The fuel efficiency of general-route buses in FY2022 was 5.6% higher than in 2004, before the introduction of digital tachographs, due to careful environmentally friendly driving.
Operation management by digital tachographs
A digital tachograph is used to record detailed information such as running speed, engine RPM, and distance traveled during operation for analysis and evaluation. In this context, we are making efforts in operation management to maximize the effects of improvements in fuel efficiency, such as evaluating not only the number of times idling stops are performed but also the quality of whether they are performed for a certain time or longer.
Environmentally friendly driving commendation system
Since 2009, we have been giving out “Eco-driving Awards” to crew members who have made diligent efforts to drive in an environmentally-friendly manner. In FY 2019, 94 crew members received awards, helping to raise each individual's awareness of environmentally friendly driving.
*The awards ceremony for FY2020-2022 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In introducing new vehicles, we have introduced vehicles that comply with the latest exhaust gas regulations and are low-pollution vehicles that emit almost no nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other harmful substances. In addition, electric buses are being introduced to reduce CO2 emissions.
Idling stop system
We have been promoting idling-stop systems to save fuel and reduce exhaust emissions, but we had a problem in that air conditioning was not available when the vehicles were stopped. Vehicles introduced in 2009 and later are equipped with a device that allows cooling airflow during idling-stop (automatic idling-stop system). As of the end of FY2022, 1,210 units have been installed, with plans for further expansion.
Hybrid buses
We have introduced hybrid buses that combine a diesel engine and an electric motor to utilize energy stored during deceleration for heavy-load starting and acceleration. With the cooperation of the national government and related local governments, we began introducing these vehicles in FY2008, and 20 vehicles are in operation as of the end of FY2022.
Electric buses
As part of efforts to become carbon-neutral by 2050, the Automotive Business Division is expanding the introduction of electric buses.
In February 2020, one electric bus, converted from a diesel vehicle, was introduced at the Island City Sales Office. In October 2021, a modified electric bus provided by Sumitomo Corporation was additionally introduced to the sales office, and a verification experiment on energy management for the entire sales office was conducted using two electric buses, utilizing a large-capacity charge/discharge unit developed by Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. As a result, it was confirmed that the utilization of two electric buses can contribute to shifting electricity peaks.
Electric buses not only reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 50% compared to diesel buses, but are also expected to be used as emergency power sources in times of disaster.
Retrofitted electric buses
In June 2022, we introduced the first prototype of the “Retrofitted Electric Bus,” an electrified version of an existing diesel bus 13 to 15 years old that we have been developing since FY2020, to one route in Kitakyushu City, and in March 2023, we introduced two more buses to Fukuoka City routes.
There are many examples of converted electric buses in Japan, but this is a rare example of converting a used bus to electric power.
Solar panels have been installed at bus stops in Fukuoka City since August 2012. As of the end of FY2022, solar panels with a total output of 20 W have been installed at 27 locations. All electricity generated is used to illuminate bus stops (destination signs) in an effort to save electricity.
In recognition of the improvement of fuel efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gases through the promotion of environmentally friendly driving, the company received the “Fukuoka Prefecture Governor's Commendation for Achievement in Promoting the Formation of a Recycling-Oriented Society” in fiscal 2017. The entire Automotive Business Division has been continuously working on activities to reduce environmental impact since 2004, and this recognition is a testament to the success of these efforts.
In the FY2019 Eco-Friendly Business Office Awards (results of FY2018 initiatives), the Katae Sales Office received the top prize in the ”Other Earth-Friendly Activities” category. This was in recognition of their efforts to significantly reduce CO2 emissions by introducing fuel-efficient buses, promoting park-and-ride programs, holding special classes on environmental themes in local communities, and implementing environmentally friendly driving during bus operations.
Fukuoka Komatsu Forklift Corporation is working to expand sales of large forklifts that meet 2014 standards for emissions from specified special motor vehicles and that combine environmental performance with low fuel consumption and workability, and high-performance electric forklifts with excellent water and dust resistance, based on Komatsu's proprietary technologies.
