Mitsui, which owns and manages 74 forests within Japan accounting for 0.1% of Japan's territory, wanted to promote the importance of the use of thinned wood and stimulate interest in forests along with promoting the International Year of the Forest 2011.

To symbolise that life is created in forests, laser cut-outs of endangered animal figures were produced from thinned wood from Mitsui's forests. The animal figures were designed so people looking at them could picture them living in the forest, feel the warmth of natural wood and feel at peace by smelling the fragrance of cypress. In other words, they would appeal to people's senses of sight, touch and smell. On the back of the figures are engraved the Mitsui company logo and the message “Made from thinned wood from Mitsui's forests”. Thus, they also serve publicity and branding purposes.

Pasted 4000 wooden figures on the walls of the underground passage so commuters would be able to take them off and back to their offices or homes. The wooden figures ran out of stock instantly before the rush hour ended.It was featured in the newspaper and also spread through blogs. These figures were subsequently given as presents through newspaper advertisement, CSR Forest Environmental Program, delivering environmental lessons to elementary schools and they became a very important and symbolic item.