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Regional decarbonization

Mebuki Financial Group is working to expand and provide various services to strengthen support for decarbonization in local communities.

Initiatives

We provide financial support for the introduction of energy-saving equipment that contributes to GHG emission reductions and specific reduction measures such as the use of carbon credits. Furthermore, we provide comprehensive support for decarbonization management by helping companies visualize their emissions and develop reduction targets and plans, which are the first necessary steps in decarbonization efforts.

Measures for supporting customers working on decarbonization at each phase of the process, from implementation to information disclosure

Support for GHG Emissions Calculation and Reduction

Joyo Bank and Ashikaga Bank provide financial support for the introduction of energy-saving equipment that contributes to GHG emission reductions and specific reduction measures such as the use of carbon credits. Not only that, but they provide comprehensive support for decarbonization management by helping companies visualize their emissions and develop reduction targets and plans, which are the first necessary steps in decarbonization efforts.

Joyo Bank

Eco-Support

  • In June 2024, the bank launched the Eco-Support tool. Based on customers’ CO2 emissions data, we support customers’ decarbonization management from planning to reduction of CO2 emissions.
  • With cooperation from Hitachi Ltd., we launched the Eco-Support tool for calculating and managing emissions, and the EFaaS tool for supporting energy visualization and optimization.

Visualizing emissions through the introduction of the Eco-Support management tool

Ashikaga Bank

Carbon management consulting service

  • In March 2022, the bank began offering this service through a business alliance with Wastebox, Inc.
  • In addition to calculating emissions based on the GHG Protocol※1, and preparing reduction targets and plans in accordance with the SBTs※2, the bank also provides various types of support, including SBTs application support for SMEs and external PR, to comprehensively support customers’ efforts toward decarbonization. As of March 31, 2024, a cumulative total of 60 applications has been received.

Scheme diagram

  • ※1 
    An internationally recognized standard for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
  • ※2 
    The Science-Based Targets are greenhouse gas reduction targets set by companies for the next 5 to 15 years, consistent with the levels required by the Paris Agreement.

Sustainable Finance

Joyo Bank and Ashikaga Bank, based on the “Decarbonization Roadmap” (“Know,” “Measure,” and “Reduce”) recommended by the Ministry of the Environment, are promoting decarbonization management support through decarbonization dialogues (engagement activities) with customers. By providing sustainable finance, we will support our customers’ activities aiming to realize a sustainable society through engagement activities.

(1) Sustainable Finance (Bank total)

Definition of Sustainable Finance

“Finance to support customers’ activities aiming to realize a sustainable society through solving environmental and social issues,” as referenced in related external standards (the Green Loan Principles, the Green Bond Principles, the Social Bond Principles, etc.)

Environmental fields
  • Projects that help adapt to/mitigate climate change, such as renewable energy projects
  • Capital investments that contribute to renewable energy, energy saving, and carbon neutrality
Social fields
  • Projects that contribute to regional revitalization and local development
  • Projects that contribute to fostering start-ups and job creation

(2) Framework-type sustainability-linked loans

Subsidiary banks Joyo Bank and Ashikaga Bank have started offering framework-type sustainability-linked loans※. In these products, customers are asked to select one KPI that is highly relevant to their sustainability improvement efforts from among multiple pre-defined KPIs, and the loan interest rate is reduced according to the achievement of the Sustainability Performance Target (SPT). Customers only need to select a KPI/SPT to use the product, enabling funding over a shorter period and at a lower cost than a regular sustainability-linked loan.
We believe that this product will serve as a catalyst for many of our customers to launch sustainability initiatives.

Examples of KPIs/SPTs
KPI SPT
Joyo Bank CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and 2) Achievement of the reduction target in the target year indicated on the left
Recognized as a Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization Acquired certification
Ashikaga Bank SBT for SMEs Acquired certification
Eruboshi Certification Acquired certification

※Names of products at each subsidiary bank
Joyo Bank: Sustainability-Linked Loan/Joyo Framework (https://pdf.irpocket.com/C8333/KKjE/raKk/L04W.pdf)
Ashikaga Bank: Ashigin Sustainability-Linked Loan (Target Selection Type) (https://pdf.irpocket.com/C0060/PTSX/x4Py/YScG.pdf)

Providing opportunities for ESG initiatives through deposits

Joyo Bank: Sustainable Deposits

Starting from April 2025, Joyo Bank has launched the handling of “Sustainable Deposits” as an initiative to support customers’ activities for realizing a sustainable society through solving environmental and social issues.
Sustainable Deposit is a deposit product through which the Bank allocates funds received from customers as loans to businesses expected to improve the environment and address social issues. Customers will be able to indirectly contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through the product.

