Removal of invasive species and environmental improvement

Starting with the removal of invasive species that were threatening the original ecosystem, the project created an environment in which trees suited to the land could grow, selecting trees suited to each region, primarily olive trees, and planting seedlings. Since 2004, a total of 1,500 UNIQLO and GU employee volunteers have been working alongside local elementary and junior high school students and soil experts to remove invasive species and improve the land's environment. The barren, jungle-like land has been redeveloped to the point where you can see the ocean.

Tree selection and planting

In the past, when people talked about "cherry blossom viewing" in Teshima, they weren't talking about cherry blossoms, but rather about Kobano Mitsuba Azalea. Despite being so beloved by locals, their numbers have been declining because the seeds are very small and difficult to grow. So, Okayama University is now cultivating the seeds into seedlings, which are then left at a local elementary school for a year, where they are watered daily. After a year, the healthy seedlings are planted in developed land, becoming part of the beautiful natural scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.

Leadership Development Program

In 2009, the Setouchi Olive Foundation began working on the issue of large amounts of trash that had sunk to the seabed with the cooperation of four fishing cooperatives in Takamatsu City. In response to the worsening problem of marine plastic waste, the foundation launched a full-scale project in 2019. As there are many environmental groups interested in the ocean in the Seto Inland Sea area, the foundation has begun training leaders to promote the project in order to join forces and spread the word about it as a larger initiative.

Holding of "SpoGOMI"

In 2020, the sports litter collection event "SpoGOMI" was held in Imabari City, Okayama City, Uwajima City, Takamatsu City, and Shodoshima Island. In 2021, the Setouchi Olive Fund also participated in "SpoGOMI x UNIQLO," held in Takamatsu, and participants received a gift of olive oil. In Takamatsu, a study tour to Teshima was held for university students, who learned about the reality of the worsening marine litter problem in the Seto Inland Sea.

A long-awaited harvest

Olive trees prefer well-ventilated, dry land, and if they are not managed with specialized knowledge, they will quickly become diseased and wither. Local residents and secretariat staff worked together to look after the olive trees, with guidance from Kagawa Prefecture, and finally, 10 years after planting, they began to produce a stable harvest of fruit.

Olive oil commercialization

Teshima is now able to harvest about 3 tons of olives per year. The harvested olives are pressed into oil by the locals themselves. The olive oil produced is used for food, as well as for beauty oils and soaps, and is sold to tourists at Teshima's souvenir shops. Extra virgin olive oil harvested in the fall of 2021 is currently on sale.