About Founder

John Gathright

As a child, I often climbed trees in the park. Soon after I came to Japan, I saw “No Tree Climbing” signs in parks and wondered, “Where do Japanese children climb trees?” You never forget the feeling of climbing a tree and touching it with your own hands. The impact trees have on people and society is immeasurable.

In April 2000, I founded TREE CLIMBING® JAPAN and opened Japan’s first Tree Climbing® school that anyone can enjoy. With the motto “Let’s make friends with trees,” we began to spread tree climbing in familiar natural places, such as Japan’s satoyama woodlands and trees in parks.

I also founded the Arborist® Training Institute, a school for professionals who care for trees, and have continued to expand it.

As people dedicated to protecting trees, we provide tree climbing techniques and specialized equipment, with Tree Climbing at the heart of everything we do.

We develop and sell specialized equipment for safe work, create environments where people can enjoy tree climbing safely, and train instructors. We will keep working tirelessly so that these efforts lead to a better future for the next generation of children and to a sustainable society.

Tree Climbing World Co., Ltd.
John Gathright

When most people look up at a tall tree, they see a beautiful living thing, a source of oxygen and shade; I also see hope, freedom, and courage. I believe that, in many ways, trees are our friends, teachers, and even emotional doctors. A primary focus of our company is to inspire and nurture a greater appreciation for trees and the people who care for them. 
Tree Climbing World was founded with the principles of Social Entrepreneurship. In 1997, I met a fabulous Japanese Lady, Toshiko Hikosaka, who dreamt of leaving her wheelchair to climb the World’s largest tree, a Giant Sequoia. From that day forward, a small group of dedicated people and I spent three years inventing adaptive gear and climbing skills to help her dream come true. We founded Japan’s first technical tree climbing school for people of all abilities, Tree Climbing® Japan, in 2000. 
 In the summer of 2001, Toshiko’s dream came true when she climbed 78 meters to the top of the World’s fifth largest tree. 
The need for safe healthy trees for tree climbing events led us to create  the Arborist Training Institute® (ATI 2002).  We soon learned that there was a very profound need for safe and affordable tree climbing gear in Japan. Out of the desire to create, invent and distribute the safest and most innovative tree climbing and arborist tools possible.
 In 2003 we amalgamated our tree related efforts and established Tree Climbing World ltd. (TCW) 
Through the help and support of so many passionate people, our company has grown into the largest manufacturer and importer of tree climbing and arborist gear in Japan. 
TCW has helped hundreds of thousands of people of all abilities and backgrounds safely climb trees for recreation, nature education, rehabilitation, and therapy. 
Our Arborist Training Institute has also trained and certified thousands of Japanese arborists (Jugoshi®) who work diligently to care for and preserve trees.
TCW is more than just a company but also a community of tree-friendly people helping to make our communities a better place, One Climber and One Tree at a Time.

Tree Climbing World Co., Ltd. President/ Founder

■Profile

Born in 1962 in Oregon, USA, John spent his childhood in British Columbia, Canada, as the eldest of eight children in a family of ten. A pair of geta (Japanese wooden sandals) he found on a beach as a child sparked his interest in Japan. In 1985 he came to Owari-Nagoya, home of the three great unifiers of Japan, whom he had long admired. He studied Japanese in Nanzan University’s Japanese language program, transferred into the university’s third year in 1991 and graduated in 1993. In 2007 he completed his doctorate at Nagoya University’s Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences with research on therapy through Tree Climbing®, earning a Ph.D. in Agriculture. He married a Japanese woman in 1993 and has a family of four. He lives close to nature in a treehouse he built from recycled miso barrels in a forest in Seto, Aichi Prefecture.

He is the pioneer who introduced recreational tree climbing, a safe way of climbing trees with ropes and specialized equipment, to Japan. In 2000 he founded Tree Climbing® Japan, the organization from which today’s Tree Climbing World Co., Ltd. grew, and has devoted himself to promoting tree climbing and training instructors. He also led the world’s first climb of an 80-meter giant sequoia in the United States with a physically challenged climber, and the climb succeeded.

