Ryohin Keikaku's Answer to Launch a Power Generation Business

In September 2025, Ryohin Keikaku established MUJI ENERGY LLC in partnership with JERA Co., Inc. (JERA), launching a power generation business. This marks a new serious challenge to confront the goal of reducing CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2*1) by 50% by fiscal year 2030 compared to 2021 levels. Why did we choose to "create energy with our own hands?" We introduce Ryohin Keikaku’s characteristic approach that lies behind this decision.

 *1 Scope1 refers to direct CO₂ emissions from our own operations. Scope 2 refers to indirect CO₂emissions from energy sources such as electricity, heat, and steam purchased and used by our company.

Taking the next step to surpass "limits"

To overcome this "limit" and achieve both corporate growth through store expansion and the responsibility of reducing CO₂ emissions, a "next step" was necessary.

Various methods exist for CO₂ reduction, such as purchasing non-fossil certificates or Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (V-PPA) *2. However, behind these, there are also cases where environmental destruction, such as deforestation, and damage to local landscapes occur for installing solar power equipment.

Born as an antithesis to mass production and mass consumption, Ryohin Keikaku has upheld the corporate philosophy of contributing to the realization of "a truthful and sustainable life for all." For this reason, we wanted to take responsibility for the entire electricity generation process, verify sites with our own eyes, and tackle with CO₂ reduction by generating electricity ourselves in a manner considerate of the environment and landscape. Driven by this conviction, our challenge to embark on our own power generation business began.

 *2 V-PPA (Virtual Power Purchase Agreement) refers to a mechanism where a company enters into a "virtual" contract with a specific power plant, allowing it to be recognized as having used renewable energy.

Contributing to a Decarbonized Society with the First Scheme in Japan

Through MUJI ENERGY, we sell electricity generated from solar power to third parties, allowing us to acquire (purchase) the associated "environmental value" (the value of electricity that does not emit CO₂) via JERA Cross Co., Inc. (JERA Cross) This mechanism is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 8,000 tons annually.

This marks the first time in Japan that a retailer has fully committed to creating renewable energy and environmental value through a "power generation business + V-PPA" scheme. Thanks to the passion of JERA and JERA Cross, who shared our unique vision and took on new challenges together, we have embarked on the first initiative in Japan that takes responsibility for "how electricity is generated."

The Story Behind Small-Scale Solar Power

We visit every potential solar panel installation site and rigorously verify them against our own strict evaluation criteria. This includes "no deforestation or large-scale land development," "avoidance of densely populated residential areas," and "minimizing impact on landscapes and ecosystems." By comprehensively assessing the impact on local residents and the environment, our staff meticulously examine each site by themselves to ensure we avoid the contradiction of "destroying the environment to achieve decarbonization."

Furthermore, we have established the "Solar Power Generation Equipment Procurement Guidelines," which include the principles that "no human rights violations, such as forced labor, occur in the manufacturing of equipment" and that "materials and equipment used are recyclable or can be properly disposed of after use." Taking responsibility for social and environmental considerations throughout the entire lifecycle, from manufacturing to post-use, is our unwavering stance.

Roadmap for CO₂ Reduction by 2030

The power generation business will be central to achieving the goal of "reducing CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 50% by fiscal year 2030."

In the first year, we will begin with the development of a 13MW-scale power generation facility. The electricity generated by this will account to approximately 20% of the electricity consumed by MUJI stores in a year, and is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 8,000 tons per year. However, we do not wish to pursue target figures at the expense of the environment or by imposing burdens on local communities. Therefore, MUJI ENERGY is exploring collaborations with primary industries, such as combining solar power generation with agriculture or dairy farming, in addition to utilizing abandoned farmland.

We will pursue to achieve our own goal without excluding any possibilities—whether installing solar power systems and renewable energy menus in stores, making energy-saving efforts, or taking on new challenges like “generating our own electricity.”

We take responsibility for the entire electricity generation process, inspect sites by ourselves, and engage in power generation that reflects Ryohin Keikaku's commitment to quality—considering the environment and landscape—to contribute to a decarbonized society.

Related Pages

MUJI ENERGY web page
Response to Climate Change