On March 14, 2018, a signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by five organizations consisting of Taro Fisheries Co-op, Iwate Co-op, Co-op Tohoku Sunnet business federation, Co-op Kobe and Japanese Consumers’ Co-operative Union (JCCU) on tree planting funds initiative through Masaki Wakame (Masaki Seaweed) was held.

This tree-planting fund will be used to support the effort of ongoing tree planting activities by Taro Fisheries Co-op, with the aim of leaving a clean sea in the future.

Tree planting activities supporting Taro Fisheries Co-op by consumer co-ops started from Iwate Co-op’s “Sanchoku” initiatives in Miyako district of Iwate Prefecture. For years, Co-op Kobe had had exchanges with Taro Fisheries Co-op through CO・OP Brand Products to deepen relationship with the production areas.

Also Iwate Co-op has approved the funding efforts for "Sanchoku Wakame" as the co-op’s activity. Co-op Tohoku Sunnet business federation has also decided to raise funds through the home delivery business for this initiative.