The aim of promoting tree climbing is to let people experience nature from a new perspective, up in the trees, to protect forests, and to leave a rich planet for the next generation. The work has been recognized internationally. It was featured in Smithsonian Magazine and chosen as one of the programs of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan. He also began importing tree climbing gear from around the world, developed original gear and launched the TREE PRO® brand. In 2021 he established the TAKUMI Workshop in Japan and started domestic production.

At Chubu University he teaches the course “Looking at Education,” which teaches future school and nursery teachers why the teacher’s role matters. At the university’s graduate school, he teaches tree climbing to applied biology students to train future canopy researchers.

He is also committed to training professional Arborists® (Jugoshi®) and to spreading safe work techniques in the landscaping and forestry industries. He gives lectures in Japan and abroad at environmental education events, arboricultural society events and more.

Dr. John Gathright, a Social Entrepreneur, holds a Doctorate of Bio-Agriculture from Nagoya University. He founded “Tree Climbing® Japan (1997), Japan’s first technical tree-climbing school. Tree Climbing Japan has grown into a national organization with over 6,000 certified tree climbers who have helped over 400,000 people of all abilities to climb trees.
 Gathright has conducted extensive research into the physiological, psychological, and societal benefits of purpose-specific tree-climbing and tree-assisted therapy programs.. Gathright, a pioneer and leader on the subject established TreeHab® – Tree Climbing Therapy® and Tree-Assisted Therapy®.
In addition to Tree Climbing and TreeHab activities, Dr. Gathright created the Japan Arborists Association- an ISA affiliated Organization, Giant Sequoia Preservation Project, and the Arborist Training Institute of Japan. When not climbing trees, Gathright can be found lecturing about the topic as a Professor at Chubu University or sharing his expertise at events and conferences around the globe. 

■　Public Roles

  • Board Director, ISA (International Society of Arboriculture): May 2014 – July 2018; re-elected August 2019 – present
  • Representative, Tree Climbing® Japan / Chairman, NPO Tree Climbing Japan: 2001 – present
  • Professor, Chubu University: 2008 – present
  • Visiting Professor, Shigakkan University: 2006 – present
  • Director, AEON 1% Club Foundation: 2021 – present
  • Member, AEON ECO-1 Grand Prix Judging Committee, AEON Co., Ltd.: 2020 – present
  • Councilor, Christel Vie Ensemble Foundation: 2013 – present
  • Member, Kao “Minna no Mori” (Forests for Everyone) Judging Committee, Kao Corporation: 2012 – 2020
  • Tree Climbing Instructor, Samoa Forest Conservation Project, Japan International Cooperation System (JICS): 2012
  • Member, Tourism Quality Standards Study Group, Chubu Region Institute for Social and Economic Research: 2010 – 2018
  • Member, “Chikyu Ikimono Ouendan” (Biodiversity Supporters), Ministry of the Environment: 2010 – present
  • EXPO Ambassador, Expo 2005 Aichi Volunteer Center: 2008 – present
  • Traffic Safety Campaign Leader, Community Safety Division, Aichi Prefecture: 2008 – 2009
  • Member, Broadcast Program Council, Nagoya Broadcasting Network: 2007 – 2009
  • Member, Screening Committee for Morizo & Kiccoro Appearances, Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition: 2006 – 2008
  • Member, Urban Landscape Council, Seto City, Aichi: 2006 – 2011
  • Producer, “Growing Village” nature experience program, EXPO 2005 Aichi: 2004 – 2005
  • Part-time Lecturer, Tokyo University of Agriculture: 2005 – 2006
  • Honorary President, Satoyama Academy, Higashishirakawa Village, Gifu: 2005 – 2010
  • Member, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens Revitalization Committee, City of Nagoya: 2005 – 2010
  • Founding Member, National Council for Beautiful Forest Development, National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization: 2007 – present
  • Advisory Committee Member, One by One Children’s Fund: 2004 – present
  • Member, Growth & Education Program Council, Chuo Shuppan: 2001 – 2009
  • Member, Nagoya Environmental University Planning Committee, City of Nagoya: 2003 – 2004
  • Member, Chubu Odan Expressway Promotion Council, Express Highway Research Foundation of Japan: 2003 – 2004
  • Member, Citizens’ Council for Creating Education in Seto, Seto City Board of Education: 2001 – 2004
  • Part-time Lecturer, Gifu Academy of Forest Science and Culture: 2001 – 2002
  • Expert Member, Preparatory Council for the 27th National Tree Nurturing Festival: 2001 – 2003
  • Long-standing Member, ISA (International Society of Arboriculture)
  • Member, ICAN (International Canopy Network)
  • Full Member, CAPNA (Child Abuse Prevention Network Aichi)
  • Member, IFTA (International Family Therapy Association)
  • Member, ChildFund; Full Member, Make-A-Wish Japan (MAWJ)
  • Full Member, Japan Habitat Association
  • Full Member, ChildFund Japan (NPO)
  • Full Member, Japan Ankylosing Spondylitis Association
  • Member, Japan P.E.N. Club
  • Member, Seto Tsubaki Society