Ashikaga Bank: Green Deposit

Since October 2024, Ashikaga Bank has been handling “Green Deposit,” which allocates the entire amount of funds received from customers to financing businesses that contribute to environmental improvement in the renewable energy field. This product allows customers to indirectly contribute to efforts to solve environmental issues in the SDGs.

Support for introduction of locally produced and consumed renewable energy

Demand for renewable energy in the region is increasing rapidly, and the need for renewable energy for self-consumption of electricity is becoming apparent not only among major companies but also among local companies. In order to contribute to regional decarbonization through the acquisition and power generation of renewable energy sources and related businesses, "Joyo Green Energy Co., Ltd." was established in July 2022. In August 2023, Colletochi, Ltd., a subsidiary of Ashikaga Bank, entered the electric power business.
Please refer to this page for details of the initiatives.

Support for the creation of SDGs Declarations

Joyo Bank and Ashikaga Bank provide services to local business operators to clarify the relationship between their business activities and the 17 goals of the SDGs, and to externally declare their initiatives through an "SDGs Declaration." Through this service, we support local customers in participating in SDGs initiatives. We will continue to work on support aimed at improving customers' corporate value and growing and expanding their businesses through this service.

※Product names at each subsidiary bank:
Joyo Bank: SDGs Initiative Declaration Support Service (https://www.joyobank.co.jp/enterpri/sdgs/)
Ashikaga Bank: SDGs Declaration Formulation Support Service (https://www.ashikagabank.co.jp/hojin/management/sdgs_support.html)

Forest and Environmental Conservation Activities

Tree Planting Activities

Developing “Joyo Furusato no Mori”

In order to pass on beautiful and healthy hometown forests to the next generation, Joyo Bank actively engages in forest thinning and tree-planting activities in "Joyo Furusato no Mori" (Joyo Hometown Forests) located in Hitachiota City, Naka City, and Mt. Tsukuba, working to protect and nurture local greenery.
In recognition of our active efforts toward environmental conservation to date, we have received the "Earth-Friendly Company Award" implemented by Ibaraki Prefecture three times in the past.

Developing “Ashigin Forest”

Since 2012, Ashikaga Bank has developed “Ashigin Forest” as tree planting activities by employees and their families. And they continuously develop walkways and remove the underbrush for that obstructs growth, to have local residents enjoy seasonal scenery.

Tree Planting at the Ashio Mountain

Ashikaga Bank supports the activities of “NPO Grow Green in Ashio”, which works to reforest Ashio Mountain which had been devastated by smoke pollution, and considers the problems in the headwaters area of the Watarasegawa River in order to create a healthy natural environment. The Bank engages in tree-planting activities there every year with new employees and member companies of the Tochigi Prefecture Industrial Cooperation Council.

Environmental Conservation Activities

Cooperation in Conservation of Nikko Cedar Avenue

Ashikaga Bank supports the "Nikko Cedar Avenue Ownership System" conducted by Tochigi Prefecture to protect the world-renowned Nikko Cedar Avenue, and has been an owner of Nikko Cedar Avenue since the system started in 1996. We have continued to purchase trees (10 million yen per tree) and hold the largest number of cedars as a single organization. In addition to cooperation with the "Nikko Cedar Avenue Ownership System," we actively participate in cleaning activities and other protection activities for the Cedar Avenue.

Number of cedars owned
as of March 31, 2023 80 trees (cumulative)

“Eco-Ibaraki” Environmental Conservation Trust

The Group provides grants to organizations engaged in environmental conservation activities in Ibaraki Prefecture.
Eco-Ibaraki is a charitable trust established jointly by the Joyo Bank and Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. in 1992. Each year since its establishment, the trust has been awarding grants to applicants selected through a screening process conducted by the trust’s management committee. (Joyo Bank)

Subsidies provided through charitable trusts, etc. (cumulative total)

Number of subsidies made Subsidy amount
1,762 ¥190.57 million