Strategic Partnership for Circular Economy
On June 23, 2025, JA Mitsui Lease Co., Ltd. and JA Mitsui Lease Asset Co., Ltd., both headquartered in Tokyo, entered into a business partnership with Re-tem Co., Ltd. This collaboration aims to accelerate initiatives toward a circular economy by addressing environmental challenges faced by clients through enhanced recycling and resource reuse efforts.
Context and Objectives of the Partnership
The global shift towards a circular economy has become a vital international trend in achieving a sustainable society. In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has outlined a "Growth-Oriented Resource Autonomous Economic Strategy" in 2023, targeting a significant expansion of the circular economy market—from 50 trillion yen in 2020 to 80 trillion yen by 2030 and reaching 120 trillion yen by 2050. This growth reflects a pressing demand for companies to transition toward resource-circular business models.
A pronounced societal issue has emerged with the disposal of solar panels, many of which will reach the end of their useful life within 20 to 30 years. The Ministry of the Environment estimates that by the late 2030s, Japan will face an annual waste output ranging from 500,000 to 800,000 tons due to discarded solar panels.
Under these circumstances, JA Mitsui Lease Group and Re-tem have established this partnership to facilitate the reduction of environmental impact and effective resource utilization through the reuse and recycling of lease-expired equipment.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The partnership will focus on several critical areas:
- - Enhancing the re-resource process for lease-expired products and improving operational efficiency.
- - Supporting the reuse of information devices through safe data erasure and collection efforts.
- - Promoting the recycling and reuse of items, including solar panels.
- - Jointly hosting seminars on related regulations and environmental responses for clients focusing on decarbonization.
- - Exploring diverse solutions aimed at realizing a circular society.
By merging Re-tem's advanced recycling technologies and processing infrastructure with JA Mitsui Lease Group's extensive customer base and expertise in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (the 3Rs), the partnership seeks to construct and expand a resource-circular business framework, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
Each Company’s Commitment to Circular Economy Initiatives
JA Mitsui Lease Group positions the promotion of the circular economy as one of its crucial sustainability management priorities. In the fiscal year ending March 2025, the group achieved a recycling rate of 99.8% for leased-returned items, significantly surpassing its target of 95%—demonstrating its steadfast progress toward establishing a circular society.
Beginning in 2025, the group will enhance its sustainability management initiatives under its new mid-term management plan, "Sustainable Evolution 2028," focusing on deepening sustainability efforts across the organization.
Re-tem, established in 1909, specializes in waste and resource recycling and environmental consulting. With its recycling facilities and nationwide network, Re-tem is committed to realizing a circular economy through both reuse and recycling efforts and contributing to a sustainable society.
About Re-tem Co., Ltd.
- - Location: 3-6-10 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- - Business Focus: Recycling of composite metals, reuse of parts and equipment, buying and selling steel materials and non-ferrous metal resources, building and structure dismantling, relocation and removal, consulting on resource recycling.
- - CEO: Akira Nakajima
- - Website: Re-tem
Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The partnership aligns with various SDGs, reinforcing the sentiment for sustainable practices and resource management in our economy.
Inquiries
For further information, please contact:
JA Mitsui Lease Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communication Office, Management Administration Department
Tel: 03-6775-3002
Email: JAMLDG1114@jamitsuilease.co.jp
JA Mitsui Lease Asset Co., Ltd.
Planning Management Department, Planning Office
Tel: 03-6775-3091
Email: JAMLDG8006@jamitsuilease.co.jp