On 18 February 2025, the Second AEON SATOYAMA Forum was held at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan to discuss the satoyama model for sustainable living and biodiversity conservation. It showcased innovative solutions stemming from collaborative efforts between Japanese universities, local communities, local governments and the AEON Environmental Foundation — a member of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI), whose secretariat is hosted by UNU-IAS.
Opening the session, Yuriko Yamamoto (Executive Director, AEON Environmental Foundation) reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and the importance of revitalizing satoyama — traditional Japanese landscapes where people and nature have coexisted for generations through harmonious interactions between human activities and the environment, fostering sustainable practices. Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS) underscored that satoyama embody traditional knowledge and practices that have been passed down for generations, demonstrating that humans can thrive while safeguarding the natural resources they depend on.
The forum featured a case study from Aya Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, showcasing its organic farming practices and community-led satoyama restoration initiatives. Since 2013, the foundation has worked in Aya Town alongside universities to create and regenerate forests, promote organic farming and use bees to pollinate local citrus orchards. A panel discussion explored the benefits of organic agriculture, such as fostering healthy pollinator populations, and innovative approaches to engage younger generations in satoyama conservation.
Experts from Japanese universities and UNU-IAS discussed research initiatives and on-the-ground practices in satoyama landscapes and seascapes. Rina Miyake (Programme Coordinator, UNU-IAS) introduced the work of IPSI, a global network that promotes areas which balance biodiversity with the sustainable use of natural resources, known as socio-ecological landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS). She emphasized the role of cross-border collaboration in addressing socio-ecological challenges, and highlighted how UNU-IAS fosters partnerships to promote knowledge-sharing and innovation for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The event concluded with a panel discussion on the future of satoyama, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical consumption and youth engagement to ensure long-term sustainability.
The forum was hosted by the AEON Environmental Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Environment of Japan and UNU-IAS.