■　Education

  • March 1993: Graduated from Nanzan University, Faculty of Business Administration
  • March 2007: Completed the doctoral program in Biosphere Resources Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University. Ph.D. in Agriculture.
    Dissertation: The Human Health Benefits and Societal Benefits of Technical Tree Climbing Programs in Japanese Community Forests

■　Awards & Appointments

  • August 2021: RFBF 2021 Global Business & Interfaith Peace Award
  • September 2012: Letter of Appreciation for tree climbing, Executive Committee of the 29th National Urban Greening Fair TOKYO
  • April 2011: Appointed Biodiversity Leader by the Japan Committee for the UN Decade on Biodiversity, Ministry of the Environment
  • March 2009: Appointed member of “Chikyu Ikimono Ouendan” (Biodiversity Supporters), Ministry of the Environment
  • June 2008: Appointed One-Day Police Chief, Chita Police Station, Aichi
  • May 2008: Appointed EXPO Ambassador, NPO Expo 2005 Aichi Volunteer Center
  • March 2008: Appointed Traffic Safety Campaign Leader, Aichi Prefecture
  • May 2007: 1st Kids Design Award for tree climbing, Kids Design Association
  • April 2007: Letter of Appreciation, “Yama-jikara” Contest, Organization for Urban-Rural Interchange Revitalization
  • August 2006: Concert for Children Award for tree climbing activities, One by One Children’s Fund
  • April 2001: Tsubaki Award for tree climbing with people with disabilities, Rotary Club of Nagoya Meieki
  • April 2001: Appointed One-Day Police Chief and received a Letter of Appreciation, Seto Police Station, Aichi
  • October 2000: Good Design Award for the Mokushoen Afforestation Project, Japan Institute of Design Promotion
  • June 1999: Chairman’s Idea Award for “John-san’s Miso Barrel House,” Japan Federation of Young Timber Industry Associations
  • January 1999: Letter of Appreciation for contributions to community policing, Seto Police Station, Aichi
  • March 1996: Letter of Appreciation for anti-drug, youth development and delinquency prevention activities, Atsuta Police Station, Aichi
  • October 1994: Runner-up, Regional Publishing Culture Award, Book-in Tottori Executive Committee

