Kochi is Japan's most forested prefecture with forests covering 84% of its total area. However, about 65% of this is manmade Japanese red-cedar and hinoki cypress forest planted following the Second World War, and the decline of the local forestry industry means they are not being managed, creating problems such as weakened water retention functions and soil runoff. This situation has resulted in several conservation initiatives, such as Kochi becoming the first prefecture in Japan to introduce a forest environment tax, and increased interest in the forests' CO2 absorption functions has led to the advancement of activities in partnership with corporation through the Collaborative Forest Restoration with Environmentally Progressive Companies initiative. The Mitsui & Co. Shikoku Branch embraced the spirit of this initiative and became the first partner company to participate. It is also sending staff from the branch and other group companies on activities such as tree thinning experiences in order to create environmentally aware workplaces.