(original article : Nikkan Sports Special Edition, 2024/11/23・24)
Tour of the Suntory Mineral Water Northern Alps Shinano Forest Factory in Omachi, Nagano
Morita Hikaru (23) of Sakurazaka46 learned about the process that goes into making the "Suntory Natural Mineral Water" that she drinks every day. She enjoyed the magnificent nature at the "Suntory Natural Mineral Water Northern Alps Forest Factory" and realized the importance of water through various experiences.
She also raised her awareness about the importance of "Water Positive!" [a slogan made by Suntory], in order to nurture water and forests for the future. During the photoshoot, she made her way smoothly over a mountain path with poor footing and reached the Natural Water of Chi river. While walking through the forest, she had an unfortunate encounter with a frog, which she doesn't like, but she took a deep breath of fresh air and showed a relaxed smile.
Such an everyday thing
Suntory Natural Mineral Water can be found in vending machines, supermarkets, convenience stores, and many other places in our daily lives. "It's the water I drink almost every day," said Morita with a smile when asked during this tie-up interview. "I almost always have it ready in my house. It’s such an everyday thing to me, so I was very surprised and happy when I heard about the offer."
The factory is the 4th source of Suntory Natural Mineral Water, following the Southern Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture, Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, and Oku-Daisen in Tottori Prefecture.
Strict quality control is carried out in an environment surrounded by the great outdoors of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. In order to protect the water source, maintenance and conservation of the forest in the surrounding area that is approximately 441 hectares in size (about 90 times the size of Tokyo Dome) is also being carried out.
"That’s really fast!"
The process that goes into making the product and also the production line were introduced during the factory tour. Suntory uses groundwater to produce their Natural Water. It takes more than 20 years for the rain and snow that falls in the forest to be refined underground and become delicious natural water. "I learned this for the first time and it really surprises me. The water I'm drinking now is from when I was about 2 or 3 years old. I'm sure there are many people who don't know this," she said.
Upon seeing the high-speed machine that produces about 1,000 550ml plastic bottles per minute, she exclaimed, "That's really fast!" out of amazement. She also learned about the manufacturing process for plastic bottle containers. "They're made by pumping air into a metal mold. I didn't know that even though it's something that I can see around me every day," she said with her eyes lit up.
"Sunny Girl" power
Afterwards, the location changed to the terrace where a panoramic view of the Northern Alps that is also depicted on the product label. The moment Morita is standing by to take the scene where she’s about to give sip of the Natural Water, the sun peeked through the gaps in the snow, surprising all the staff with the demonstration of her "Sunny Girl" power.
Then she went to stroll along the footpaths on the premises, surrounded by the majestic nature of the Northern Alps, and along the pure waters of the Chi river. "I was really looking forward to visiting, but now that I’m here it was much larger than I had imagined, and I’m amazed to find out a place that is very rich in nature," she said. She also walked through the "Green Walking Trails" and the "Blue Tunnel" on the premises. "The blue cave-like area was really beautiful and impressive," she said. "The place is open to the public during the factory tour, so anyone who comes should give it a visit too."
Encounter with a frog that she dislikes
During the photoshoot, she encountered a frog that she dislikes and let out a small shriek like, "Waa~!" Even so, she said, "I'll do my best!" without leaving the spot and instead striking a pose with a smile, displaying her professionalism.
She learned the process on how Natural Water is made and experienced the environment in which it is nurtured. "We can easily purchase Natural Water now, but finding out that it takes about 20 years to make really changed my impression about it". Looking back through the day, she said, "I was able to get a renewed sense of the importance of water. Thinking about the future, I think we need to be conscious of how we use water in our daily lives."
I want to dance with everyone
In correlation to the Natural Water that needs 20 years to be nurtured, we asked her to imagine how Sakurazaka46 would become after the next 20 years'. "I will be... 43 years old! Surely I don't think I'll be in the group anymore," she said with a laugh. "I often think about the future of Sakurazaka, but I've never really thought about it 20 years into the future. It’s such an interesting thought, and I'd be happy if the group is still around for another 20 years."
Related to the release of the group’s 10th single this October, "During the release of the 100th single, I'd like to gather all the current members and alumni together and dance," she suggested. Just like how Natural Water needs to be nurtured over the course of 20 years to become delicious, Sakurazaka46, along with Buddies (fans), will also take their time to nurture a future full of laughter.
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