The 'Regional Decarbonization Promotion Consortium Kansai MachiWell' (hereinafter 'Kansai MachiWell'), composed of Hankyu Corporation (President: Yasuo Shimada), West Japan Railway Company (President: Nobuharu Kurusaka), and Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. (President: Keiji Sumimoto), announced on July 3, 2026 (Friday) that its participating companies have expanded to a total of five. Furthermore, on July 16, 2026 (Thursday), the consortium signed partnership agreements with three additional municipalities, increasing the number of partner municipalities from 15 to 18.

The newly participating companies are Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Yosuke Kusu) and Kitakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Tetsuro Nakanaka), bringing the total number of railway operators advancing the project to five.

The municipalities that signed partnership agreements today are Kyoto City, Moriguchi City, and Ashiya City. The agreements include commitments to 'promote installation of local renewable energy power sources' and 'encourage public transportation usage.' Partner municipalities will jointly advance initiatives contributing to regional decarbonization, such as the J-Credit creation project 'Kansai Ene-Wa' (refer to attached supplementary materials). Notably, Kansai Ene-Wa is the first program-type project in Japan initiated by railway operators to generate J-Credits.

This initiative reflects the consortium's commitment to realizing a decarbonized society with the determination that 'we will' ('We'll') make the Kansai region a more livable and wellness-oriented area. Moving forward, the consortium will continue to implement effective and wide-ranging measures that contribute to regional decarbonization, including promoting public transportation usage.

(Reference) Promoting Understanding of Railways' Environmental Advantages Toward Achieving a Decarbonized Society

The Japan Private Railway Association, Japan Subway Association, and JR Group companies have jointly established a common logo and slogan to promote public awareness of railways' environmental advantages. As relatively low-carbon transportation modes, railways are key to achieving modal shift and Japan's carbon neutrality. The entire railway industry is united in promoting this initiative.

<Details>

https://www.mintetsu.or.jp/association/news/2023/22402.html

https://www.westjr.co.jp/company/action/env/switch_sustainable_train

For Reference

About the Regional Decarbonization Promotion Consortium Kansai MachiWell

About the J-Credit Creation Project 'Kansai Ene-Wa'

d5181-536-69354fabb813814d3383fd03ed3605da.pdf

Hankyu Corporation: https://www.hankyu.co.jp/

Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd.: https://www.hanshin.co.jp/

Kitakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.: https://www.kita-kyu.co.jp/

Press Release: https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/06/70f2da20bd205cac3243b5d8d2151761ce85dd86.pdf

Issuer: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings

1-16-1 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka City

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Partnership