We will continue our efforts to reduce environmental impact by expanding sales of forklifts with superior environmental performance and promoting energy conservation and CO2 reduction at our customers' sites.
On the Tenjin-Omuta Line, we are promoting the introduction of new types of rolling stock (VVVF cars) equipped with VVVF inverter controllers with excellent power efficiency and power-regenerative brakes that return power generated during braking to the power-supply side, in an effort to reduce power consumption during operation. For incidental power, we are promoting energy-saving measures such as the use of LEDs for lighting in stations, traffic signals, and railroad-crossing warning lights.
As for the Tenjin-Omuta Line, the introduction of new types of rolling stock is progressing, and at the end of March 2023, VVVF cars will have accounted for 55% of the total fleet with 154 cars out of a total of 281 cars, and electricity consumption is on a downward trend.
Electricity consumption and operating intensity of the Tenjin-Omuta Line
Chikuho Electric Railroad Co., Ltd. has introduced four new low-floor LRV5000 trains with VVVF inverter controllers that provide excellent power efficiency, power-regenerative brakes that return power generated during braking to the power-supply side, and LED lighting inside the trains, in an effort to reduce power consumption during operation.
As for incidental power, we have completed the conversion of all station buildings, railroad crossings, signals, and interior lighting to LEDs. Energy-saving lighting in building facilities has been and will continue to be phased in.
Energy-saving activities
The Vehicle Maintenance Section is working to reduce electricity, water, paper, heavy oil, and kerosene consumption by turning off lights during lunch breaks, adjusting air conditioner temperatures, installing water-saving panels, using circulars and e-mails, adjusting boiler operating hours, and reviewing the car-washing process.
Reuse of rags
Reuse of copier paper backing
Energy saving promotion poster
Proper management of waste
The Vehicle Maintenance Section manages the generation of general, industrial, and special industrial waste. Among them, we prepare manifests for industrial waste and special industrial waste, and manage all processes from waste transportation, intermediate treatment, and final disposal to prevent environmental pollution and illegal dumping caused by improper disposal. In addition, waste is sorted into small categories such as metal, glass, fluorescent light bulbs, etc., and carried out to contractors as recyclable resources.
Proper management of waste oil and prevention of leakage
Dump site
Separate collection of waste
Separate collection of waste
Compliance with environmental laws and regulations
The main laws that apply to the Vehicle Maintenance Section include the following:
- Basic Act on the Environment
- Basic Act on Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society
- Air Pollution Control Act
- Vibration Regulation Act
- Noise Regulation Act
- Water Pollution Control Act
- Purification Tank Act
- Act on Waste Management and Public Cleansing
- Act on Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances
- Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons
- Fire Service Act
- Cabinet Order on Regulation of Hazardous Materials
- Offensive Odor Control Act
- Act on the Assessment of Releases of Specified Chemical Substances in the Environment and the Promotion of Management Improvement (PRTR Law)
- Regulations on Prevention of Dust Disorders
- Regulations on Prevention of Organic Solvent Poisoning, etc.
The Fukuoka Building Block Development Project was adopted as a ZEB (zero-emissions building) (*1) demonstration project by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on July 29, 2022. We are now working to make the office area ZEB Ready (*2) and the entire building ZEB Oriented (*3) through the introduction of equipment and devices with high environmental performance. In addition, we will register as a ZEB Leading Owner to promote the spread of ZEBs.
*1 ZEB: A building that aims to achieve a comfortable indoor environment while reducing the annual primary energy balance consumed by the building to zero.
*2 ZEB Ready: An advanced building with a highly insulated envelope and high-efficiency energy-saving equipment, with a view to becoming a ZEB.
*3 ZEB Oriented: Buildings that have taken measures to achieve further energy savings, in addition to the high performance of the building envelope and high-efficiency energy-saving equipment, as buildings designed to be ZEB Ready.
Three of our facilities—Solaria Stage, Solaria Plaza, and RAIRIA Ohashi—are participating in Fukuoka City's “Cool Share Fukuoka” initiative.
