What is the main purpose of the Ichihara City and Bywill agreement?

To promote J-Credit creation, circulation, and new business models toward a zero-carbon city.

Who can use J-Credits?

Companies can purchase them to meet their own emission reduction targets, including local installations.

What role does Bywill play?

Bywill supports the entire process from project registration to monitoring and sales, promoting local consumption.

What benefits are there for citizens?

Local decarbonization advances, creating an eco-conscious economy and sustainable community development.

What are the future plans?

Expand LED and solar installations to generate J-Credits and broaden trading inside and outside the region.

Chiba Prefecture's Ichihara City and Bywill Sign Collaboration Agreement on Utilizing Environmental Value (J-Credits) Toward Achieving a Zero-Carbon City

Published Jul 17, 2026 12:02 AM ・ Updated Jul 16, 2026 5:23 PM ・ 9 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, and Bywill Co., Ltd. have signed a collaboration agreement to promote the creation and circulation of J-Credits—an environmental value system—toward achieving a zero-carbon city by 2050. Bywill will support the entire process from project registration to credit sales, strengthening regional economic decarbonization.

Bywill Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuichiro Shitomura; hereinafter "Bywill"), which aims to create a world where "Green Transformation (GX) becomes desirable" by promoting economic cycles through environmental value, has signed a collaboration agreement with Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture (Mayor: Joji Koide; hereinafter "Ichihara City") on utilizing environmental value (J-Credits) toward achieving a "Zero-Carbon City."

Under this agreement, both parties will collaborate on the creation and circulation of environmental values such as J-Credits (※1), as well as the development of new business models.

(Photo from left): Mayor Joji Koide of Ichihara City, and Tetsushi Maeda, Executive Officer and Head of Environmental Value Co-Creation Division at Bywill.

※1: The J-Credit system is a mechanism certified by the Japanese government that quantifies greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved through energy-saving measures or renewable energy installations, or greenhouse gas absorption through proper forest management, as "J-Credits." Issued J-Credits can be traded between companies, and purchasers can use them to achieve their own greenhouse gas reduction targets.

[Agreement Date]

July 16, 2026 (Thursday)

On the same day, a signing ceremony was held at Ichihara City Hall.

[Agreement Contents]

Both parties will cooperate on the following matters, aiming to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality and a circular economy within the region:

(1) Provision of information, services, and expertise related to environmental value

(2) Creation of new business models utilizing environmental value

(3) External communication and promotion of initiatives using environmental value

(4) Participation in program-type J-Credit projects

(5) Other matters mutually agreed upon by both parties

[Background of the Agreement]

Ichihara City declared its "Ichihara City Zero-Carbon City Declaration" on February 13, 2024 (Tuesday), aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To realize this goal, the city has been implementing initiatives such as installing solar power systems at evacuation centers through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and providing subsidies to citizens and local businesses for decarbonization equipment.

This collaboration agreement was established to advance new initiatives involving the creation and utilization of J-Credits.

Reference:

・Ichihara City: Ichihara City Zero-Carbon City Declaration

(https://www.city.ichihara.chiba.jp/article?articleId=65c34f111a58b575fe2aeaa2)

[Future Outlook]

Aiming to realize a zero-carbon city in Ichihara, both parties will collaborate to promote the creation and circulation of J-Credits. Regarding methodologies for J-Credit creation, they are considering the introduction of LED lighting systems, solar power generation systems, and other eligible methods.

Bywill will seamlessly support the registration and application of J-Credit creation projects in Ichihara City, monitoring, and the sale of generated credits. In terms of sales, they will promote local production for local consumption, accelerating decarbonization in Ichihara and other regions.

Going forward, Bywill will continue to act as a "Climate Asset Developer," going beyond mere decarbonization to realize essential GX by creating new co-creation connections across companies and regions and generating sustainable financial cycles that enrich regional economies. Through these efforts, Bywill will expand environmental value and climate assets nationwide, contributing to Japan's achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050.

[Overview of the Two Parties]

Representative: Mayor Joji Koide

Address: 1-1-1 Kokubunjidai-Chuo, Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture

Official Website: https://www.city.ichihara.chiba.jp

Company Name: Bywill Co., Ltd.

Representative: President and CEO Yuichiro Shitomura

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

Business Activities: Environmental Value Creation Support (e.g., carbon credit generation); Environmental Value Trading (procurement and brokerage of carbon credits); GX Consulting; Brand Consulting

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

[Inquiries regarding this release]

Bywill Co., Ltd. Public Relations

Email: [email protected] Phone: 03-6262-3584 (Main)

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: Partnership