Company joins Zero Carbon initiative and boosts renewables.
By Koichi Yoshizuka – Founder and CEO of QRIE LTD.
Additional reporting by The Recycler news team
DS Japan has been appointed as an Executive Director of the Osaka Zero Carbon Smart City Foundation (OZCaF), a public-private initiative with over 3,000 member organisations committed to building a decarbonised society.
The appointment recognises the company’s growing influence in sustainability, at a time when Japan’s toner cartridge market has been in long-term decline—dropping from 5.79 million units in 2012 to 3.83 million in 2023.
The downward trend reflects broader global changes in the office imaging sector. As seen in Europe, Japan’s print market is shifting from volume to value. Digital workflows, hybrid working, and environmental pressures are reshaping demand. These developments echo the rise of “purposeful print” in Europe—where the focus is on quality, sustainability, and reducing environmental impact.
Founded in 1985, DS Japan has adapted to these changes while staying committed to its founding ethos of building a symbiotic society. Under the leadership of President Yoko Hojo—one of the few female executives in the Japanese industry—the company has moved beyond toner cartridge remanufacturing into new areas of environmental service and civic engagement.
Hojo has played a central role in positioning the business as both a supplier and an advocate for low-carbon solutions. Her strategic vision has placed environmental performance at the heart of DS Japan’s transformation, prioritising long-term impact over short-term gain.
In April 2025, the company disclosed its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for financial years 2021 to 2023. This move supported its successful acquisition of the Science Based Targets (SBT) certification, a globally recognised benchmark for corporate climate action.
GHG calculations were made using Fast Carbon, a CO₂ visualisation platform developed by the Backcast Technology Research Institute. The system aligns with ISO14064-3:2019 standards and is supported by third-party verification, enabling accurate, data-driven carbon management across the business.
A key part of DS Japan’s carbon reduction plan is its transition to renewable energy. In April 2025, the company confirmed that its headquarters in Higashi-Osaka now runs on 100% renewable electricity through a supply agreement with UPDATER. The move covers 76,258 kWh of energy use—approximately 9.6% of the DS Japan Group’s total electricity consumption—and has raised the company’s overall renewable energy usage from 25.7% to 35.3%.
These actions fall under the company’s wider “SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 2050” roadmap, which outlines plans to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by the end of the decade. The programme also includes initiatives to expand circular economy practices, such as consumables take-back schemes and low-carbon logistics.
DS Japan is also engaging suppliers to align on environmental targets. Sustainability audits and shared data reporting are being introduced across its value chain to extend impact beyond its own operations.
By combining environmental action with civic leadership, DS Japan is positioning itself not only as a reliable business partner but as a driver of change in the Japanese market.
Our take on this: For European stakeholders seeking partners aligned with climate goals, DS Japan offers a strong mix of innovation, accountability, and practical action. The company’s response to a shrinking market is not retreat—but a proactive blueprint for purpose-led growth in a low-carbon economy.
