The original garden was made in Sofia Zoo Park in 2006-2008 by the Japanese volunteer Suemaco Toro. Due to lack of resources, Sofia Zoo Park had not maintained the garden and it had lost its initial looks and was closed for visitors. Takeda renovated the garden, following the original design of Suemaco and it is now open again. As part of the renovation we planted traditional Japanese plants and the available ones were refreshed. Thus, from abandoned and hardly accessible area, the place turned into a beautiful green spot with specific atmosphere. This project is, besides investment in environment, evidence for the deep connection of Takeda with Japanese culture and part of our contribution to the Japanese community in the country.

Target audience is the general public and all visitors to the zoopark - citizens of Sofia and all its guests. At the same time, the garden is contribution to the Japanese community in the country. We reach the target audience quite naturally – the location of the garden makes it accessible for everyone who would like to enjoy its beauty.

Takeda as a Japanese company deeply recognized the project and committed to both initial renovation and consequent maintenance of the garden in the long term. The company plans to expand and develop more supporting elements of the garden in 2022.

• Identifying the need for renovation of the Japanese garden as part of the corporate social responsibility policy of Takeda in relation with environment investment I society and connection with Japanese community; • A series of meetings with Sofia Zoo and identifying the appropriate contractor for completion of the work • Setting up a special working group to design and implement the project with each of our partners - Sofia Zoo, Team of landscape architects specialists, Sofia Municipality. • Press conference and interviews around opening of the garden; • TV, radio, press and online coverage of the project • Event dedicated to Japanese Culture in front of the garden, organized by the Embassy of Japan • Long-term partnerships with various institutions and organizations have been formed.

Creating a place in nature where one can feel in harmony with the environment, peace, comfort and tranquility - this is the symbol of the Japanese Garden. • In 2021, despite COVID-19, the project was successfully implemented and recognized by the Embassy of Japan • hundreds of people visit the garden every day • the garden helps every day huge number of zoo visitors to feel the harmony and beauty and last but not least, improves the urban environment; • long-term partnerships with various institutions and organizations have been formed.