■　Books

  • Arborist® Basic Text: Climbing, Rigging and Tree Care Techniques (Japanese translation of an ISA text), National Forestry Extension Association in Japan, August 2019
  • ISA-Approved Text: The Art and Science of Practical Rigging for Arborists® (Japanese translation), National Forestry Extension Association in Japan, August 2018
  • Illustrated Manual: Tree Climbing for Beginners, Shuwa System, April 2018
  • Tree Climbing Is My Dream: John Gathright’s Life Devoted to Climbing Trees by Yuki Anzu, Kaisei Shuppan
  • Special Education Textbook for Rope Work at Height (Tree Work), August 2017
  • Felling and Bucking Techniques (co-translation), National Forestry Extension Association in Japan, August 2013
  • Gift from the Heart, Kuritasha, June 2006
  • The Forest Gave Me the Courage to Live, Wedge, April 2004
  • Tree Climbing: Welcome to the World Above, National Forestry Extension Association in Japan, August 2003
  • Parenting Is a Love Sandwich, Fusosha, December 1999
  • Dream Friends, Chuo Shuppan, November 1997
  • John-san’s Nagoya Diary II, Chunichi Shimbun, October 1997
  • Children Are the Earth’s Heroes, Liberty Shobo, April 1996
  • The Yagi Family’s Rice Field, Aichi Shobo, May 1993
  • John-san’s Nagoya Diary, Chunichi Shimbun, May 1993

■　Writing

  • Kyodo News: “Climb a Tree and Your World Changes: An Invitation to Tree Climbing”
  • Gendai Ringyo (National Forestry Extension Association in Japan): “Arborists of the World,” 2011 –
  • Kyoiku Shimbun (Education Newspaper): “Environment Column”
  • The Japan Times ST (weekly), essay: “From John Gathright’s Miso Barrel Treehouse”
  • Kenko (Social Insurance Agency)
  • Ajikurige (Tokai Shinise no Kai): “John’s Culture Food Shock!”
  • Gendai Ringyo: “John-san’s Look Down from a Tree!”, 2004 – 2005
  • Aichi Prefecture Tourism Division website: “Aichi, Home of the Warlords – Columns by Three Wise Men”
  • Chunichi Shimbun, weekly morning edition: “John-san’s Nagoya Diary” and “John-san’s Global Family,” 1991 – 2001
  • Asahi Shimbun, weekly national morning edition: “Let’s Talk Up in the Trees,” 2001 – 2002
  • The Japan Times ST, monthly: “Opinion,” 1994 – 2004
  • Many other original columns in newspapers and magazines

■ Main TV, Radio & Commercial Appearances

BS TV Tokyo: Why I Live in Japan
NHK Radio: Radio Shin-yabin
NHK WORLD: Science View
NHK BS Premium: Great Nature – The Otherworld of the World’s Largest Trees: California’s Sequoia Belt
NHK Educational: Let’s Go to Morizo and Kiccoro’s Forest! (semi-regular)
TBS environmental special: Love Letter from the Forest II, written by Sō Kuramoto
NHK WORLD: Journeys in Japan
Nationwide broadcast: Ikiiki! Yume Kirari, episode 55, “John-san and the World Expo” (Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association)
TV commercial: Toyota Estima 2003, LA version
TV commercial: House Vermont Curry, Tree Climbing version
TV commercial: AC Japan, “Let’s Start by Connecting”
NHK General year-end special: 2004 Tokai: This Year – Toward a New Leap, and others
NHK Radio: Gogo no Hitotoki, Thursday guest
Chukyo TV year-end special: What the Announcers Saw! Moving! Shocking! Turbulent Chukyo 2004
Nagoya TV (Mētele) documentary: John-san’s Smallest Pavilion
Tokai TV: Chubu ga Genki – Rediscovering the Charms of Chubu
NHK BS1: Deai Chikyujin and Sekai no Report
bayfm: The Flintstone
Fuji TV: Waratte Iitomo!, Tuesday semi-regular in the segment “Gaijin-san Irasshai!”
TBS: Joho! Mogitate Salad
CBC Radio: Mogitate no Kabocha-tachi, and more

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