Japan Celebrates 15 years of kenaf

Japan Celebrates 15 Years of ケナフ.

京都 Kyoto

October 14, 2005

ケナフ= Kenaf

The commemorations theme, “Humans, dream a green dream!” was very fitting. Kenaf based blue jeans and “Kenafy” sport shirts, soaps, dyes, and composite board for cabinetry and flooring were all on display. Paper companies, power companies, and various manufacturers all displayed products and research.

American Kenaf Association Director, and Vision Paper President, Thomas Rymsza, is shown seated with the visionary pioneers of kenaf in Japan. Seated to the right of Rymsza, is Professor Emeritus Dr. Hiroshi Inagaki a leading proponent of the environmental benefits of kenaf, and a very dear friend of Vision Paper.

Other speakers and dignitaries featured were Mr. Ishimatsu Kitagawa, Former Secretary of Environment Agency,
Japan, Hikaru Kobayashi, Director of the Earth Environment Department, Ministry of Environment, Prof. Yoshinori Yasuda, International Japanese Culture Research Center.

Toyota put on a very impressive display with its advanced fuel technology personal vehicle, which uses kenaf fibers in the body, flooring and dash. These pictures were taken at the conference. For more information about Toyota’s “green machine” concept cars, do an internet search using Toyota and kenaf as keywords.

Paper Now in Japan exhibit

A highlight of our visit to Kyoto was the private tour of the “Paper Now in Japan” exhibit at the Kyoto University, arranged by Dr. Inagaki.

The different paper sculptures and large format art prints and the technically advanced products were quite impressive.

Dr. Inagaki informs us that this sheet of paper, at 5 grams per square meter, is the thinnest paper in the world.

Kenaf at the Kyoto Botanical Gardens

While walking along the eastern side of the "Gardens" property, we spotted a small experimental plot of kenaf inside the fence.

The Garden was not yet open to tour, but we'd recognize those white early morning kenaf flowers anywhere