Green Carbon, as Japan’s No. 1 Developer, Promotes the Spread of JCM and Compliance Credits
Green Carbon Inc. (CEO: Jun Okita), a provider of nature-based carbon credit creation and sales, announced it has co-hosted a major event in Hanoi with government agencies. The seminar brought together representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to promote the creation of agriculture-derived carbon credits in Vietnam.
The seminar focused specifically on advancing the adoption of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)※1 and compliance credits, aiming to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable development in Vietnam’s agricultural sector. In conjunction with the event, Green Carbon has also launched its official corporate webpage for Vietnam to expand its large-scale operations in the country.
〇Vietnam Homepage: [URL]
◆Background of the Seminar
Green Carbon is dedicated to creating nature-based carbon credits, with a focus on Southeast Asia. The company is involved in a wide range of projects, including forest conservation, rice paddy and mangrove restoration, reduction of methane emissions from cattle, and biochar projects. Green Carbon develops carbon credit projects tailored to the specific natural resources of each region and ensures efficient and transparent project management by using satellite data for site selection and monitoring.
In Vietnam, the company’s main focus is on reducing methane gas emissions from rice paddies using Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)※2. In August 2024, Green Carbon established a branch office in Vietnam and has since signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with 22 provinces to advance project development.
Building on this track record, Green Carbon co-hosted this seminar with the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPAE) of Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Hanoi School of Business and Management (HSB) of Vietnam National University. The seminar aimed to promote the creation of agriculture-derived carbon credits and the adoption of the JCM and compliance credits.
To enhance the seminar’s impact, Green Carbon invited representatives from various government agencies (MARD, MAFF, MTI), research institutions, and private companies to speak, fostering a lively discussion on the international development of carbon credits.
〇A glimpse of the seminar
◆Seminar Outline
Title: Low-emission Rice and Climate Financing Discussion Series
Date & Time: Monday, June 30, 2025
- Japan Standard Time (GMT+9): 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM (includes guest reception from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM)
Hosted by:
- Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), Vietnam
- Hanoi School of Business and Management (HSB), Vietnam National University
- Green Carbon Inc.
〇 Speaking Government Agencies, Companies, and Presentation Details
| COO, Green Carbon Inc. | Sharing an overview of Green Carbon’s long-term results and strategy, and its vision for the future of agricultural carbon credits. |
| International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Vietnam | The Vietnamese government’s initiatives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and promoting international cooperation. |
| Carbon Market Division, Department of Climate Change, MAE | The Vietnamese government’s efforts regarding greenhouse gas emission reductions in agriculture and international cooperation based on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. |
| Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, MAE | The Vietnamese government’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cropping systems, including rice cultivation. |
| Deputy Director, International Strategy Group, Export and International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan | The contribution of the JCM to the international carbon credit market and the benefits of Japan’s advanced rice cultivation technology for Vietnamese farmers. |
| Assistant Director, International Trade Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Singapore | Sharing perspectives and expectations on the international carbon market and credit market (including Singapore’s approach to Article 6.2). |
| Manager, GREEN CARBON JAPAN VIETNAM CO., LTD. | Introduction to Green Carbon’s initiatives and case studies in Vietnam. |
| Deputy Director, Center for Organic Agriculture Training, Vietnam National University of Agriculture | A report on AWD demonstration experiments in Vietnam (including scientific results, farmer implementation methods, and feedback). |
| Assistant to the President, Idemitsu Vietnam Co., Ltd. (IKCV) | Expectations for the creation of carbon credits and international carbon credits through AWD. |
| GX Business Promotion Department, Kanematsu Corporation | Expectations for the sale of rice produced using AWD and for Green Carbon’s projects aimed at improving rice quality. |
The seminar was attended by over 60 stakeholders, including executives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE); technical staff and researchers from the Department of Crop Production, the International Cooperation Department, and ISPAE; and representatives from Japan’s MAFF and Singapore’s MTI. Key international organizations were also present, such as Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Research partners from major Japanese companies, including Kanematsu Corporation and Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., as well as academic institutions from both Japan and Vietnam, also participated.
