A J-Credit is a government-certified environmental asset representing CO2 reduction or absorption from energy efficiency or forest management, used by companies for carbon offsetting.

Why did Proteiral purchase J-Credits from Okuizumo Town?

Proteiral's roots trace back to Tatara ironmaking in Okuizumo, so buying credits supports preserving forests tied to its historical legacy and modern decarbonization goals.

What is the main goal of this agreement?

To create a sustainable funding cycle for long-term forest conservation in Okuizumo while helping corporate decarbonization and regional revitalization.

What role does Bywill play?

Bywill acts as a Climate Asset Developer, facilitating J-Credit transactions and bridging regional and corporate sustainability efforts.

Are there future plans?

Yes, Proteiral and Okuizumo plan a comprehensive agreement including tree planting, thinning experiences, and environmental education.

Bywill Facilitates Sale of Shimane Prefecture's Okuizumo Town Forest J-Credit to Proteiral Co., Ltd., Hosts Partnership Agreement Ceremony

Published Jun 16, 2026 7:00 PM ・ Updated Jun 16, 2026 8:55 PM ・ 14 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Bywill has facilitated the sale of forest-derived J-Credits generated in Okuizumo Town, Shimane Prefecture, to Proteiral Co., Ltd., establishing a long-term partnership aimed at sustainable forest conservation and decarbonization, rooted in the historical connection of 'Tatara ironmaking'.

Bywill Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuichiro Shitomura, hereinafter "Bywill"), a company dedicated to advancing economic cycles through environmental value under the vision of "a world where GX is exciting," has signed a partnership agreement and held a signing ceremony with Okuizumo Town, Shimane Prefecture (Mayor: Tamotsu Itohara, hereinafter "Okuizumo Town") and Proteiral Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Sean M. Stack, hereinafter "Proteiral"). The agreement includes the sale of forest-derived J-Credits (※1) generated in Okuizumo Town to Proteiral.

(From left in photo): Yasuhiro Aido, Branch Manager of Yasugi Branch, San-in Godo Bank; Hiroshi Watanabe, Yasugi Plant Manager, Proteiral; Tamotsu Itohara, Mayor of Okuizumo Town; Yuichiro Shitomura, President and CEO of Bywill; Hiroyuki Kato, Branch Manager of Miseki Branch, San-in Godo Bank

This initiative goes beyond one-off carbon offsetting, aiming to establish a sustainable financial cycle and long-term partnership to preserve Okuizumo Town’s rich forests for the future.

※1 The J-Credit system is a Japanese government certification program that quantifies greenhouse gas emission reductions from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, or greenhouse gas absorption from proper forest management, as verifiable "J-Credits." These credits can be traded between organizations and used by buyers to meet their own emission reduction targets.

[Agreement Date]

June 15, 2026 (Monday)

The partnership agreement ceremony was held on the same day at the Okuizumo Town Hall.

[Background of the Initiative]

Okuizumo Town is the only region in Japan where "Tatara ironmaking," a traditional Japanese iron production method, continues to thrive today.

Proteiral’s Yasugi Plant traces its origins back to this very Tatara ironmaking tradition. Historically, Tatara ironmaking required vast amounts of charcoal (produced from coppice forests), creating an inseparable link between iron production and forest conservation in Okuizumo Town.

Given Proteiral’s long-standing and deep-rooted connection with the town, purchasing the environmental value embedded in its forests as J-Credits represents a natural evolution—transforming a historical bond into a modern decarbonization strategy.

[Why a Long-Term Contract?]

Many forests across Japan face challenges in proper maintenance due to labor shortages and rising thinning costs. Proteiral has chosen not to limit its involvement to annual carbon offsetting but has instead signed a multi-year long-term J-Credit purchase agreement, driven by a strong commitment to preserve the forest’s inherent CO2 absorption capacity and biodiversity over the long term. The revenue from credit sales, facilitated by Bywill, will be used directly by Okuizumo Town as funding for planned forest management and thinning activities, supporting sustainable forestry.

[Statements from Stakeholders]

Hiroshi Watanabe, Yasugi Plant Manager, Proteiral

"Our company traces its roots to the traditional 'Tatara ironmaking' preserved in Okuizumo Town. We continue to uphold its legacy and spirit in our manufacturing, producing the specialty steel known as Yashikihagane. Reducing CO2 emissions is a key priority for us.

Utilizing J-Credits generated through forest management activities in Okuizumo Town holds significant meaning for our business operations.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the people of Okuizumo Town and all related parties."

Tamotsu Itohara, Mayor of Okuizumo Town

"Our town, blessed with abundant forest resources, has long contributed to global environmental conservation and the SDGs. Today, with Proteiral Co., Ltd. purchasing our J-Credits and Bywill Co., Ltd. serving as intermediary, we are establishing a three-party regional partnership agreement focused on decarbonization and forest conservation. Our deep historical ties with Proteiral through Tatara ironmaking make this initiative particularly meaningful and reassuring.

As a town where Tatara ironmaking still lives on, Okuizumo will continue to pass on a sustainable society to future generations and contribute to environmental protection."

Yuichiro Shitomura, President and CEO, Bywill

"We are deeply pleased to have connected Okuizumo Town, with its long-standing relationship with forests, with Proteiral, which inherits the spirit of Tatara ironmaking and is committed to decarbonization.

Through this J-Credit initiative, we aim to deepen our collaboration with Proteiral to ensure the forest resources at the heart of Yashikihagane’s cultural heritage are sustainably passed on to future generations.

Moving forward, we will continue to work with San-in Godo Bank in Shimane Prefecture as a Climate Asset Developer, creating environmental assets and contributing to regional revitalization and the realization of a decarbonized society alongside companies that value sustainability."

[Future Outlook]

This collaboration extends beyond mere credit trading. As the next step, Proteiral and Okuizumo Town plan to sign a separate comprehensive partnership agreement for forest conservation activities, including employee tree planting, thinning experiences, and nature education programs. Bywill, in its role of creating environmental value, will continue to support these efforts—not just as a transaction facilitator, but as a partner in building a new model of 'regionally circular carbon neutrality' that integrates cultural heritage preservation with environmental protection.

Going forward, Bywill will continue to act as a 'Climate Asset Developer,' going beyond simple decarbonization to foster co-creation across companies and regions, generating sustainable financial cycles that enrich local economies and achieve essential GX. Through these efforts, we aim to expand environmental value (assets) across Japan and help achieve nationwide carbon neutrality by 2050.

[Company Overview: Bywill Co., Ltd.]

Company Name: Bywill Co., Ltd.

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

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

Representative: President and CEO Yuichiro Shitomura

Business Activities:

- Environmental Value Creation Support (e.g., carbon credit generation)

- Environmental Value Trading (procurement and brokerage of carbon credits)

- GX Consulting

- Brand Consulting

[Inquiries Regarding This Release]

Public Relations, Bywill Co., Ltd.

Email: pr@bywill.co.jp

TEL: 03-6262-3584 (Main)

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: Partnership