“Environmental initiatives centered on coexistence with nature—such as biotopes, eco-roads, and eco-cities—are gaining attention. Environmental Indicator Organisms Co., Ltd. is a group of experts whose core business involves conducting surveys of local vegetation and ecosystems, planning, and environmental assessments necessary for such initiatives. Although it is a relatively young organization—having been established 10 years ago with an average employee age of 27—it has accumulated a wealth of experience and earned high acclaim.

"Environmental initiatives centered on coexistence with nature—such as biotopes, eco-roads, and eco-cities—are gaining attention. Environmental Indicator Organisms Co., Ltd. is a group of experts whose core business involves conducting surveys of local vegetation and ecosystems, planning, and environmental assessments necessary for such initiatives. Although it is a relatively young organization—having been established 10 years ago with an average employee age of 27—it has accumulated a wealth of experience and earned high acclaim.
We spoke with Tatsuya Shinzato, the company's president, about the current state of environmentally sustainable projects. President Shinzato, who has demonstrated his capabilities in environmentally sustainable projects for the Ministry of Construction, has been an insect enthusiast since childhood and majored in entomology in both undergraduate and graduate school. After graduation, he worked at a landscape architecture firm for seven years, where he was in charge of environmental assessments.
Landscape firms are fundamentally driven by the concept of garden creation, focusing on the orderly planting of trees and visual aesthetics. At that time, this approach was the mainstream in environmental assessment; surveys and evaluations were not rooted in biological vegetation or similar factors. "Through collecting insect specimens and conducting field surveys, I could feel firsthand that continuing with conventional development would inevitably lead to the collapse of ecosystems.
"As I observed actual environmental assessments, I became convinced that an era demanding biological assessments was bound to come, and that I could make a living through environmental consulting." Thus, Environmental Indicator Organisms Ltd. was established in 1987, when President Shinzato was 29 years old. He started the company with three colleagues who had also been conducting survey work at corporations and research institutions.
Initially, the company's core business focused on environmental assessments for public works projects—such as roads, dams, and large-scale housing developments—as well as private golf courses and resort construction. Since the company was founded in the midst of the economic bubble, we weren't always able to take on the projects we wanted. However, as we steadily built up our track record, the tide of the times began to turn. "The Rio Earth Summit and the bursting of the bubble drastically changed the landscape of regional development.
At the Earth Summit, there were some who questioned how far the government would actually implement Agenda 21, but I believe the current progress is advancing rapidly, beyond my expectations." Specifically, various projects being promoted by the Ministry of Construction—such as "Hometown Rivers," "Eco-Roads," and "Eco-Cities"—can be seen as initiatives stemming from the momentum of the Earth Summit. Our company is also undertaking the research and planning for these projects.
Starting with an understanding of the local ecosystem, the company's know-how and expertise are fully utilized in determining the types and quantities of plants to be planted, how to modify the riverbed, and how to create habitats for small animals. "The Ministry of Construction has cast a wide net but lacks concrete ideas.
We're taking the initiative to actively propose ideas. It's true that people who have spent their entire careers in civil engineering tend to think that planting trees simply means 'street trees will do.' However, the trend is clearly shifting toward prioritizing ecosystems, so officials have no choice but to educate themselves. It's become much easier to work with them compared to the past." The legalization of environmental impact assessments is also a tailwind.
The expected legalization of environmental impact assessments next fiscal year will also be a tailwind for the company. "Conventional environmental impact assessments had some ambiguity in their evaluation criteria, and there were cases where environmental protection groups criticized them, saying, 'It's just a formality.' Legalization will create opportunities for dialogue with NGOs and citizens, and these issues will likely be corrected.
"I don't think legalization will bring about drastic changes immediately, but I believe it is a significant step toward change." Currently, the company's main business involves conducting impact assessments for development projects and creating environmentally harmonious spaces such as biotopes. President Niizato predicts that, in addition to these, a market will emerge focused on how to maintain and conserve existing natural environments. Specifically, it will become necessary to establish standards that allow for the quantitative evaluation of natural environments.
One such standard is the compilation of the Red Data Book, a project currently being undertaken by the Environment Agency to catalog species on the brink of extinction. It is expected that the compilation of the Red Data Book will spread to local governments across the country. Another key element is understanding the habitat status of biological species. Currently, while the status of species like the golden eagle is relatively well-known, there are many species—such as dragonflies and plants—whose exact distribution is not yet accurately understood.
"If we can grasp their habitat status, it will become clear what conservation measures are needed, and this data will serve as the basis for creating laws and regulations. We need to formulate and implement countermeasures as soon as possible as a national initiative before these species go extinct." The time has finally come for President Shinzato, who foresaw ten years ago that "environmental consulting from a biological perspective will be necessary in the future," to take the lead.