#Japan #Carbon Market #Carbon Credit #Minato #exroad

Introducing "CARBON JUNCTION - The Intersection of My Life and the Carbon Market"

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new column, "CARBON JUNCTION - The Intersection of My Life and the Carbon Market," curated by Exroad Co., Ltd., a company based in Minato City, Tokyo, specializing in providing an all-in-one database for carbon credits and emission trading systems.

In this series, individuals involved in the carbon market will recount how they ventured into this field and what their current thoughts and visions are. Our aim is to create content that allows readers to truly connect with the personalities behind these narratives, diving not only into their careers and accomplishments but also into the formative experiences that led them here.

More than just a column, this initiative seeks to establish new bridges within the industry. We hope to spark conversations and connections with phrases like, “I saw you in CARBON JUNCTION the other day” or “I read your piece and totally related.” We want to facilitate dialogue that resonates across and beyond the industry.

CARBON JUNCTION Vol.1

Keisuke Kimura, CEO of Exroad

Background

After joining Mitsubishi Corporation in 2008, Keisuke Kimura devoted his efforts to carbon credits, electric vehicles, and leasing business development. He spent a portion of his career as a director in charge of business planning and development at a UK subsidiary from 2018 to 2020, later founding Exroad in 2022.

During his student days, Kimura traveled the world on a backpacking trip funded by part-time jobs. He vividly remembers visiting ASEAN countries, where the energy of economic growth was palpable with towering skyscrapers and highways under construction. However, he couldn't ignore the environmental issues — smog from exhaust and mountains of trash that made him realize he wanted to work in a sector that addressed these concerns.

While job hunting, he focused on general trading companies and spoke passionately about his desire for a global role in the environment during interviews. It was a period coinciding with the inception of the EU-ETS, instilling a keen interest in the emissions trading business. After receiving several job offers, Kimura joined Mitsubishi Corporation in 2008, specifically in the automotive division. His early work included exporting Japanese vehicles to Latin America. Ironically, the pickups he sold were popular for their durability, yet their fuel efficiency left much to be desired. Reading Ryo Kuroki's book, "The Emissions Trader," sparked the thought of offsetting vehicles' emissions.

When the Lehman Brothers crisis hit and export operations nearly halted, he sought to create credits based on EVs and presented his ideas to management. Unfortunately, his young and ambitious proposal went unnoticed. Despite this setback, he remained dedicated to the automotive business with multiple trips to Latin America and even a language training stint in Brazil, where he learned invaluable lessons that still resonate with him today.

In Brazil, he took a memorable photo with local friends around 15 years ago, a place that is now set to host COP30. That period deepened his concern about climate change and environmental issues.

Fast forward over a decade: Kimura unexpectedly found himself back in the field he once longed for while stationed in the UK, where he tackled new business ventures involving EVs and renewable energy. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit hard, and survival consumed daily life, overshadowing business development. Upon returning to Japan, he honed his expertise in EV and MaaS business development and battery strategies, only to receive an invitation from his superior to join the carbon credit business development task force — a twist of fate that brought him back to his passion.

The team he was a part of included leading figures in Japan's carbon credit sector, a fortunate environment he realized he was in only in hindsight. Attending Waseda Business School opened his eyes to diverse perspectives and the notion that his life was unique — prompting thoughts of attempting entrepreneurship. In 2022, he launched Exroad to manifest his vision. Now, he aids companies in refining their research workflows related to carbon credits while promoting solutions to combat climate change.

Reflecting on his journey filled with ups and downs, Kimura feels a strong sense of coherence in his past decisions and endeavors. He aims to contribute in his unique way to invigorating the Japanese economy and safeguarding the planet's future.

Stay tuned as we bring in more contributors from the carbon market in the upcoming installments of CARBON JUNCTION!

We also distribute CARBON JUNCTION via our newsletter. Members can find highlights and insights into the carbon credit market, so we encourage signing up!

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Company Overview
Name: Exroad Co., Ltd.
Location: Minato City, Tokyo
CEO: Keisuke Kimura
Founded: March 2022
Services Offered: Comprehensive database for carbon credits and emission trading systems
URL: Exroad Website

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