Jizoku Inc. Featured in Hitotsubashi University PR Magazine “HQ”

Jizoku Inc. (CEO: Keiichiro Kataoka) is pleased to announce that our company and CEO have been featured in Hitotsubashi University’s official PR web magazine HQ in the INNOVATION section, in a special feature titled “Startup Support Reveals Hitotsubashi University’s Potential.”

In this feature, Mr. Kataoka, an alumnus of the Faculty of Economics, is introduced as one of the entrepreneurs certified under the “Hitotsubashi University-Originated Venture / Hitotsubashi University-Originated Student Venture” recognition program.

About the Feature Article

The article highlights Jizoku’s business activities, in particular how we:

Create carbon credits in the agricultural sector, and
Provide new revenue models for rural farming communities in Japan.

It also touches on how Mr. Kataoka first became interested in this field through research on environmental economics and carbon credits in Professor Hidetoshi Yamashita’s seminar at Hitotsubashi University’s Faculty of Economics, where he learned about cases of U.S. farmers increasing their income through carbon credits. This experience later became the starting point for Jizoku’s current business.

In addition, the article introduces how Jizoku:

Promotes the introduction of carbon-credit schemes to farmers in collaboration with local students, agricultural machinery manufacturers, and regional financial institutions
Proposes the use of carbon credits—looking ahead to and beyond 2028—to companies with high CO₂ emissions, such as energy-related businesses
Has been supported by companies whose motivation to purchase credits is driven by a desire to “contribute to Japanese agriculture”

Through these points, the feature provides an in-depth look at Jizoku’s business model and its social impact.

Furthermore, the article mentions that, through Hitotsubashi University’s Incubation Base (HIB) and the “Hitotsubashi University-Originated Venture” title program, Jizoku has received significant support from the university’s faculty and alumni network. It also introduces Mr. Kataoka’s comments on how this network has been a powerful asset during critical business negotiations.

Collaboration with Hitotsubashi University and Future Outlook

Since being certified as a “Hitotsubashi University-Originated Venture,” Jizoku Inc. has advanced its business by closely collaborating with Hitotsubashi University’s frameworks for research, education, and startup support.

Going forward, we will continue to:

Create new business opportunities in collaboration with universities, researchers, and students
Expand our carbon credit business through partnerships with local governments, financial institutions, and agricultural stakeholders
Build business models that deliver long-term value to Japanese agriculture and regional economies

By doing so, we aim to realize both a more sustainable society and value creation originating from local communities.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support of Jizoku Inc.

About Hitotsubashi University PR Magazine “HQ”

Hitotsubashi University PR Magazine “HQ” is the university’s official online PR web magazine, sharing stories about its initiatives, research achievements, and the activities of students, alumni, and partner organizations.

Covering a wide range of topics—from cutting-edge research in the social sciences to innovation, international collaboration, and diverse campus life—HQ communicates the appeal and potential of Hitotsubashi University to audiences both inside and outside the university.

Published mainly online, HQ serves as a key communication platform that delivers the “current Hitotsubashi University” in an accessible way to various stakeholders, including prospective students, current students, alumni, companies, and local governments.