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Ricoh Ena Forest certified as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures by Ministry of Environment, Japan

October 10, 2023

TOKYO, October 10, 2023 – Ricoh Company, Ltd., (Tokyo, Japan) Ricoh today announced Ricoh Ena Forest, Ricoh owned forest in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, has been certified as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM) by the Ministry of Environment (MOE), Japan. This certification is part of MOE's fiscal 2023 OECM certification system.

Located on the premises of a plant operated by Ricoh Elemex Corporation, a manufacturing subsidiary of the Ricoh Group, Ricoh Ena Forest is rich in biodiversity with more than 40 hectares. It is home to more than 300 species of plants, including endangered species and rare insects. Ricoh started its forest conservation as an employee volunteer activity on this site in 2010 driven by the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10) held in Nagoya, Japan. In 2014, aiming to utilize the precious forest resources together with the local community, Ricoh launched the Ena Forest Nakasendo Satoyama Council, which consisted of representatives from local residents' association and businesses, nonprofit organizations, and Ricoh. In addition to forest maintenance activities, the Council has been expanding its scope including nature observation events and creature monitoring activities. Today, the Forest has become a place where children and students from elementary school up to university learn about nature in a variety of ways.

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Ricoh Elemex provides precision parts, industrial equipment, copier peripherals, and LP gas-related equipment that embody “precision processing technology.”

Ricoh Ena Forest's long-standing biodiversity conservation activities, which it has undertaken together with local residents, were highly recognized through this OECM certification. OECM is MOE-led initiative in Japan, based on the G7 2030 Nature Compact at the G7 Cornwall Summit in June 2021, that stipulates that the G7 nations to lead by example, conserving or protecting at least 30% of their land and coastal and marine areas by 2030 (30by30). The OECM certification system was launched this year. The Ricoh Group has been participating in 30by30 Alliance for biodiversity since its establishment in Japan in April 2022 and actively engaged.

While protecting local rare species such as Luehdorfia japonica and Nannophya pygmaea, Ricoh will promote activities to create a beloved forest that is rooted in the community. It aims to realize a “nature positive” and “zero deforestation” society, preventing the loss of biodiversity and putting it on a recovery track. Ricoh is working to understand biodiversity risks and reduce the environmental impact of our business activities through collaboration with various stakeholders, while maintaining and improving the Earth's regenerative capacity.

Nature observation event at Ricoh Ena Forest

Luehdorfia japonica

Nannophya pygmaea

30by30 Alliance for biodiversity


| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimize business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh's global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2023, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,134 billion yen (approx. 16.0 billion USD).

It is Ricoh's mission and vision to empower individuals to find Fulfillment through Work by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realize a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

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