First in the Nation! Kawasaki City and 19 Global Companies Establish New Framework "KAWASAKI NATURE LOOP Global Platform"!

Establishment of a new collaborative framework "KAWASAKI NATURE LOOP Global Platform" with 19 companies in the city towards the realization of nature positive.

Kawasaki City established the "KAWASAKI NATURE LOOP Global Platform" on July 8th, a new framework to foster a sustainable positive cycle where nature and the city grow together, in collaboration with 19 companies, including global corporations located within the city.

To ensure economic and social stability, mitigating climate change risks is essential. Alongside decarbonization and resource circulation, there is a growing global interest in biodiversity, aiming to solve societal challenges by leveraging the functions of natural ecosystems. In Kawasaki City, the "Vision for Greenery" outlines the city's direction for the next 100 years, focusing on solving regional and global environmental issues such as nature positive (ecological restoration) and climate change adaptation.

Amidst the global rise of ESG investment*, companies are increasingly disclosing nature-related information. In light of this trend, Kawasaki City is establishing a new framework, the first of its kind in Japan, to focus on discussions regarding the evaluation of greenery and biodiversity. This initiative is a collaboration with 19 companies, including global corporations located in the city, who have endorsed the platform's objectives. As a municipality, Kawasaki City is also taking its first step to visualize greenery and biodiversity to drive initiatives that create a globally recognized positive cycle. The discussions held here will lead to the development of comprehensive initiatives where diverse stakeholders, including citizens, companies, organizations, universities, and financial institutions, can actively participate.

Regarding this establishment, the Mayor of Kawasaki City stated, "The establishment of this platform for discussions on the evaluation of greenery and biodiversity in collaboration with these companies is a first for the nation. Today, we will engage in discussions with everyone gathered here on the evaluation of greenery and biodiversity, advance initiatives to create a positive cycle where nature and the city grow together, and contribute integrally to decarbonization, circular economy, and nature positive." He expressed his future aspirations and expectations.

*ESG Investment: Investment that considers non-financial information related to ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance).

KAWASAKI NATURE LOOP Global Platform

Date and Time

Establishment Announcement: July 8, 2026 (Wed) 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

1st Meeting: 10:30 AM - 12:05 PM

Location

Kawasaki City Hall Main Building, Restoration Wing, 3rd Floor, Meeting Room 301

Participants

Announcement: 19 company representatives, 5 experts, 1 Kawasaki City representative (Mayor of Kawasaki City)

Total: 25 participants

Meeting: 26 company representatives, 5 experts, 1 Kawasaki City representative (Mayor of Kawasaki City)

Total: 32 participants (excluding secretariat staff)

Content

Announcement: (1) Introduction of attendees (2) Explanation of the "Vision for Greenery" concept and logo reveal (3) Announcement of the platform's establishment (introduction of objectives and initiatives)

Meeting: (1) Expert lecture (2) Academic lecture (3) Discussion on effective green space management (4) Exchange of opinions

Comments from Advisors

(Makoto Haraguchi, Fellow, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.)

As global environmental issues worsen, there are limits to large-scale infrastructure development as a solution, making the power of greenery crucial, and this is a topic of increasing international discussion. The initiative to bring companies together to collectively manage these efforts is globally advanced and groundbreaking. I expect the Kawasaki model to become a global model.

Comments from Companies

(Kenji Nakajima, Executive Officer (General Manager, Power Plant Siting & Environmental Survey Department), JERA Co., Inc.)

With the rapidly growing interest in nature positive, we are grateful for this opportunity as a company. Within this platform, our company wishes to contribute to making nature positive by cooperating with surveys and helping to visualize greenery and biodiversity. We hope this initiative will spread nationwide.