〇 Featured in an article by Vietnam Investment Review (VIR), a major Vietnamese media outlet
◆Specific Details of the Seminar
| MAE |
|---|
| A senior leader from MAE emphasized Vietnam’s strong commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and developing a robust agricultural carbon market. |
| MAE International Cooperation Department |
|---|
| MAE International Cooperation Department spoke on international policy trends and cooperation frameworks. |
| MAE Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection |
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| MAE Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection delivered a keynote address on methane reduction strategies in Vietnam’s rice cultivation. The speech shared concrete results from the large-scale implementation of AWD and outlined support policies for farmers and stakeholders in the carbon credit market. |
| ISPAE |
|---|
| ISPAE presented research findings and recommendations on carbon credit policies in the agricultural sector. Representatives from the Japanese and Singaporean governments shared their experiences implementing carbon market mechanisms under Article 6 and highlighted opportunities for bilateral cooperation. |
| Green Carbon Inc. |
|---|
| Green Carbon Inc. reported on the success of its AWD pilot projects across 19 provinces, which resulted in a 55% reduction in methane emissions and a 5% increase in rice yields, enabling the export of low-emission rice to Japanese and international markets. Major corporations and international organizations discussed the use of digital technology, AI, and remote sensing for emissions measurement, market management, and expanding collaboration between businesses and farmers in Vietnam’s agricultural carbon market. |
Participants agreed that a partnership model involving government, businesses, research institutions, and international organizations is essential for the successful development of an agricultural carbon credit market in Vietnam. The AWD project, with its demonstrated environmental and economic benefits, was recognized as a best practice, laying the foundation for branding and exporting “Green Rice.” The conference facilitated policy exchange, shared practical experiences, and broadened pathways for international cooperation in sustainable agriculture and carbon markets.
Based on these discussions, the following key recommendations were proposed for the future:
| Further improve the legal framework and support policies for agricultural carbon credits. |
| Expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation. |
| Accelerate the application of digital and remote sensing technologies for emissions monitoring. |
| Maintain regular stakeholder engagement to address challenges and promote sustainable development. |
The seminar, held on the morning of June 30, 2025, provided a dynamic platform for promoting multi-sectoral dialogue, raising awareness, and fostering practical collaboration.
※1: JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism)
The JCM is a system where Japan contributes to greenhouse gas emission reductions in partner countries through the diffusion of its leading decarbonization technologies. The resulting reductions are then used to help both countries achieve their emission reduction targets.
※2: Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
AWD is a water management technique for rice paddies where fields are alternately flooded and allowed to dry naturally every few days, guided by the water level. This method limits the activity of methane-producing bacteria that thrive in continuously flooded conditions, effectively reducing methane emissions while maintaining rice production. Compared to continuous flooding, AWD also reduces water usage, contributing to the conservation of water resources. Furthermore, it has been confirmed to promote earthworm activity, reduce pest and disease damage, increase lodging resistance, and improve both the yield and quality of rice.
◆Green Carbon Inc.
Representative: Jun Okita, CEO
Location: Hanzomon PREX North 9F, 2-3-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: December 2019
Business: Creation and sales of carbon credits, agriculture-related business, environmental initiatives, other related ventures, and ESG consulting.
URL: https://green-carbon.co.jp/
◆GREEN CARBON JAPAN VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED
Abbreviation: GREEN CARBON JAPAN VIETNAM CO., LTD
Representative: Jun Okita, CEO
Location: 10th Floor, The Nexus Building, 34-3B Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Established: August 2024
Business: Creation and sales of carbon credits, agriculture-related business.
URL: https://green-carbon.vn/
◆Green Carbon Business Introduction
With the vision “To Save the Earth with the Power of Life,” Green Carbon operates a business that provides end-to-end support for the creation, registration, and sale of nature-based carbon credits, both in Japan and internationally. The company is also engaged in agriculture-related projects, research and development, and ESG consulting.
Its business operations have expanded from Japan and Southeast Asia to Australia and South America, creating nature-based carbon credits from sources such as rice paddies, biochar, forest conservation, carbon farming, mangrove restoration, and cattle burps. In fiscal year 2023, the company achieved Japan’s first and largest certification of J-Credits from rice paddies (approx. 6,220 tons), which expanded to approximately 40,000 hectares (approx. 80,000 tons) in fiscal year 2024. Additionally, Green Carbon offers “Agreen,” a one-platform service that handles everything from credit registration and application to sales, simplifying procedures and paperwork to reduce the workload for credit creators.