About Aiya's activities
We are actively engaged in environmental initiatives
>Nishinomachi Forest Biotope >Environmental Initiatives >Awards
［Environmental Policy］
We strongly take cognizance that environmental conservation is the top-priority issue of all humanity. We attempt to continuous reduction of environmental burden in our business activity and aim to conduct business with consideration for conservation of soundness of global environment.
- Attempt to conserve environment with the community to fulfill the social responsibility.
- Recognize the limitations of resources and energy, efficiently use them, promote savings and recycling, reduce environmental burden and prevent the pollution.
- Prevent the environmental risk which may leads to environmental pollution and health hazard caused by chemicals and waste.
- Restrain sewage, noise, and dust from each process and prevent the pollution in compliance with related environmental legislation and regulations.
Aiya Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President Takeo Sugita
［Food loss and waste reduction policy］
Aiya Co., Ltd. strives to reduce food loss and waste by utilizing raw materials without wasting them, ensuring proper management in each process from manufacturing to shipping.
Aiya Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President Takeo Sugita
［Environmental Activities］
We think about the environment in various ways, not just the tea leaves needed for matcha, and are working to protect the environment, such as creating biotopes to preserve, cultivate, and coexist with the rich natural environment.
Satoyama area
Chinju no Mori Zone
Satoyama area
Four Seasons Flower Forest Zone
Satochi area
Akikusa zone
Satochi area
Spring grass zone
Satochi area
Farmland zone
Satochi area
Lake/wetland zone
Nishinomachi Forest Biotope Construction
We are working to protect the local natural environment by creating a 1,000 tsubo (approx. 3,300 ㎡) “Nishinomachi no Mori” biotope.
A biotope is a space created by restoring an ecosystem that has been lost due to industrial development or urbanization, making it a habitat for the creatures that originally lived in that area.
This movement, which started in Germany and other European countries, has spread to Japan, and various initiatives are being taken by national and local governments, schools, NPOs/NGOs, and companies in various regions.
Aiya Co., Ltd. is also committed to contributing to the protection of the natural environment through the “Nishinomachi Forest”.
The natural environment that is disappearing in the region
We aim to create and preserve “satochi/satoyama environments” where people and nature coexist, and to realize a society in harmony with nature (SDGs Goals 14 and 15).
In forest management, we avoid the use of artificial chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, etc.) as much as possible, and in principle limit the introduced species to those that inhabit and grow in the Yahagi River basin*1, in order to conserve biodiversity. We take into account.
*1: From the perspective of environmental education, some of the tree species planted are horticultural varieties.
Utilization policy
Creation of habitat and growth space for living things
It will integrate with the nearby Yahagi River to the west, surrounding shrines, and rice fields, contributing to the formation of an ecological network.
Providing environmental education and a place for health and rest
We provide people with environmental education, conservation activities, and a place for health and relaxation in urban areas where nature is decreasing.
Ex situ conservation of rare species
We will continue medium- to long-term maintenance and management under our own management, and use it as a conservation (gene bank) for rare species.
Raw materials purchased from farmers are used without wastage.
Tea leaves picked at tea plantations are steamed and dried to become rough tea.
After going through various processes from rough tea and removing the stems and veins, it becomes tencha, the raw material for matcha.
The stems and powder produced during this process are used as stem tea and powdered tea, respectively.
In addition, the matcha that is scattered during the manufacturing process is swept up and reused as fertilizer for the tea plantations.
In this way, Aiya Co., Ltd.'s manufacturing process uses purchased raw tea leaves without wasting them, and has a system in place to recycle them for future production.
Organic tea farm, Rainforest Alliance Certified tea farms
At Aiya Co., Ltd., we purchases tea from organic tea farms that do not rely on pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and Rainforest Alliance Certified tea farms that meet sustainable agricultural standards, while also taking into consideration the environmental impact.
Click here to learn more about Rainforest Alliance Certified
Mangrove planting activities
From 2001 to 2015, we engaged in mangrove planting activities to preserve the global environment.