(Koya Takinami, General Manager, Environmental Promotion Office, Process Reform Division, Toshiba Corporation)

We are also working in collaboration with the local community on ecosystem considerations and nature conservation. In this context, we are deeply honored to participate in the platform in Kawasaki City. As companies have limitations acting alone, we look forward to this becoming a practical forum for public-private collaboration, drawing on specialized expertise. We will participate as a member.

PR Logo Creation (To be used when promoting activities that create a positive cycle where nature and the city grow together)

Individually,

The diverse green leaves represent

"Kawa" from Kawasaki and "N" from NATURE.

As a whole, it expresses the harmonious growth and positive cycle

of Kawasaki City's seven wards forming a circle,

representing the creation of a positive cycle.

About the "KAWASAKI NATURE LOOP Global Platform"

▶Purpose of Establishment

In light of the global trend of ESG investment and the increasing trend of companies disclosing nature-related information, this new framework, the "KAWASAKI NATURE LOOP Global Platform," has been established through collaboration with global companies located in the city. It will serve as a platform for discussions centered on the evaluation of greenery and biodiversity, initiating the following discussions to drive initiatives that create a globally recognized positive cycle:

(1) Visualization of greenery and biodiversity (2) Implementation of monitoring methods (3) Consideration of indicators (4) Other opinions regarding the connectivity and coherence of green spaces

▶Approach

To contribute to nature positive by walking alongside nature, in unity with diverse stakeholders belonging to the Kawasaki City community, not just the administration, we will promote initiatives as follows:

(1) First, as a kickoff towards creating a sustainable positive cycle where nature and the city grow together, we will commence discussions within this new framework to lead future initiatives with companies, primarily global corporations located within the city. (2) To promote nature positive and gain global recognition, we will advance initiatives such as visualizing greenery and biodiversity and monitoring through collaboration with companies. (3) We will connect these discussions to the development of comprehensive initiatives where diverse stakeholders, including citizens, companies, organizations, universities, and financial institutions, can voluntarily participate, foster awareness within the city, and communicate our efforts domestically and internationally when opportunities arise.

▶Role of the City

To embed the global movement that emphasizes not only decarbonization but also biodiversity into Kawasaki City from a local perspective, the city's role becomes more crucial than ever.

Kawasaki City needs to take the lead in promoting greening through regulations and deregulation, create opportunities for connection, and foster high-quality green spaces tailored to regional characteristics.

*Natural environment and biodiversity are closely related to regional characteristics.

▶Expected Role of Companies

Companies are increasingly disclosing nature-related information in line with global trends such as TNFD (Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) and ESG investment.

Moving forward, in addition to past greening and conservation activities, companies are expected to engage in greening that considers biodiversity, contribute to the local community, and demonstrate the functions and effects of greenery utilizing various technologies, thereby creating a globally recognized positive cycle.

Composition (Titles omitted)

Academics

- Akira Mori (Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo) - Kei Uchida (Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Sciences, Tokyo City University)

Companies (in Japanese alphabetical order) *Location in parentheses

【Large Corporations】

Asahi Kasei Corporation (Tokyo), Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Tokyo), ENEOS Corporation (Tokyo), Kao Corporation (Tokyo), Canon Inc. (Tokyo), JFE Steel Corporation (Tokyo), JERA Co., Inc. (Tokyo), Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), TEPCO Power Grid, Inc. (Tokyo), Toshiba Corporation (Kawasaki City), Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), NEC Corporation (Tokyo), FUJITSU LIMITED (Kawasaki City), Resonac Holdings Corporation (Tokyo)

【Real Estate Companies】

Tokyu Land Corporation (Tokyo), Nittetsu Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)

【Financial Institutions】

Kawasaki Shinkin Bank (Kawasaki City), Bank of Yokohama (Yokohama City)

Observers (Economy, Finance)

- Association for Promoting Business with Biodiversity (Tokyo)

Advisors

- Makoto Haraguchi Fellow, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. - Ryuichi Horie President and Representative Director, CSR Design Environment Investment Advisory Co., Ltd.

