Sustainability at Tokyo Century Group Highly Significant Social Initiatives through our Business Activities

As part of our efforts to realize energy creation business that utilizes public infrastructure (e.g., wastewater treatment plants) and regional resources, we intend to work with Tsukishima Kikai to develop power generation business utilizing digestion gas (biogas) generated at wastewater treatment plants. Digestion gas is flammable and primarily comprised of methane, generated in the process of sewage treatment. This previously untapped resource of renewable energy is expected to be used effectively in preventing global warming.
This business system is structured with private enterprises constructing power generation facilities using their own funds and know-how. We have undertaken the power generation business for 20 years by utilizing digestion gas purchased from municipalities and sell the electricity generated to power companies. While not needing to provide any business funds or own property, the local government earns revenue from the land used for construction and supply of digestion gas.
By combining Tokyo Century’s expertise gained in the renewable energy business and financial services along with the energy creation business in the wastewater treatment field which Tsukishima Kikai excels, we are committed to creating an environmentally sound, sustainable economy and society through operation of stable power generation business.

Tokyo Century believes that revitalization through tourism is a key countermeasure to the social issue of the depopulation of regional areas. As part of our efforts to address this challenge, we have been involved in developing the ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, a spa resort by an international five-star hotel brand. Having opened in August 2019, the hotel will appeal to tourists from around the world seeking a luxury experience and is expected to make Beppu City, already one of Japan’s most famous hot spring areas, a global tourist destination.

Demand has recently been increasing for LNG as a clean form of energy due to the lower emissions of CO2 and nitrogen oxides when combusted compared to other fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. In this context, Tokyo Century has become the first leasing company to participate in an ownership of a newly built LNG carrier as part of its efforts to contribute to the stable transportation of energy. The adoption of cutting-edge environmental technologies, such as improvements in propulsion performance from an optimized hull shape to achieve 25% higher fuel efficiency than that of conventional carriers, means our jointly owned LNG carrier also reduces environmental impact during navigation.

In January 2017, Nippon Rent-A-Car Service, Inc. began introducing vehicles fitted with ASV* to prevent customer traffic accidents and offer safe, trusted vehicles. As of May 2019, ASV-equipped vehicles accounted for approximately 85% (around 32,000 vehicles) of its total fleet.
Prior to the introduction of ASV, roughly 18% of all customer accidents were attributed to carelessness associated with such factors as a failure to check the road ahead properly. Some of these accidents, such as low-speed collisions in traffic jams and crossing the center line, could have been prevented by ASV.
In addition, the company has decided to install drive recorders as standard equipment in all new cars introduced starting in July 2019. We will continue offering safe, trusted, and comfortable rent-a-cars, and implement measures to reduce traffic accidents and the social concerns over hazardous driving.
* Advanced Safety Vehicle: A vehicle with an onboard system that supports safe driving through equipment such as an advanced emergency breaking system, adaptive cruise control, a lane keeping assistant, and electronic vehicle stability control.

Tokyo Century raised ¥10 billion through the issuance of green bonds (unsecured bonds)* by public offering in October 2018. The funds were allocated for leasing solar power generation facilities for our consolidated subsidiary Kyocera TCL Solar. Since its establishment in August 2012, Kyocera TCL Solar has operated and managed solar power plants in more than 70 locations across Japan. We remain committed to promoting renewable energy as well as contributing to environmental protection.
* These bonds are issued to raise funds for green projects that aim to resolve environmental issues.