By encouraging customers to use commercial facilities (cool share spots) as places to take a break during summer outings, we will reduce the use of air conditioners and other devices at home, thereby contributing to energy conservation and lower CO2 emissions.
Hakata Bus Terminal Co., Ltd. adopted a thermal storage air conditioning system, which is the best in terms of energy conservation and environmental friendliness, and upgraded its heat source equipment to the latest high-efficiency heat pumps in response to the aging facilities. At the same time, the store systematically switched to LED lighting, resulting in a reduction of approximately 170 kW in peak daytime power consumption and a 30% reduction in annual power consumption for air conditioning equipment compared to the previous year.
The results of these efforts were recognized with the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director-General's Award in the 2015 Awards for Excellent Energy Management Factories. We will continue to actively work on operational improvements that save energy and costs, and strive to reduce our environmental impact.
Nishitetsu Wellness Co., Ltd. is promoting the use of LEDs at all of its facilities. The Nishijin Palace Dome plans to replace mercury lamps in the building with LED lighting.
In addition, multiple trash cans are installed at the head office to ensure thorough separation of trash.
We will continue our efforts to switch to LED lighting and reduce environmental impact.
INCUBE Nishitetsu Co., Ltd. has been promoting the use of LED lighting fixtures in each of its stores since FY2014. In FY2022, in addition to the two newly opened stores, a total of six stores, four of which opened before 2014, were converted to LED lighting in conjunction with renovation work, and as of March 2023, 18 stores have been converted to LED lighting.
In the future, the two stores that have not yet been converted to LED will also be updated in conjunction with the renovation work to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.
At Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel, Nishitetsu Hotel Croom, and Nishitetsu Inn, ecology cards are available in guest rooms, and at the request of guests, beds are made up on consecutive nights with eco-friendly cleaning that does not involve changing sheets and room clothes.
In conjunction with hotel renovations, we are also working to reduce CO2 emissions and protect environmental resources by updating to LED lighting and replacing showerheads with water-saving models.
The Nishitetsu Hotel Group is working to reduce plastic amenities in line with the April 2022 enactment of the Law Concerning the Promotion of Resource Recycling of Plastics.
For the 16 domestic sites of Nishitetsu Inn, Nishitetsu Hotel Croom, and Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel, the permanent installation of guest room amenities was discontinued on June 1, 2022, and an amenity bar was set up in the front lobby. By allowing customers to choose only the amenities they need, we reduce the amount of plastic and waste. In addition, we will strive to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions by sequentially replacing current plastic amenity materials with environmentally friendly materials (e.g., partially blended with bamboo and sugarcane).
The International Logistics Division is working with customers to build a sustainable logistics system by reducing the environmental impact in the logistics field and improving logistics productivity.
Response to modal shift
We propose to change from truck to rail transportation for domestic transportation, especially for long-distance transportation. Rail transportation is expected to have the effect of reducing CO2 emissions to less than one-eleventh that of transportation by truck over the same distance. (*1)
We have also begun to handle bonded freight forwarding of cargo from Osaka to Tokyo by rail. (*2)
Assume trucking is between the nearest freight station and the pickup/delivery destination.
*1 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website, “Freight Rail Transport from an Environmental Perspective.”
https://www.mlit.go.jp/tetudo/tetudo_tk2_000016.html
*2 Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) website “Bulk approval of bonded carriage from customs: Japan”
https://www.jetro.go.jp/world/qa/04A-020119.html
Support for Container Round Use (CRU)
Container Round Use (CRU) refers to the continued use of empty containers for export loading after unloading import containers. This eliminates the need to transport empty containers back to the port. We promote the practice of Container Round Use (CRU) in cooperation with customers and shipping companies.
- 拡大
- Nishitetsu Narita Logistics Center
Introduction of LED lighting in warehouses
To reduce electricity consumption, we are promoting the use of LEDs for indoor lighting in our warehouses. A total of 705 LED lights were installed in the warehouse areas on all floors at the Narita Logistics Center.
Nishitetsu Logistics Co., Ltd. promotes the use of fuel-efficient tires (eco-friendly tires), which are said to reduce CO2 emissions by reducing fuel consumption relative to the distance traveled.
