Kyodo Shoji, Operator of COEDO, Becomes First in Japanese Alcohol Industry to Obtain International Certification 'B Corp'

Kyodo Shoji Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, Representative Director: Shigure Shigeji, hereinafter referred to as 'the Company') has become the first in the Japanese alcohol industry to obtain the international certification 'B Corp' for companies that consider society and the environment. Additionally, the Company's COEDO has achieved the highest evaluation at the world's largest beer competition, the '2026 Australian International Beer Award (AIBA)', and has been selected as one of the '300 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Small Businesses that are Thriving' by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, receiving high evaluations in both quality and management.

In this release, we will share our vision for a sustainable future based on these achievements.

Three Achievements Symbolizing the Leap in 2026

Based on the acquisition of B Corp certification, the Company has received high evaluations both domestically and internationally in the following activities.

B Corp™ Certification Acquisition

B Corp™ certification is an international certification operated by the U.S. non-profit organization B Lab to certify 'companies that are good for the world' that consider society and the environment. While approximately 8,000 companies (including Patagonia) have obtained this certification in more than 100 countries worldwide, it is a rare certification with very strict examinations, and there are still few certified companies in Japan, making it the first in the Japanese alcohol industry. It is a highly reliable certification that differs from self-declared SDGs as it conducts strict examinations based on evidence in five fields and approximately 200 items, including 'governance,' 'environment,' and 'employees.'

Awarded 'Champion Medium International Brewery' at the 2026 AIBA

At the world's largest beer competition, the '2026 Australian International Beer Award (AIBA),' the Company received one of the highest awards, the 'Champion Medium International Brewery.' Among approximately 2,200 entries from 22 countries, six out of the seven entries submitted by the Company won medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze). The high quality and technological capabilities recognized by global standards were demonstrated.

Reference: 'Awarded at the 2026 Australian International Beer Award' COEDO Official Website

Selected as one of the '300 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Small Businesses that are Thriving'

In this selection by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, the Company's new product development that integrates AI and the knowledge of skilled craftsmen, the IoTization of the manufacturing process, and the promotion of the 'Agri-Brewery' model through self-cultivation were highly evaluated. The selection recognized the Company's sustainable management based on regional resources and its global growth potential with a 30% export ratio and expansion into 30 countries worldwide.

Four Points Highly Evaluated by the Company

1. Implementation of 'Resource Circulation' in Beer Brewing

At the 'COEDO' brewery, a circular economy is established to transform waste into resources and return them to the earth.

100% Feed Utilization of Spent Grain: The spent grain generated in the brewing process is provided 100% to local livestock farmers as high-nutrition feed for reuse.

Energy Creation through Methane Fermentation: Using the introduced wastewater treatment methane fermentation plant, biogas is extracted from wastewater and reused as clean energy.

Complete Sludge Composting (Starting in 2026): As part of a subsidy project from Saitama Prefecture, the Company will start composting the sludge generated in the brewing process in 2026. The Company is advancing efforts to realize a cycle where all by-products of beer brewing are returned to the earth.

2. Maintaining 'Soil Health' and 'Ecosystem' through Organic Farming

For half a century since its founding, the Company has promoted regenerative agriculture in accordance with the natural order.

Soil Regeneration: By promoting organic farming that does not use synthetic chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers, the Company preserves the diversity of soil microorganisms and brings out the inherent vitality of the earth.

Ecosystem Protection: By minimizing environmental impact, the Company maintains a rich ecosystem and passes on sustainable regional agriculture to future generations.

3. Promoting Organic Farming through the Hub 'ORGANIC & CO.' Connecting Lifestyles and Circulation

The Company operates a zero-waste organic shop to directly convey its philosophy to consumers.

Activities to Convey the Significance of Organic Farming: The Company offers organic agricultural products for sale by weight and proposes a lifestyle that does not produce plastic waste. Beyond mere sales, the shop serves as a venue to directly convey to consumers the importance of soil regeneration and ecosystem protection brought about by organic farming.

4. Strategic Governance: Incorporating B Corp Standards into the Medium-term Management Plan

The Company positions the realization of a sustainable society as the top priority in management.

Clarification in the Management Plan: In the medium-term management plan, the Company clearly states corporate operations based on B Corp standards. Beyond economic benefits, the Company regards consumers, local communities, and the global environment as important stakeholders and pursues their benefits as the core of its strategy through 'stakeholder management.'

Message from Representative Director Shigure Shigeji

'We believe that, as a company based on 'agriculture,' maintaining healthy soil and circulating resources are the foundation of our business.

What COEDO aims for is to consistently engage in activities as a brewery based on agriculture, from organic farming for barley production for beer to brewery operations that circulate resources, idealizing 'Farm to Glass (from farm to glass).'

Currently, the ratio of organic farming in Japan is relatively low compared to the rest of the world. We regard this situation as a major challenge and will further promote organic farming and lead the way in regenerative agriculture to protect Japan's rich land and ecosystem. Using the B Corp certification we have obtained as a stepping stone, we will demonstrate to the world a cycle that makes the earth better through every drop of beer and every grain of crops.'

[Reference] About B Corp™ (B Corp) Certification

*Note: The following is supplementary information on the overview of B Corp certification as background knowledge.

B Corp certification is an international certification awarded to companies that meet strict evaluation criteria for consideration of society and the environment, transparency, and accountability, operated by the U.S. non-profit organization B Lab. While approximately 8,000 companies, including Patagonia (USA) and Danone (France), have obtained this certification in more than 100 countries worldwide, the examination is extremely strict, and there are still few certified companies in Japan, making it a rare certification.

'Not the best company in the world, but the best company for the world (Best FOR the world)'

Rather than mere profit-seeking, the question is how to use the power of business to solve social issues.

Comprehensive and strict third-party certification

The certification is awarded after a rigorous assessment based on evidence in five areas: governance, employees, community, environment, and customers, covering approximately 200 items. It is a highly reliable certification that differs from self-declared SDGs.

About Kyodo Shoji Co., Ltd.

With the strong desire of its founder to 'provide safe and delicious food that forms the basis of health' and to 'improve Japanese agriculture even a little,' the Company has been engaged in new agricultural practices such as organic farming and pesticide-free farming since the 1970s. The Company directly ships products from the production area to