Nice to meet you. My name is Takano, and I am from the General Affairs Group of the General Affairs and Human Resources Department at SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP Inc. Today, I would like to introduce the “Sunny Midorigaoka 1-chome Greening Project” that I am in charge of.

■ Concrete Jungle Tokyo

Ten years have passed since I, who was born and raised in a place surrounded by nature, began living in this city. Recently, I have finally grown accustomed to the inorganic environment of this town, yet I still cannot get used to the smell of asphalt dust that hangs in the air after an evening shower. I hear some people actually like it, though.
Perhaps I am seeking nature somewhere. Another version of myself asks that question as I take my eyes off the PC screen and find myself captivated by the trees of Shinjuku Gyoen spreading outside the small window frame.
“I wish there were more nature inside the office.”I believe that is how it all began.

■ Now is the Time to Change the Status Quo

One morning, I arrived at work with those thoughts in mind. When I casually glanced at the plants near the entrance, I saw a row of greenery where every single plant had only a few leaves hanging apologetically. Their parched, splintered branches stood there vacantly, with an air of resignation.

“Maybe I should start by changing things here.”
Changing something is never easy. Naturally, greenery is no exception. To get a proposal approved, one needs quantitative evidence strong enough to convince others. However, when you think about it, explaining the benefits of introducing plants quantitatively is surprisingly difficult. That said, it was also a fact that things could not remain as they were. So, armed only with documents featuring photos of the withered trees, I burst into the office of Etsuko Kokubo, President and Representative Director of SUNNY SIDE UP.

“President! The plants in the office are in terrible condition. It would be better to have none at all than to have them like this.”I had burst in without an appointment, prepared for the worst, but the words Kokubo spoke to me were unexpected.

“You’re right. Why don’t you look into it?”

“Wait… did that just get approved?”I felt as though I could faintly hear the sound of the gears starting to turn.

■ What is the Sunny Midorigaoka 1-chome Greening Project?

The “Sunny Midorigaoka 1-chome Greening Project” began with surprising ease. As mentioned earlier, all the plants installed in the office were on the verge of death, but they hadn’t been that way from the start.

Around November 2020, when our company underwent a large-scale office renovation, approximately 100 pots of foliage plants of various sizes were placed throughout the premises. However, by the end of the first year, the 100 pots had dwindled to 50. Six months later, those 50 became 20, and eventually, even those 20 withered away completely.

The Sunny Midorigaoka 1-chome Greening Project aims to break through this situation and create a green-filled office where members can find peace of mind.

■ A Turbulent Start

Just when I thought the project was off to a smooth start, it suddenly faced a major crossroads: whether to “rent” or “purchase” the plants. The future direction would change significantly depending on this choice. We were forced to make a momentous decision that would truly affect the future of the organization.

■ Our Dark Trauma Made the “Rental” Option Shine

The advantage of renting is that professionals come by for regular maintenance. For our company, which carries the guilty past of having withered 100 pots of plants, this benefit seemed extremely attractive. It was a natural progression for many members to lean toward the rental option.

They voiced their opinions one after another:
“Even if we buy them, we’ll just end up letting them die again.”
“There’s nothing more pathetic than repeating the same mistake.”
“We might as well just rent everything.”

“The logic of the rental supporters is perfectly sound; let’s go with renting.”
I must have decided that many times, yet my heart simply wouldn’t allow it. The reason was that I couldn’t get the image out of my head of that shop, where rows of vibrant plants were raised by the hands of true artisans.

■ FUGA: A Collective of Artisans

Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. The shop is located in the middle of a metropolis far removed from nature. Its name is FUGA. Established in 1994, this shop is a group of professionals who have remained at the forefront of the industry for nearly 30 years. One reason they continue to reign at the top of many florists is the extremely “paradoxical” concept rooted in FUGA.

“Flowers and plants are not necessities. However, it is precisely those things that are not necessities that enrich one’s life and soul. That is what we aim to convey.”

Normally, one might think that things which are not necessities could not possibly enrich one’s life or soul. However, FUGA clearly rejects that notion. And FUGA asks: if flowers and plants do not enrich life and the soul, then why are people so drawn to them?

■ A Fateful Encounter with Mr. Fujita

An encounter with Mr. Fujita of FUGA, who cherishes such concepts, changed our destiny. It was when I first visited the shop with Kokubo. After exchanging business cards with Mr. Fujita, who had a slender build and a somewhat aloof air, his demeanor completely transformed the moment we asked for an explanation about the plants.

As if they were his own children. To the point where I cannot help but use that cliché, Mr. Fujita spoke joyfully and sometimes earnestly, telling the stories of each individual plant in his own words. What he shared was never a generic, one-size-fits-all explanation; consequently, his words captivated everyone who listened. Neither Kokubo nor I were exceptions. Two people who normally have a large gap in their titles as President and staff member transcended that barrier and turned into innocent children before a single plant.

In the taxi on the way back, when I happened to glance at Kokubo sitting next to me, I don’t think I was mistaken in thinking she had a slightly reluctant expression, as if she were sad to leave.

■ The Moment of Decision

Looking back now, I believe the decision had already been made the moment we visited the shop.It was simply that we hadn’t put it into words yet.

“Let’s buy them from FUGA.”

When Kokubo first spoke those words, a firm resolve to see the implementation through sprouted within me.
The road to delivery was not straightforward. Describing how to navigate through difficult challenges from a coordinator’s perspective is one of the highlights of SUNNY DAYS, but I will save that for another time.

■ One Thing is Certain

Introducing plants costs money. Doing so does not increase operating profit. In a world where everything is measured quantitatively, it is very difficult to explain the benefits of introducing plants that are not necessities. However, one thing is certain: seeing the plants has definitely fulfilled and enriched the hearts of our members. Although it cannot be measured easily, there is some kind of meaning there.

Placing value on things that cannot be quantified.
The plants may have taught us something important that is often forgotten.

Thank you for reading this far.
Finally, I will conclude for now by introducing our new plants.I look forward to the day I can see you all again.

■ The Shape of Individuality

This plant is located at the entrance, the face of the office. Although it is not large in size, its presence, almost overflowing from the pot, is remarkable. It grows in the direction it most desires. From its appearance, one can feel the strong will and way of life of the leaves and stems.

■ Afternoon in Havana

Strong, searing gin and Latin music heard in the distance. An afternoon in Havana where the sun shows its last bit of defiance before dusk. People dream for a fleeting moment under large leaves that block the sunlight. This plant was installed based on that concept. It is characterized by large leaves that are about as tall as a person.

■ Un petit café?

An office where many team members come and go. A moment when colleagues who have seen each other’s faces but never spoken happen to find themselves across the same standing table. You would like to say something. However, being inarticulate, you may wonder what to talk about. In such a case, why not use the greenery placed on the table as a conversation starter? Communication has always begun with the smallest things.

■ In the Midst of a Bustling Office

While watching members rush back and forth, this plant quietly and steadily fulfills the role it has been given. Stripped of all flashiness and decoration, this simple yet sophisticated plant teaches us the demeanor of a true adult. One does not become an adult simply by aging. One becomes an adult by continuing to refine oneself. I felt a little embarrassed for thinking I had already become an adult.