To support the environmental protection initiatives promoted by local governments and truck associations, and with their cooperation, we are introducing eco-friendly tires in conjunction with vehicle inspections and other timings.
FY2022 introduction results: introduced in 21 of the total 45 units.
| Chikushi Solar Power Plant | Wakiyama Solar Power Plant | Tagawa Ita Solar Power Plant | |
| Form of installation | Roof-mounted | Flat type | Flat type |
| Power generation equipment | Solar panels: 2,296 | Solar panels: 2,072 | Solar panels: 2,912 |
| Generation capacity | 500 kW | 500 kW | 600 kW |
| Start of operation | July 26, 2013 | January 29, 2014 | January 29, 2015 |
| Anual | Approx. 629 MWh/year | Approx. 536 MWh/year | Approx. 852 MWh/year |
| power generation | (Approx. 126 residential equivalent units) | (Approx. 107 residential equivalent units) | (Approximately 170 residential equivalent units) |
*Average annual electricity consumption per residence: 5,000 kWh/year (based on data from the Household Budget Survey, Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
Chikushi
Wakiyama
Tagawa Ita
Spina Co., Ltd. has entered the solar power generation business using the roofs of existing facilities, focusing on solar power as a renewable energy source from an environmentally conscious perspective. Three facilities in Kitakyushu are equipped with solar power generation systems: the Spina Mart Anoo, the Spina Lazolier Takami, and the Spina Garden Otemachi. With a total area of approximately 4,000 square meters, the system has a total output of 450 kW (kilowatts) and reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 135,000 kg per year.
Spina will meet future demand for electric power through its solar power sales business and, as a member of the local community, will promote decarbonization and energy-saving activities to contribute to the reduction of environmental impact.
Nishitetsu Store’s Uncle Yume Ichiba Amagi store has been operating a solar power generation business since January 2014. Solar panels (solar power generation equipment) have been installed at the store, which generated approximately 108,000 kWh (equivalent to approximately 19.6 residential households) in FY2022.
As a member of the local community, we will continue to promote initiatives that take the global environment into consideration and strive for low carbon and energy savings.
Initiatives to reduce plastic bags (Store business)
All Nishitetsu Stores Inc. stores began charging for plastic bags from July 1, 2020, in line with the government's initiative. Three years after its implementation, the plastic bag declination rate in FY2022 was 80.6%, helping to reduce plastic waste. Proceeds from paid plastic bags will be used for local environmental protection and community contribution activities.
We will also continue to conduct educational activities (in-store posters, voice calls, etc.) to encourage customers to bring their own bags, increase the percentage of customers declining plastic bags, and continue our efforts to protect the environment, among other efforts.
Review of plastic products (Store business)
Nishitetsu Store Inc. has reviewed the spoons and forks distributed at the cash registers of all stores, replacing plastic products with wooden ones, effective August 2022. We will continue to promote the reduction of plastic products, etc., and strive to contribute to the conservation of petroleum resources and reduction of CO2 emissions, including measures to address the marine plastic waste problem.
Review of plastic products (Food business)
Nishitetsu Store Inc. has changed straws used in its Marine World restaurants from plastic to paper and muddlers from plastic to wood, effective May 2021. In addition, all restaurants at Marine World and Hakata Yari Udon, which are also operated by the same company, have changed their take-out plastic bags to environmentally friendly biomass plastic bags (25% biomass material used). We will continue to promote the reduction of plastic products, etc., and strive to contribute to the conservation of petroleum resources and reduction of CO2 emissions, including measures to address the marine plastic waste problem.
Initiatives to reduce plastic bags
INCUBE Nishitetsu Co., Ltd. began charging for plastic bags from July 1, 2020, in line with the government's initiative. The plastic bag declination rate has been approximately 90% every month since its inception, holding to reduce plastic waste. We will continue to conduct educational activities (in-store posters, voice calls, etc.) to encourage customers to bring their own bags, increase the percentage of customers declining plastic bags, and continue our efforts to protect the environment, among other efforts.
