Launch of the 2nd Phase of 'TASUKI Project' Challenging Biodiversity Evaluation with the Next Generation

Focus Systems Corp., under the sponsorship of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. and in collaboration with various partners, launched the second phase of the 'TASUKI Project' (hereinafter 'this project') on May 9, 2026. This project challenges the next generation to evaluate biodiversity.

[Project Overview]

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), 69% of global biodiversity has been lost over the past 50 years*1, and the economic loss is estimated to reach 44 trillion dollars*2. In response, initiatives such as the international goal to conserve at least 30% of land and sea areas by 2030 (30by30)*3 are underway, accelerating the movement toward realizing a Nature Positive*4 world.

However, methods for evaluating and managing biodiversity are not yet established, and the challenges remain in verification within actual environments and the development of next-generation talent responsible for sustainable efforts.

Therefore, in this project, junior high and high school students, who are the next generation, will take on the challenge of evaluating the biodiversity of rivers and forests by utilizing environmental DNA technology*5 and sound analysis technology*6.

Furthermore, through these research and investigative activities, the project aims to develop human resources who can recognize the richness of nature and take action, while deepening their understanding of the connection between the natural environment and human society.

In the first phase of activities conducted from May 2024 to March 2026, a total of four schools located in the Tama River basin in Tokyo and around Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture conducted water area surveys using environmental DNA analysis. The results were reported to local inland water fisheries cooperative associations and to junior high and high school peers domestically and internationally.

In the second phase starting now, the activity field will be expanded from water areas to land areas. A total of four schools in the Kanto and Nobeoka areas will evaluate river biodiversity using environmental DNA analysis, while two schools in the Kanto area will evaluate forest biodiversity using sound analysis evaluation.

Project Name TASUKI Project

Concept Living with the earth, passing on richness

Research Period May 2026 - December 2027

Organizer Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

Partners ASAHI YUKIZAI CORPORATION, Focus Systems Corp.

Technology Partners Hylable Inc., FISHPASS Inc., Fukui Prefectural University Regional Cooperation Center, Ryukoku University Biodiversity Science Research Center

Sponsorship Nobeoka City / Nobeoka City Board of Education

Participating Schools in the Project Urawa Jitsugyo Gakuen High School, Nobeoka City Kitagawa Junior High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Tachikawa High School, Ibaraki Prefectural Tsuchiura First High School, Miyazaki Prefectural Nobeoka High School, Waseda University Honjo Senior High School

Interim Results Presentation Science Castle World 2026 Saturday, December 12, 2026 (Planned) *Website: TASUKI Project

[State of the 2nd Phase Kickoff Event and Networking Session]

[Comments from Constituent Organizations]

Organizer Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

It is difficult to resolve global challenges such as maintaining and improving biodiversity through the efforts of a single company. Leave a Nest believes it is important to have a system where companies, ventures, universities, and others form an alliance and tackle issues as a team. Moreover, to pass on a rich earth to the future, it is essential to involve the next generation as partners. Through this project, together with the next generation, we will verify the process of implementing university-developed technologies into society, and advance the creation of mechanisms to realize 'the development of science and technology and contribution to the earth.'

Partner ASAHI YUKIZAI CORPORATION

The TASUKI Project is an initiative that turns the nature of Nobeoka into a classroom. As a hub for industry-government-academia collaboration, our company will join forces with schools, local governments, and universities to create a virtuous cycle of learning and community. We believe that today's learning will foster the talent who will shoulder the future of Nobeoka.

Focus Systems Corp.

We believe that ideas on what to combine with IT are crucial for resolving serious social issues. In the second phase, we will expand the field from water to land and integrate new technologies such as sound analysis. We are convinced that the expansion of the domain will enable multifaceted evaluations and lead to the creation of value in visualizing the natural environment. We expect that the free thinking of the next generation and corporate technology will come together, and new discoveries will become a force to protect the future of the earth.

Technology Partner Hylable Inc.

Our company, with roots in frog chorus research, operates a business analyzing human conversation and biological audio utilizing our core technology of sound environment analysis. We have been advancing 'Project Dolittle,' aiming to talk with animals, with Focus Systems and Leave a Nest. We look forward to utilizing KoeTurri, which our company developed, in this project. Like a frog straddling aquatic and terrestrial environments, we will engage in efforts with junior high and high school students to more deeply understand diverse organisms.

FISHPASS Inc.

We at FISHPASS, rivers connect