Japan’s first butterfly forest project launches in Tochigi Prefecture

aobagumi inc. and the global table tennis equipment manufacturer Butterfly has launched a forest restoration project titled Butterfly Forest in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. It’s the first case in Japan where butterfly conservation and habitat regeneration are integrated into every stage of the commercial forestry process. This project in Tochigi Prefecture aims to balance economic timber production with the restoration of local biodiversity.

The decline of butterflies in Japan has reached a critical point, with approximately one-quarter of the country’s 240 species now listed on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List. These butterflies are vital pollinators, and play a fundamental role in maintaining ecosystems. Their disappearance threatens the survival of specific plant species and threatens degradation of the environment that supports human agriculture and disaster resilience. Traditional forestry has also often prioritised economic efficiency, frequently overlooking the specific habitat requirements of such insects.

The Butterfly Forest project re-engineers the forestry lifecycle to address these ecological needs. Working with the local logging operators, the partners conduct thorough biodiversity surveys before any work begins. The design of forest work roads specifically considers butterfly flight paths, while the selection of trees for retention focuses on preserving the Fumoto-mizunara, a rare oak species that serves as a primary food source for rare butterflies such as those in the Lycaenidae family.

Following the logging of cedar trees, the project will not only plant new saplings but also establish dedicated grassland areas. These open spaces are essential for butterfly breeding and feeding but are increasingly rare in modern Japanese forests. The grasslands would ensure a continuous habitat for local insect populations.

aobagumi intends to use this project as a model for corporate investment in natural capital. The company will continue monitoring butterfly populations and vegetation, with a public tree-planting event scheduled for the spring of 2026.