Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Yamaguchi Bank, YMFG Growth Partners, and ByWill Sign Partnership Agreement on Creation and Utilization of J-Credits from Mine City's Forests

ByWill Inc. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuichiro Shimomura), which promotes economic circulation utilizing environmental value with the aim of creating a world where GX is desirable, has signed a partnership agreement on the creation and utilization of J-Credits from Mine City's forests with Mine City (Mayor: Yoji Shinoda), Yamaguchi Bank, Ltd. (Head Office: Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture; Director and President: Tokumasa Soga), and YMFG Growth Partners, Inc. (Head Office: Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture; Representative Director: Yasuhiro Zenin).

Based on this agreement, the four parties will work on the creation and distribution of environmental value, including J-Credits (Note 1), and the creation of new business models.

(From left in the photo) Rie Omoto, Executive Officer and General Manager of Head Office Sales Department, Yamaguchi Bank; Yasuhiro Zenin, Representative Director, YMFG Growth Partners; Yoji Shinoda, Mayor of Mine City; Yuichiro Shimomura, President and CEO, ByWill.

Note 1: J-Credits are credits certified by the government for the reduction or absorption of greenhouse gases such as CO2, achieved through decarbonization activities by businesses, such as the introduction of energy-saving equipment and the utilization of renewable energy. Issued credits can be sold to other companies, and purchasers can use them for carbon offsets.

[Date of Agreement]

June 25, 2026 (Thu)

A signing ceremony was held at Mine City Hall on the day of the agreement.

[Agreement Details]

The four parties will cooperate on the following matters with the aim of contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society and the resolution of regional issues by conducting appropriate forest management and creating/utilizing credits under the J-Credit System:

(1) Provision of information, services, and know-how related to environmental value (2) Creation of environmental value utilizing the J-Credit System (3) Matters related to the regional distribution of J-Credits (4) Other matters that both parties recognize as contributing to the purpose of this agreement

[Background of the Agreement]

Mine City declared itself a "Carbon Neutral Challenge City" on May 12, 2025 (Mon), aiming for net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. To achieve this, the city is working on energy conservation measures, renewable energy adoption, and forest management.

Furthermore, YMFG Growth Partners (formerly YM Consulting Co., Ltd.) and ByWill signed a customer referral agreement on November 18, 2024 (Mon), and strengthened their collaboration with Yamaguchi Financial Group through a capital alliance with YMFG Capital during their Series B funding round last year. This partnership agreement was reached to promote the creation and utilization of J-Credits, a new initiative for Mine City, following ByWill's introduction to the city.

Reference)

・Mine City: Mine City Carbon Neutral Challenge City Declaration (https://www2.city.mine.lg.jp/material/files/group/11/zerocarbonsenngenn.pdf)

・Mine City: Mine City Global Warming Countermeasures Execution Plan (Regional Policy Edition) (https://www2.city.mine.lg.jp/material/files/group/11/kuikisesakuhenn.pdf)

[Future Outlook]

To achieve Mine City's zero-carbon city goal, the four parties will cooperate to promote the creation and distribution of J-Credits. Regarding the method for creating J-Credits (methodology), the CO2 absorption capacity of Mine City's forests will be visualized as J-Credits and connected to companies that need them, thereby contributing to the achievement of decarbonization goals for both parties. Subsequently, expansion to the creation of credits using other methodologies is anticipated.

ByWill will seamlessly support the J-Credit creation project in Mine City, from registration and application to monitoring and sales of the created credits. Furthermore, ByWill will further strengthen its collaboration with Yamaguchi Financial Group, including Yamaguchi Bank and YMFG Growth Partners, and leverage the network of regional financial institutions to expand decarbonization initiatives starting with the creation and utilization of J-Credits. For sales, ByWill will promote decarbonization in the region, including Mine City, through "local production for local consumption."

[Overview of the Four Parties]

<Mine City Overview>

Representative: Mayor Yoji Shinoda

Location: 326-1 Ominecho Higashibun, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Official Website: https://www2.city.mine.lg.jp/index.html

<Yamaguchi Bank Overview>

Name: Yamaguchi Bank, Ltd. ■Representative: Director and President Tokumasa Soga ■Head Office: 4-2-36 Takezaki-cho, Shimonoseki City ■Business Activities: Banking ■Official Website: https://www.yamaguchibank.co.jp/

<YMFG Growth Partners Overview>

Name: YMFG Growth Partners, Inc. ■Representative: Representative Director Yasuhiro Zenin ■Head Office: 8F, Estraust Shimonoseki Center Building, 4-7-24 Takezaki-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture ■Business Activities: Business Growth and Problem-Solving Support Services ■Official Website: https://www.ymgp.co.jp/

<ByWill Inc. Overview>

Name: ByWill Inc.

Representative: President and CEO Yuichiro Shimomura

Location: 4F, Hulic Ginza 7-chome Building, 7-3-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities:

・Environmental Value Creation Support Business (Creation of Carbon Credits, etc.)

・Environmental Value Trading Business (Procurement and Brokerage of Carbon Credits, etc.)

・GX Consulting Business

・Brand Consulting Business

Corporate Website: https://www.bywill.co.jp/

[Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release]

ByWill Inc. Public Relations Department

e-mail: [email protected] TEL: 03-6262-3584 (General)