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 Nippon Steel's GX steel*1, "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 formulated a "Carbon Neutral Design" philosophy to minimize CO2 emissions throughout the product lifecycle—from raw material procurement to manufacturing, sales, use, and disposal—to promote the development of environmentally friendly products. In procurement based on this design philosophy, Okamura is actively adopting materials with lower CO2 emissions. As an example, through collaboration with Nippon Steel, the company is promoting the manufacture and sale of products utilizing steel that contributes to CO2 reduction via the supply of "NSCarbolex Neutral."

To contribute to the long-term promotion of its customers' decarbonization strategies, Okamura has established internal guidelines for the use of GX steel in office furniture based on the mass balance method in accordance with ISO 22095 (Chain of Custody). The products delivered this time are 100% GX steel based on the mass balance method in line with these guidelines. The Japan Office Furniture Association (JOIFA) is also working on establishing similar guidelines, and Okamura is providing full cooperation.

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

―Okamura's Environmental Initiatives―

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 based on scientific evidence to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement.

As one of the key management themes of the Okamura Group, "Contribution to Climate Change Issues and Realization of Carbon Neutrality" is positioned as a priority, and the company is promoting the reduction of environmental impact throughout the entire supply chain of its business activities. Initiatives are also being advanced 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