Tokyo's Forests to Become Corporate Classrooms: Two Cities and One Town Launch 'TOKYO Sustainable Tourism' Project with LNTJ

©️TOKYO Sustainable Tourism

"Leave no trace, sow seeds for the future."

In response to long-standing issues such as abandoned barbecue waste and persistent campfire scars in the natural areas just an hour from central Tokyo, local operators have transitioned from simple cleanup activities to a more fundamental solution: environmental ethics education. They realized that the key to preservation is not just picking up trash, but increasing the number of visitors who do not litter in the first place.

This led to the adoption of "Leave No Trace (LNT)," an international environmental ethics program used in over 100 countries. Following Ome City’s initial regional cooperation agreement with LNTJ in 2023, the initiative expanded to Akiruno City and Okutama Town. By 2024, the leaders of these three municipalities held a joint symposium to solidify their collaboration.

The "TOKYO Sustainable Tourism" project was established to create a self-sustaining system. It aims to cultivate local "instructors" who can teach LNT principles to visitors, businesses, and children, while generating economic circulation through corporate training programs.

The TOKYO Sustainable Tourism Council will hold a research meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. This session will bring together local operators, advanced corporations, and academic institutions to develop specific programs for monitor tours scheduled for autumn.

This initiative aims for "circular" community development, where a portion of the revenue from corporate training is reinvested into training LNT instructors and providing environmental education for local children.

Event Overview Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 13:00–17:00 Venue: Furea Itsukaichi (440 Itsukaichi, Akiruno, Tokyo) Organizer: TOKYO Sustainable Tourism Consultative Council Partners: Tama University, Persol Tempstaff Co., Ltd., Tosei Electrobeam Co., Ltd., and others.

Program Highlights 1. Keynote Speech: Real-world perspectives on talent development in precision technology industries. 2. Panel Discussion: Exploring new learning spaces in Tokyo's mountainous regions for the era of sustainability management. 3. Workshop: Developing regional-specific programs for the Ome, Akiruno, and Okutama areas.

Key Figures Available for Interview: - Yuichi Matsumoto (Professor, Tama University): Expert in social marketing and regional revitalization. - Daigo Shibata (Director, LNTJ / Ome City): Professional athlete and leader in river cleanup initiatives. - Ken Takamizu (CEO, do-mo / Akiruno City): Pioneer in regional resource-based experiential tourism. - Masaki Numakura (CEO, Trekling / Okutama Town): Outdoor enthusiast creating new ways for people to engage with nature.