TOKYO, Japan, June 3, 2024 – Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, joins local non-profit Mirai no Mori to offer learning opportunities and hands-on forestry experience to marginalized children from care homes in Tokyo.
Twelve FedEx volunteers and nine children engaged in various tasks to maintain a healthy forest in an area that had been neglected for about fifty years in Takao, western Tokyo. Working in teams, the children and volunteers removed wild vines that impede tree growth and created footholds along the mountain slope to allow for easy access during conservation work, using the cut vines and fallen trees. They also pruned branches to help trees grow. These activities enabled the children to gain a better understanding of the local forest environment. The FedEx volunteers also shared their knowledge on the importance of protecting wildlife, as well as insights on sustainability and conservation.
“By inspiring young people to adopt a mindset that encourages sustainability, our volunteers are helping to create what’s next for the new generation in Japan,” said Kei Alan Kubota, managing director of FedEx Express Japan. “This program offers new learning experiences to children and provides an opportunity for our team members to see impact in the local communities. This is a part of our commitment to deliver positive change around the world, including the communities where we live and work.”
In Japan, approximately 23,000 children live in care homes.[1] This forestry experience program provides empowering experiences and learning opportunities for these children through outdoor activities in a natural environment. The activities are designed to equip the children with essential life skills that will help them forge their own paths after they leave the care system at age of 18.
The company’s support to this forestry program is part of the FedEx Cares global community engagement program underpinned by the FedEx culture value of “Committing to Do Good.” Progress in key areas of FedEx corporate social responsibility initiatives, including pillars such as Community Engagement, Global Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Logistics can be found in the FedEx Cares website.
FedEx has recently issued the 2024 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, which outlines its latest achievements and advancements toward its ESG strategies, objectives, and initiatives. The report also highlights the company’s commitment to ESG leadership in the transportation and logistics industry and reflects dedication to its core values and goals.