Biodiversity Biodiversity

The Advantest Group's Guidelines of Action for Biodiversity

To show our gratitude for the gift of nature created by biodiversity, and to recognize the significance of biodiversity in supporting the prosperity and the wellness of our society, the Advantest Group will carry out initiatives in conserving biodiversity and in contributing to the sustainable use of biological resources.

1. Understanding Environmental Impact
   We identify, evaluate and share information on any aspect that may have a significant impact on biodiversity in the entire lifecycle of our business activities.
2. Understanding Biodiversity
   We increase awareness and understanding of biodiversity among all employees so that they are able to engage in activities that give consideration to biodiversity in their business activities and daily lives.
3. Reduction of Environmental Impact
   By seeking highly effective measures, and by carrying them out continuously, we reduce the impact of our business activities on biodiversity.
4. Cooperation with Stakeholders
   We cooperate with a variety of stakeholders such as the government, educational organizations, NPOs, local residents and our business partners to promote activities related to the conservation of biodiversity.

Biotope

Current biotope

Biotope at the time of establishment

Reflecting our commitment to living in harmony with nature, Advantest established a biotope eco-park in Gunma R&D Center in 2001 with the aim of helping to recreate the original, natural landscape of the Kanto Plain, a landscape that is being lost to development. This biotope is the largest of its kind established by any private company in Japan.

Advantest's biotope provides a venue in which Advantest employees can learn about the importance of protecting the global environment; the biotope is also used as a way to foster communication with local residents. About 20 years have passed since the establishment, and the biotope now has an optimal environment for preserving the local ecological system and is playing a great role in protecting and growing threatened species. In addition, Advantest's biotope provides an ideal environment for achieving an SDG target, "Goal 15: LIFE ON LAND".

* Biotope: The word comes from the German words "bio" (living organisms) and "tope" (a location).

• Advantest's biotope

At the biotope in the Gunma R&D Center, Advantest has been exploring and protecting animals and plants, growing plants, and eliminating alien species under the guidance of Gunma University since 2001. Advantest is also protecting and growing bonesets and floating hearts, which have been designated as near threatened species by the national government and as threatened species (IA) by Gunma Prefecture.

With regard to boneset, there are only five places where it grows naturally in Gunma Prefecture, one of which is Advantest's biotope. Advantest has been continuing these protection and growth activities for many years, which have led to the creation of an environment that enables the stable natural growth of bonesets.

With regard to floating heart, there is only one place where it grows naturally in Gunma Prefecture, and Advantest's biotope has been used as an evacuation shelter since 2012, where floating hearts grow steadily.

Moreover, from fiscal 2019, Advantest implemented emergency protection measures for native Amsonia ellipticas, which were specified as a threatened species (IA) in Gunma Prefecture, and started protection and cultivation activities for them.

• Boneset
• Floating heart
• Amsonia elliptica

Hosting the Biotope Forum

In September 2019, Advantest hosted the “Third Biotope Forum”. This forum has been held annually since 2017, with participation from businesses, organizations and research institutes in Gunma Prefecture that actively pursue the conservation of biodiversity.

On the day of the forum, a professor from Gunma University who supervises Advantest’s biotope gave the keynote speech, introducing our company’s 18-year history with the biotope as a pioneering example. Furthermore, the Advantest biotope manager made a presentation on biotope management methods and plant and animal monitoring tests. The forum saw participation from two companies and an NPO that own biotopes in the prefecture, playing a major role in creating an opportunity for exchanging information with stakeholders.

Hosting Nature Observation Events in the Biotope

Advantest has been holding nature observation events for elementary schools located near its sites by using the biotope as a venue for communicating with surrounding communities, and 2019 marked the 15th anniversary of the commencement of these activities. A total of 2,068 people have participated so far.

In fiscal 2019, about 70 children and parents from two neighboring elementary schools took part in our nature observation event. On the day of the event, employees specializing in staff training and employees with biotope management qualifications provided information on the biotope, and the participating children enjoyed nature as they looked for wildlife such as butterflies and dragonflies at the biotope. They also fished for crayfish at the biotope pond to reduce the number of non-native species such as American crayfish, which encourages them to consider the importance of biodiversity. We plan to continue this activity with cooperation from the community going forward.

Conservation Activity to Protect Japanese Red Pine Trees at the Advantest Laboratories

Within the grounds of the Advantest Laboratories Ltd. facility (in Sendai City, Japan), there are approximately 70 naturally-growing Japanese red pine trees, which are about 110 years old and grow to a height of around 30 meters.
This Japanese red pine grove was designated a Protected Forest by Sendai City Government in 2007. To help ensure the maintenance of a rich natural environment, Advantest is working to conserve these Japanese red pine trees and the creatures that live in and around them, with activities such as injecting necessary agents into the trunks and trimming the grassland.

Forest conservation activity at the national forests of Mt. Akagi “Advantest Reiwa Woods”

Every year since 2007, Advantest has been conducting forest conservation activities. In 2019, Advantest concluded an agreement with the Gunma District Forest Office to use an area in Mt. Akagi for conducting its activities and named the area “Advantest Reiwa Woods”. Conservation activities include pruning unnecessary branches with saws to bring in more light into the forest, and installing nets on trees to prevent deer from eating tree barks. Furthermore, lectures from experts on wildlife damage and countermeasures were held, boosting employee awareness towards protecting a healthy forest.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Advantest records and assesses the environmental burden on the area surrounding its business establishments, such as office waste water, in accordance with ordinances and pollution control agreements.
In addition, we are managing plants and cultivating biotope at our business establishments while considering biodiversity.