◆Overview

Implementation of Synecoculture on the rooftop of Fuji Television Network, Inc. (Fuji Television) Wangan Studio was supported by SynecO. Over the courses of 17 months, approximately 40 kinds of useful plants were harvested, contributing to revitalizing employee communication, and providing relaxation.

From the front left: Ms. Ema Saito (Wangan Studio; staff), Ms. Aya Okamura (Wangan Studio; staff), Mr. Shota Tsutsumi (Wangan Studio; staff), Mr. Kiwame Ebihara (Business Innovation Promotion Department; director (at the time)), Mr. Toshio Muroi (Business Innovation Promotion Department; staff)

◆Background

Under the motto “Storytelling for a Better Planet”, Fuji Television is engaged in activities aiming to create a sustainable society, creating beautiful cities while paying attention to global environment to create a symbiotic society where no one is left behind *1. As a part of these activities, Synecoculture was implemented on unused space on the rooftop of the Wangan Studio with the support of SynecO. Expectations were to provide a place for children of tomorrow to learn about material circulation, and to explore the potential for utilizing abandoned farmland.

◆Change

Based on the maintenance advice provided by SynecO, energetical introduction of seeds and seedlings and active farm management were carried out, resulting in harvest of approximately 40 types of useful plants from the launch in March until August of the following year. It also has been confirmed that the ecosystem of the area and the adjacent rooftop green space has been enriched. The harvests were utilized among the employees and acquaintances, and communication has been activated by sharing the harvests. Relaxation obtained through work on the Synecoculture area and joy gained from watching plants grow also contributed to the well-being of participants as a “cultural service” provided by the ecosystem.

While I was considering the effective use of the rooftop of the Wangan Studio, I happened to see a special feature on Synecoculture on TV. I wanted to try it out and contacted SynecO in November 2023. From then on, in January 2024, SynecO preliminary investigated at the rooftop of the Wangan Studio, and at the end of March of the same year a trial farm had started.

I discovered positive events such as "seeds germinating," "seedlings blooming," and "bearing fruit," and negative events such as "seedlings not germinating," "withering," and "not fruiting," and I was healed and worried and became completely involved. I also took on the challenge of growing tomatillos, a vegetable essential to Mexican cuisine, and although the harvest was small, I felt a sense of accomplishment from being able to reap some fruit. In the early days particularly, I contacted SynecO as soon as something happened, and even though I was nervous about the slow growth, SynecO responded politely each time. I can only express my gratitude.

Since then, I have been blessed with collaborators little by little, and I am now involved with 4 other colleagues.

One of them commented, "The vegetables we harvested have a rich yet gentle and nostalgic flavor. Even though I had never cooked before, I started making stews and even bought decorative plates, enriching my home cooking life.”, and "A group chat with five people, talking about watering or harvesting tomatoes, is soothing." I feel that more positive chemical reactions are occurring than I expected.

We will continue to aim for expansion while maintaining the farm slowly and steadily, without rushing.

Kiwame Ebihara, Director of the Business Innovation Promotion Department, General Affairs Bureau, Corporate Headquarters, Fuji Television Network, Inc. (at the time)

◆Services related to this case

[Harmonization between economic activities and renewable natural capital]

  Consulting services for Synecoculture Field Implementation

[Improve ecosystem literacy]

  Workshops, Lectures and Seminars

*1 フジテレビのサステナビリティ (Link written in Japanese.)

*The content in the page is current as of the date of the interview.