ITOCHU Announces First Blue Carbon Credits Generated Through Mangrove Planting in Japan
J Blue Credit® Certification Obtained for Mangrove Planting Project with Uken Village of Amami Oshima Island
December 22, 2025
ITOCHU Corporation (Headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Keita Ishii, President & COO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) announced today that it obtained J Blue Credit®*1 certification of Mangrove Planting Project with Uken Village of Amami Oshima Island (hereinafter the “Project”) on December 19, 2025. ITOCHU has been jointly promoting the Project with Uken Village in Amami Oshima since 2021. This is the first Project that blue carbon credits have been generated through mangrove planting in Japan.*2
Uken Village on the west coast of Amami Oshima has been planting mangroves with the involvement of local elementary school students since 2014 as an initiative to encourage local children to have pride in local nature. Since 2021, ITOCHU has participated in and supported mangrove planting activities as a social contribution activity for environmental conservation and growth of future generations. It has been aiming to generate blue carbon credits and contribute to nature positivity. Mangroves are noted for their high CO₂ absorption per unit of area, and they are increasingly being seen as a means for countering climate change. It is also expected that the Project will help conserve Amami’s unique natural environment and biodiversity.
This J Blue Credit® certification that has been obtained currently covers an afforested area of approximately 1,073 m². Through ongoing activities, we will continue to promote blue carbon*3 initiatives in Japan and step up our efforts to address environmental issues.
Furthermore, in 2023, ITOCHU, Uken Village, Sophia School Corporation, and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. signed a partnership agreement related to the Project, and are jointly working on local environmental conservation and revitalization activities. Employees and students are actively participating in experience-based tours and environmental education activities centered on mangrove planting, and by collaborating with the local community, we are contributing to the development of the next generation of environmental leaders and the revitalization of the regional economy.
Certification Details
| Project Name | Mangrove Planting Project with Uken Village of Amami Oshima Island |
|---|---|
| Applicants | ITOCHU Corporation, Uken Village |
| Credit Holder | Uken Village (holding for the realization of a zero-carbon city) |
| Location | Edateku Island, Uken, Uken Village, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
| Project Start | August 2021 |
| Certified Absorption Amount | 0.3 t-CO2 |
| Certified Afforested Area | Approx 1,073 m2 |
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Amami Oshima Uken Village Map |
ITOCHU employees, Uken Village officials, Sophia University students, and JAL employees planting mangroves (2024) |
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*1J Blue Credits®:
CO₂ absorption credits issued by the Japan Blue Economy Association (JBE), an organization authorized by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Credits are certified, issued, and managed by JBE after review and recommendations by an independent third-party committee. Credit purchasers, such as companies, can offset greenhouse gas emissions that cannot be reduced through their own efforts using purchased credits. - *2At the same time, a blue carbon project involving mangrove planting in Setouchi Town, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture also obtained J Blue Credit® certification.
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*3Blue carbon:
Carbon absorbed by terrestrial ecosystems such as forests is referred to as green carbon, while carbon absorbed by coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal flats, and seagrass beds is called blue carbon. Mangroves are especially known for their high CO₂ absorption per unit of area.