As part of a global reforestation project being undertaken
by the company, an array of key Yokohama executives and
other employees will be planting 500 new trees Dec. 3 at the
tire maker’s facility in Fullerton, Calif.
Officials expected to take part include Yasuo Tominaga,
chairman emiritus of the Yokohama Rubber Co.; Takao Oishi,
president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corp.; and Dan King,
Yokohama's vice president of sales and marketing.
They will be toiling under the guidance of world-renowned
ecologist Dr. Akira Miyawaki, professor emeritus at Yokohama
National University.
Miyawaki, winner of the 2006 Blue Planet Prize awarded for
outstanding achievements in scientific research and its
application, is known for his theory of “potential natural
vegetation,” or restoration of a habitat’s indigenous
vegetation in accordance with its natural conditions. He has
helped reforest more than 1,500 locations worldwide,
including efforts to restore tropical rainforests.
The overall “Yokohama Forever Forest” project intends to
plant 500,000 trees at its 18 global factories prior to the
company’s centennial celebration in 2017. Forever Forest
events have taken place in Japan, the Philippines and
Thailand, with 180,000 trees having been planted thus
far.
The trees being planted in Fullerton are to beautify the
area and help offset carbon dioxide emissions. Some 150
people are expected to participate.
This is the second Forever Forest event in the U.S.; last
year the company planted numerous trees at its facility in
Salem, Va.
For more information visit www.yokohamatire.com.
