3.Environment

Group member the Bank of Yokohama has been running the Hamagin Environmental Education Program since FY2023 as part of its efforts to promote decarbonization in regional communities. In this program, the bank provides inquiry-based learning that helps children understand the importance of a recycling-based society and encourages them to take action toward achieving a decarbonized society by participating in the process of using waste cooking oil from households as next-generation aviation fuel called "Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).” The bank conducted this program at 10 schools by FY2025 and will continue to increase the number of participating schools and strengthen its public relations activities, aiming to decarbonize the entire region through public-private collaborations.

Kanagawa Prefecture obtains most of its water from the Sagami River and the Sakawa River, both of which originate on Mt. Fuji. Preservation of these water source areas has become a challenge.
Group member the Bank of Yokohama endorses the Kanagawa Reforestation 50 Year Plan that seeks to pass on the rich bounty of Kanagawa Prefecture's forests to the next generation. Companies endorsing the scheme take action as Reforestation Partners to work with Kanagawa Prefecture for reforestation.
Employees of the bank participate in forest conservation activities and work to raise awareness of climate change, biodiversity, and natural capital.

In support of the “Tree-Planting Campaign to Reduce Pollen Levels” promoted by the Tokyo Development Foundation for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Group member the Higashi-Nippon Bank signed an agreement on forest development as part of a project commemorating the 100th anniversary of its foundation. Based on this agreement, the bank named a forest in Baigo, Ome City, Tokyo, "the Higashi-Nippon Bank 100th Anniversary Forest." The bank bears the costs of maintaining the forest during the period of the agreement (February 1, 2024 to March 31, 2033), and its employees plant trees and participate in forest conservation activities. Through these activities, the bank is contributing to regional environmental and biodiversity conservation.

In June 2025, Group member the Bank of Yokohama concluded a partnership agreement on biodiversity conservation with Manazuru Town, Yokohama National University, and the nonprofit organization Discover Blue (a social venture from Yokohama National University), and is actively engaged in biodiversity conservation. As part of this effort, the bank supports the “’Marine Museum’: An Ocean Appreciation Event at Mitsuishi Beach, Manazuru Town,” sponsored by the nonprofit organization Discover Blue and provides local residents and its employees with opportunities to learn about biodiversity conservation and marine plastic issues.

As a financial institution rooted in the local community, the Group contributes to the creation of beautiful towns by participating in cleanup activities and other initiatives in cooperation with local residents.
Group member the Bank of Yokohama conducts beach and river cleanups in an effort to reduce marine plastic waste.

In cooperation with greening activities by the city of Yokohama, in 2013 Group member the Bank of Yokohama donated ten grown trees and five flower beds to the plaza in front of JR Sakuragicho Station. Expressing a wish to welcome local residents and tourists with seasonal flowers, the bank named the flower bed "Bank of Yokohama Fureai Hanadan (Connection Flowerbed)". Since then, seasonal flowers are cultivated there so that the flower beds colorfully adorn this entranceway to the Minato Mirai 21 district and create a place of relaxation for all.