On June 6, with the cooperation of JA Tajima and Toyooka City, we held an educational event in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, for our employees and their children to learn about “Stork Natural Rice,” the Oriental White Stork, and nature.
We organized this event based on our desire to promote the value of “Stork Natural Rice“ globally through its export. We believed that the first step to achieving this was for us to deeply “know” and “learn” about it ourselves.
On the day of the event, we began by learning about the efforts to reintroduce the Oriental White Stork into the wild at the Oriental White Stork Cultural Museum, where we were able to observe the storks up close.
Next, we deepened our understanding of the rice by tasting “Stork Natural Rice” cooked in a traditional kamado (wood-fired stove) and touring a cold storage facility for the rice.
Finally, we conducted a wildlife observation in the rice paddies. We discovered a wide variety of living creatures, such as tree frogs, catfish, and shrimp, allowing us to experience firsthand how countless lives are interconnected.
While striving to reintroduce the Oriental White Stork—a species that once went extinct in the wild in Japan—Toyooka City grows “Stork Natural Rice“ without relying on chemical fertilizers or pesticides, coexisting with diverse wildlife. This event provided a meaningful and enjoyable opportunity for both adults and children to think about the preciousness and interconnectedness of life.
Building on this valuable experience, we will continue to share the appeal of “Stork Natural Rice“ both domestically and internationally, and promote coexistence with a rich natural environment.
■ For more details about “Stork Natural Rice” and Toyooka City’s initiatives, please visit the websites below:
Stork Natural Rice | JA Tajima
Toyooka, Living with the Oriental White Stork (Toyooka City)