Aiya Co., Ltd.’s tree planting results
1st 2001 Republic of the Philippines Palawan island Total 6,300 trees
2nd 2003 Kingdom of Thailand Ranong Total 12,300 trees
3rd 2005 Republic of Indonesia Lombok Island Total 4,200 trees
4th 2007 ingdom of Thailand Ranong Total 13,000 trees
5th 2009 Malaysia Kota Kinahal Total 5,000 trees
6th 2011 Republic of Indonesia Bali Island Total 5,700 trees
7th 2013 Republic of the Philippines Mahanai Island Total 7,800 trees
8th 2015 Socialist Republic of Vietnam Kan Gia Total 17,700 trees
Awards
2019年
Received the Aichi Service Award “Special Award”
In order to improve the productivity of the prefecture's service industry, Aichi Prefecture is recruiting businesses that are proposing advanced services and awarding excellent success stories with the Aichi Service Award.
Aiya Co., Ltd. received a special award for opening an “experience-based matcha specialty museum” where you can enjoy matcha with all five senses, and greatly contributing to the promotion of the regional brand “Nishio Matcha”.
2017
Selected as a “Regional Future Driving Company” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Aiya Co., Ltd. has been selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a “Regional Future Driving Company” as a core company that will play a leading role in the region.
The reason for this selection is that matcha production takes advantage of regional characteristics to create high added value, brings economic ripple effects to local businesses, and strongly drives regional economic growth.
2016
Received the “Japan Gift Award/Aichi Award”
The “Japan Gift Award” was established to create gifts of various shapes and to support deep emotional exchanges between Japanese people.
The revitalization of gifts not only embodies the warmth that resides in the hearts of the Japanese people and increases the joy of both recipients and givers, but also enriches Japan's culture and industry.
Aiya Co., Ltd. won the “Aichi Prize” for its “Matcha Baumkuchen and Tea Assortment”, which is given to only one product in each prefecture.
2015
Received the “Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director’s Award” (Grand Prize) at the “100 Year Company Award”
The 100-year company award focuses on the management philosophy of long-lived companies that have been in business for over 100 years, and aims to recognize excellent companies that serve as role models for other companies in the region and contribute to local employment, tax revenue, etc. Established.
Aiya Co., Ltd. was awarded the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director-General's Award, the equivalent of the grand prize, at the first 100-Year Company Awards in recognition of its early pioneering of the matcha market as a raw material for food processing since the 1960s. received the award.
2014
Selected as one of the “Global Niche Top 100 Companies” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
In order to quickly respond to recent changes in the industrial structure and changing needs, it is necessary to have a high global share not only in large companies and major industry groups, but also in niche fields and to conduct excellent management. Strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises is required for the Japanese economy as a whole.
Aiya Co., Ltd. was selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as one of the “Global Niche Top 100 Companies” in recognition of our track record of securing a high global share in the matcha field.
2007
“41st Good Company Awards” Excellent Company Award
The “Good Company Award” was established to develop Japan's small and medium-sized enterprises by selecting companies from all over the country that have achieved excellent economic and social results and widely publicizing them.
Aiya Co., Ltd. received the “Excellent Company Award”.
This award is given to companies that have achieved particularly remarkable results in the fields of management innovation, technology development, market development, and distribution reform, and have demonstrated significant performance over the past three years. This award is given to outstanding companies equivalent to the Grand Prix in 7 regions nationwide(*).
* 7 regions･･･Hokkaido/Tohoku, Kanto, Hokuriku/Koshinetsu, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku/Shikoku, Kyushu/Okinawa
2007
Selected as one of the “300 Vibrant Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The “300 Vibrant Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises” is a selection by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry that plays an important role in increasing interest in the manufacturing field, especially among young people.
In 2007, Aiya Co., Ltd. was selected as one of the 300 companies in recognition of its advanced matcha manufacturing process.
