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Honda Trading's Strategic Investment in Mori Agri

On June 2, 2026, Honda Trading Co., headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, finalized a stock transfer agreement with Japan Forest Co., based in Hita, Oita. This deal involved the acquisition of shares in Mori Agri Co., a subsidiary of Japan Forest, marking a significant step towards building a robust partnership aimed at promoting sustainable forestry practices.

Strengthening Sustainable Forestry Initiatives

Through this investment, Honda Trading aims to enhance collaboration with Japan Forest and Mori Agri, specifically focusing on bolstering the production infrastructure for saplings that supports the sustainable utilization of forest resources. The company intends to leverage its extensive expertise and networks to facilitate the creation of Green Transformation (GX) related projects originating from forestry resources, contributing to a carbon-neutral society.

The leaders of the respective companies, Katsuto Hayashi from Honda Trading and Kazuhiro Moriyama from Japan Forest, were instrumental in initiating this collaboration, signifying their commitment to addressing significant social challenges such as reforestation and circular utilization of forest resources. This investment aims to address urgent issues facing the forest industry, including effective reforestation post-logging and the enhancement of sapling supply systems.

Addressing Social Challenges

In recent years, the importance of reliable reforestation, strengthening sapling supply structures, and circular utilization of forest resources has become more pressing in Japan. The automotive sector is also increasingly focusing on decarbonization across its supply chains and the adoption of renewable energy solutions. Using its business acumen and global networks, Honda Trading aims to spearhead initiatives that tackle these societal challenges and foster GX-related businesses.

Mori Agri specializes in producing fast-growing tree saplings, which are crucial for establishing a secure reforestation infrastructure. Notably, ensuring a stable supply of saplings is essential for the future quality and quantity of forest resources. In addition to wood biomass utilization, a reliable reforestation framework post-harvest is critical for sustaining forestry resources over time.

Integrating Expertise for Sustainable Practices

Honda Trading's investment brings together the wealth of knowledge from Japan Forest Group's biomass and forest-related businesses and the sapling production capabilities of Mori Agri. This synergistic integration is anticipated to foster a comprehensive approach to nurturing, utilizing, and regenerating forest resources. By combining the strengths of all parties, Honda Trading aims to drive impactful initiatives in GX and decarbonization sectors.

Future Prospects

Moving forward, Honda Trading envisions a collaborative pathway with Japan Forest and Mori Agri that encapsulates an integrated model for cultivating, utilizing, and regenerating forest resources. This approach aims to establish a framework for circular utilization from sapling production to the regeneration of forest resources while spearheading projects aimed at achieving GX and decarbonization goals.

Company Overviews

Honda Trading Co., Ltd.

• - Location: 4-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, Akihabara UDX South Wing 18th Floor
• - Representative: Katsuto Hayashi, President & CEO
• - Business: Procurement/supply of raw materials, parts, equipment, vehicles, and some processing and manufacturing of raw materials.
• - Established: March 1972
• - Website: Honda Trading

Japan Forest Co., Ltd.

• - Location: 2813-22 Morotome-cho, Hita, Oita, Japan
• - Representative: Kazuhiro Moriyama, President
• - Business: Biomass power generation, production business, climate and environmental systems, and mountain forest projects.

Mori Agri Co., Ltd.

• - Location: 2813-22 Morotome-cho, Hita, Oita, Japan (within Japan Forest Co., Ltd.)
• - Representative: Katsuaki Isayama, President
• - Business: Production of saplings focusing on fast-growing species, agriculture, and forest-related businesses.