Direction of Discussion

(1) Visualization of greenery and biodiversity

We aim to build the "Kawasaki Model" by quantifying and visualizing the effects of greening initiatives and activities in green spaces, using the latest satellite remote sensing technology and geospatial information analysis technology, tailored to the city's unique landscape. Furthermore, by incorporating the results of on-site surveys with expert knowledge, we will enhance the accuracy to ensure that corporate initiatives contributing to biodiversity are recognized globally. This will support the improvement of urban appeal, regional value, and sustainable corporate activities towards nature positive (ecological restoration).

(2) Implementation of monitoring methods

By continuously monitoring the habitats and growth of flora and fauna within the city, we will collect basic data through green space volume and biodiversity surveys. In collaboration with the region and companies, we will develop sustainable monitoring methods that can serve as a model for urban areas, such as joint surveys with diverse stakeholders, to enable continuous appeal both domestically and internationally.

From left: Collaboration with companies (JERA Kawasaki Thermal Power Plant and Chidori Park), Collaboration with companies (Toshiba Komukai Works and Miyukicho Park), Collaboration with the community (Yumemigasaki Zoological Park)

<Further Challenges in Visualization>

Towards establishing indicators, we will challenge ourselves to create a model where the city and nature grow together by further utilizing the "Kawasaki Model" to identify areas that prioritize greening contributing to biodiversity, and by piloting the visualization of well-being (fulfillment of mind and body) and resilience (improvement of robustness against disasters, etc.).

(3) Consideration of indicators

Looking ahead to the "Vision for Greenery" in 2050, and with 2040 as an intermediate target year between the 2030 SDGs and the 2050 net-zero (carbon neutrality) international goals, we will exchange opinions on the visualization of greenery and biodiversity, and greening guidance methods, taking into account international indicators related to biodiversity. We will consider indicators suitable for Kawasaki City to comprehensively verify the progress of initiatives towards realizing the vision for greenery, such as the connectivity and coherence of greenery that contributes to biodiversity.

<Perspectives for Setting Future Indicators in the "Vision for Greenery">

- Indicators showing the connectivity of green spaces - Indicators showing the coherence of green spaces - Indicators showing well-being (fulfillment of mind and body) in key areas - Indicators showing collaborative efforts by everyone

Background

▶National Urban Greening Kawasaki Fair (Fiscal Year 2024)

Through the National Urban Greening Kawasaki Fair, held in two phases, autumn and spring, we were able to create numerous connections through the diverse functions and effects of greenery by combining Kawasaki's diverse charms with greenery through collaboration and co-creation.

▶"Vision for Greenery" Formulation as a Legacy (March 2026)

With an awareness of global trends, we formulated a vision for the next 100 years, inspired by the fair.

The "Vision for Greenery" serves as an overarching concept for related individual plans, outlining the ideal state in 2050. It aims for a Kawasaki where nature and the city continue to grow together in a positive cycle by maximizing the value of greenery, with diverse stakeholders independently fostering the three pillars of "green connectivity," "people's connectivity," and "urban development utilizing greenery."

To sustain the growth of the three pillars and the positive cycle outlined in the "Vision for Greenery," it is essential for diverse stakeholders involved with the city, including citizens, companies, organizations, universities, and financial institutions, to voluntarily participate and take initiative. We are developing a mechanism (greenery management) for comprehensively promoting and developing initiatives throughout the city. Furthermore, for information dissemination and awareness-raising opportunities, we will promote initiatives towards realizing the vision for greenery by fostering diverse stakeholder collaboration, collecting basic data through current condition surveys and monitoring, and visualizing data.

Image diagram of a sustainable positive cycle where nature and the city grow together

Kawasaki City Vision for Greenery

Formulated in March 2026

Contact Information

Fujino, Greenery Vision Promotion Section, General Affairs Department, Construction and Greenery Bureau, Kawasaki City

Phone: 044-200-0384