Town, which is located approximately 20 minutes by car along the Tenryu River from Iida, Nagano Prefecture. There is also a warehouse in Toyooka, which is somewhat further away from the Tenryu River. The area surrounding the plant is full of orchards and fields, making it an area with an abundant natural environment. Underground water is used for water intake, and discharge water is purified and discharged as sewage. Note that rainwater is released to the Oshima River that is a tributary of the Tenryu River that flows nearby. Biodiversity conservation activities consist of monitoring of water quality, birds, aquatic life, and vegetation at three locations: the Oshima River, the confluence of the Tenryu River, and the tributary the Terasawa River. In the Tenryu River basin, exotic plants such as tickseed, black locust, ragweed, and bur cucumber have been observed, while in terms of aquatic organisms water insects (such as water stick insects and sphelocheirus vittatus) and amphibians that prefer healthy water have been observed. In addition, it was observed that despite it being a river basin there were few waterfowl and that there were many urban birds such as bulbuls, sparrows, and gray starlings. Bird monitoring was conducted with the participation and guidance of members of the Inadani chapter of the Wild Bird Society of Japan.
It was decided that a workshop would be held at the end of the year and that monitoring of the Tenryu River basin would be conducted by three teams at two locations and that exotic species would be removed as a preservation activity.

Biodiversity conservation activity plan for FY2014

• Tickseed on the Oshima River

  

• Bullfrog on the Tenryu River

  

Macromia larvae on the Tenryu River

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Hiratsuka Plant　

(1) Monitoring and preservation activities
The Hiratsuka Plant is located in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture approximately 1km to the north of the train station in that city. This location is approximately one hour by train from the head office in Tokyo. This is a business location that combines product manufacturing processes and the R&D function, and a characteristic of this location that differentiates it from other business locations is that it is an aggregate of multiple offices. For this reason it was decided to let staff members experience monitoring surveys as a part of biodiversity initiatives. For this reason Step 2 would take a longer period of time than other business locations and it was decided that activities would be conducted by different staff members every time without forming fixed activity teams. The plant uses both underground water and city water, and discharge water is all discharged to public sewerage. Because the Kaname River basin is the intake point for underground water, a total of three locations were used as monitoring locations: two locations in the upstream of the Suzu River and one location in the midstream of the Kaname River. Birds, vegetation, aquatic life, and water quality were monitored at each of these locations. As a result of the monitoring it was observed that in terms of vegetation there were many exotic species such as giant ragweed and bur cucumber and that there had been a significant decrease in native species, that there was a relatively rich abundance of aquatic life, and that there was an abundance of birds, particularly waterfowl. A workshop was held and it was decided the exotic species would be pulled out and that the river banks would be cleaned during 2014. Furthermore, because the plant is close to Tokyo, there are plans to conduct training on biodiversity conservation activities for head office employees.

Biodiversity conservation activities for FY2014

• Measurements of transparency

  

• Bird observation

  

• Japanese eel

  

• Japanese mitten crab

  

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YTMT　

The plant is located within a large industrial complex in Rayong Province east of Bangkok, Thailand. Preliminary surveys for Step 0 were conducted during 2013. As a result, it was found that the plant was 100% dependent on the company managing the industrial complex for water intake and discharge, that it would be difficult to conduct activities focused on water, and that the natural environment on the premises was limited as the location was surrounded by factories. Many insects (dragonflies, butterflies) were observed on the premises and there are plans to conduct the main survey for Step 2 during FY 2014 to confirm the impact on the ecosystem found in green spaces on the premises. Because many overseas plants are located in areas similar to the location of YTMT, it was decided that this plant would serve as a model for biodiversity conservation activities for overseas plants.

• Blackspot

  

• Common emigrant

  

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YTRC　

The plant is in Surat Thani in the south of Thailand, in an area surrounded by natural rubber plantations and palm plantations. The raw materials of natural rubber from rubber plantations is processed into bales here and subsequently delivered to tire plants. The Tapi River flows adjacent to the plant and supplies the water used by the plant. A closed system has been adopted for the use of this water in which water is cleaned through sedimentation in a settling reservoir on the premises after use for rubber cleaning and then used repeatedly as cleaning water. For this reason, there are multiple large settling reservoirs on the premises. Various insects and birds were observed at the edges of these reservoirs in the preliminary surveys conducted in 2013. In addition, it was confirmed that because water flows into these reservoirs from the Tapi River, various types of fish had entered the reservoirs. We will proceed to Step 2 in 2014.

• Capturing fish with a net in a clean lake

  

• Capturing red cheek barb

  

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