Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Factory has been awarded the 4th Kumamoto Environmental Grand Award under Kumamoto Prefecture's environmental commendation system, and received the award from Governor Kimimori on June 29 (Mon). This program honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and creation. It consists of the Kumamoto Environmental Award, established in 1992, and the Kumamoto Environmental Grand Award, which is presented once every four years to previous recipients of the Kumamoto Environmental Award as the highest honor. This time, our factory has received the 35th Kumamoto Environmental Award (Kumamoto Recycling Society Award), marking the first instance of simultaneously receiving both the Kumamoto Environmental Grand Award and the Kumamoto Environmental Award. Notably, our factory previously received the Kumamoto Environmental Award (Kumamoto Mizu no Kuni Award) in 2015 and the Kumamoto Environmental Grand Award in 2018. Opened in 2003 in Kashima Town, renowned for its high-quality water, Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Factory uses groundwater from Mount Aso and currently operates as a hybrid beverage and alcoholic drinks manufacturing facility, producing a wide range of products including mineral water, soft drinks, and beer. Committed to conducting business while preserving Kumamoto's rich groundwater and natural environment, the factory has been actively engaged in sustainability initiatives as a unified group. In the area of water resources, beyond advanced water intake and discharge management and water quality control at the factory, the facility has continued initiatives such as the 'Suntory Natural Water Forest' project and winter flooding of rice paddies※ for over 20 years, contributing to watershed conservation. These comprehensive watershed-wide efforts have been recognized through the achievement of the Platinum level of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification—the highest international certificati