JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Junko Bannai, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in volunteer activities in Kumamoto to help burn the fields in Aso.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
The majestic and beautiful mountains of Aso, visible from the windows of Aso Kumamoto Airport during takeoff and landing, have been protected by people for more than a thousand years.
Aso noyaki, or wild fires in Aso, is a traditional event that heralds the beginning of spring in Kumamoto.
By burning the fields once a year in early spring, we maintain beautiful grasslands, prevent global warming by fixing carbon stored in the ground, protect valuable grassland ecosystems, and serve as Kyushu’s water reservoir by storing rainwater in the soil.
However, the area of grasslands has been reduced by about half over the past 100 years due to various factors, including a lack of manpower to engage in wildland firefighting. It has been suggested that another 60% may be lost in the next 30 years.
Japan Airlines and Aso City signed a partnership agreement in March 2023 to protect the grasslands of Aso together, and are working to create and expand the population involved.
As part of this effort, we recently planned and conducted a volunteer tour for JAL Group employees to support wildland firefighting.
–How are you involved in this effort?
The tour lasted two days and one night. Eighteen JAL Group employees from various occupations gathered from the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Kansai region, and Kyushu, and I was one of the participants.
On the first day at the Aso Grassland Conservation Activity Center, the participants learned how local people have protected the grasslands of Aso and why they should protect them, and then learned how to use fire extinguisher sticks and jet shooters (equipment to extinguish fires using a pump with a water bag on its back).
On the second day, we worked with local volunteers to support field burning in the grasslands of Aso (4.5 ha). Wildland burning is greatly affected by the weather. On this day, it was difficult to start a fire due to frost, but thanks to the well-honed senses and skills of those who have been involved in wildland firefighting for many years and who were able to read the wind and conditions, we were able to successfully start a fire. The straw-colored grassland turned completely black. We were careful with a fire extinguishing stick to prevent the fire from spreading.
I felt that this work was very similar to the work of flight attendants, who as security personnel always pay attention to what is going on in the cabin.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
This was the first time for us to plan and conduct a volunteer tour to support wildland firefighting, and the JAL Group plans to continue this activity so that the beautiful grasslands of Aso can be preserved for years to come.
The blackened grasslands of Aso mark the end of winter, and within a month or so, they are quickly replaced by fresh greens.
The vitality of those who protect the grasslands is the utilization of the grasslands.
In the grasslands of Aso, which will be in its best season from now on, visitors can experience various activities such as trekking, boltering, and e-bike rides on the grasslands.
Grasslands are essential for enjoying activities, and Aso Green Stock is seeking volunteers to help protect these grasslands by burning them in the field.
–What is your message to travelers?
Aso’s gourmet food is aka-gyu (red beef).
The grassland landscape of Aso is also maintained by having red cows grazing in the grasslands of Aso graze on the delicious grass.
Because Aso red beef is grazed on vast grasslands, it has no excess fat, is moderately marbled, and is rich in flavor components, giving it a very juicy taste.
It is said that eating 100 grams of red beef will lead to the preservation of about 4.5 tatami mats of grassland in Aso.
There are also many hot springs in Aso.
Uchimaki Onsen, one of the hot springs in Aso, is rich in iron, which helps relieve fatigue and leaves the skin smooth after bathing. There is also a hot spring where you can see the famous sea of clouds of Aso while soaking in the open-air bath.
How about Kumamoto for your spring trip?
© Source travel watch
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