In 1873, the Group’s predecessor, Shoshi Kaisha, was established. At the time, the raw materials used were the rags of used clothes collected in urban areas. Recycling valuable resources and delivering products to society is the wellspring from which the Oji Group was founded. Thereafter, the Group started to manufacture paper from wood resources to meet growing demand. The Oji Group’s forest plantation business began around 1893 in the Tenryu River basin in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Ginjiro Fujiwara, who served as the company’s president from 1920, advocated “those who use trees are responsible for planting them.” Drawing its motivation from these words, the Oji Group has continued to strengthen its forest plantation business. The trees that we plant blossom into lush forests that nurture clean water and air, provide habitats for a variety of organisms, prevent landslides, and bring well-being to people.
Long before the word “sustainable” became mainstream, the Oji Group engaged in the development and maintenance of businesses deeply rooted in forest resources. I strongly believe that these business activities, grounded in “sustainable forest management” and the “circular use of renewable resources” are the mainstay strengths of today’s Oji Group. I am convinced that in continuing to follow this path, we can make a significant contribution to the realization of carbon neutrality, nature positivity, and circular economy.

In 2022, we codified our Purpose, clarifying our commitment to “grow and manage the sustainable forest, develop and deliver the products from these renewable forests, and Oji will bring this world a brighter future filled with hope.” Against this and the backdrop of an extensive history since our founding, I feel we have ample potential to dedicate ourselves to a sustainable future by bringing extremely important value through coexistence with the environment and society going forward, and to solve environmental problems on a global scale, or simply put, to make a significant contribution to the earth and its future by continuing to do what is often taken for granted.

How can we make the most of the potential of forests? Please keep your eyes on the future of the Oji Group.

Representative Director of the Board
President and CEO
Oji Holdings Corporation
Hiroyuki Isono