First Introduction of Office Products Using GX Steel to a National Government Agency

Okamura Corporation (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa; President and Representative Director: Masayuki Nakamura) has been collaborating with Nippon Steel Corporation since November 2024 to manufacture and sell office products using GX Steel*1, specifically Nippon Steel's "NSCarbolex® Neutral*2," as part of its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.

In the first instance of a national government agency procuring goods made with GX Steel, products (shelving) using "NSCarbolex Neutral" were adopted by the Ministry of the Environment's Kokyo Gaien National Garden Office for the "Kanko Rest House" and delivered in March 2026.

*1 GX Steel reflects the greenhouse gas reduction effects achieved by steel manufacturers in specific steel products.
*2 The brand name for Nippon Steel's GX Steel.

Okamura has set CO2 emission reduction targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and is implementing various initiatives. In product development, the company has established a "Carbon Neutral Design" philosophy to minimize CO2 emissions throughout the entire product lifecycle—from raw material procurement to manufacturing, sales, use, and disposal—to promote the development of environmentally friendly products. As part of this procurement strategy, Okamura is actively adopting materials with lower CO2 emissions. Through its collaboration with Nippon Steel, the company is promoting the manufacture and sales of products that utilize steel contributing to CO2 reduction.

To contribute to the long-term decarbonization strategies of its customers, Okamura has established internal guidelines for the use of GX Steel in office furniture based on the ISO 22095 (Chain of Custody) mass balance approach. The products delivered in this instance were made with 100% GX Steel according to these guidelines. The Japan Office Furniture Association (JOIFA) is also developing similar guidelines, and Okamura is providing full cooperation.

Moving forward, Okamura will continue to drive the development of products that reduce environmental impact throughout their lifecycle and actively work toward reducing CO2 emissions.

―Okamura's Initiatives for the Global Environment―

The Okamura Group aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As a milestone, it has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by fiscal year 2030 compared to fiscal year 2020. This target has been certified by the international "SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)" as being scientifically grounded in limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Under the key management theme of "Initiatives for the Global Environment," the Okamura Group identifies "Contribution to Climate Change Issues and Realization of Carbon Neutrality" as a priority, promoting the reduction of environmental impact across the entire supply chain. The company is also advancing initiatives from the perspectives of "Promoting a Circular Economy" and "Sustainable Use and Conservation of Natural Resources."

Reference

□ Ministry of the Environment Press Release, March 27, 2026

Installation of shelves using GX Steel at the Ministry of the Environment's Kokyo Gaien National Garden Office

https://www.env.go.jp/press/press_03532.html