My History
Our mission is to "Connect People, Nature, and Businesses to Help Build a Harmonious and Creative Society." To achieve this, we focus on renewable energy initiatives, with a particular emphasis on the development, design, and construction of solar power plants and storage facilities. Additionally, we provide a range of services, including the dispatch of childcare workers and babysitters, as well as the rental of equipment for event operations, all with the goal of contributing to a more sustainable society.
The diverse array of businesses we operate reflects our genuine commitment to addressing societal issues, rather than treating them as someone else's problems. Our corporate culture fosters innovative thinking that goes beyond industry norms, and this mindset has been instrumental in our growth.
Renewable energy lies at the core of our operations. In 2018, we established a subsidiary in Mongolia, HOKUTAI MONGOL LLC, to broaden our reach. This decision was driven by our desire to apply our expertise to local energy challenges while recognizing the cultural potential of the area. With over 600 completed projects, we were honored in 2023 as one of the top 10 energy consulting firms in the Asia-Pacific region. This achievement reflects our commitment to connecting people, nature, and businesses, as well as the trust we have built within local communities.
All our efforts are driven by our mission, particularly in the field of renewable energy. Our approach to constructing power plants emphasizes "designing optimal equipment tailored to local characteristics" and "building cooperative relationships with local communities." We believe the latter is especially crucial. By integrating power plants into the local community and fostering positive relationships with residents, we create significant advantages for energy providers in their operations.
The Present
Historically, the energy industry has been dominated by large corporations working in collaboration with the government to construct massive infrastructure. However, with the growing awareness of SDG Goal 7, "Affordable and Clean Energy," the installation of solar panels in homes and factories for independent electricity generation is gaining popularity. This marks a shift from a "centralized energy society," reliant on traditional large-scale infrastructure, to a "decentralized energy society," which aims to provide regional power and address energy needs based on local characteristics and disaster considerations.
In Mongolia, where we operate, a nomadic culture coexists with rapidly modernizing urban areas, fostering a lifestyle that harmonizes with nature. It's common to see people transporting solar panels and watching television inside their gers (traditional Mongolian yurts). Their way of life, centered around generating only the electricity they need, captures the essence of contemporary trends like "local production for local consumption" and serves as a model for a decentralized energy society.
In Japan, the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system has driven rapid growth in the industrial solar power market. Initially fueled by generous tax incentives and the appeal of solar energy as an investment, the market expanded quickly. However, this heavy reliance on financial incentives has led to several challenges, including environmental damage from poor development practices and conflicts with local residents. Ironically, energy sources intended to protect the environment have sometimes imposed additional burdens on it. As a result, the positive perception of renewable energy has been compromised, making large-scale solar installations less attractive to local communities.
For the Future
These challenges underscore the importance of building strong partnerships with local communities, a principle we hold in the highest regard. We have always prioritized meaningful dialogue and consensus-building with local residents, dedicating time to ensure that our development, design, and construction processes integrate us into the community. We recognize that the typical business mindset—such as “What we do on our land is our business” or “As long as we comply with the law, no one has the right to complain”—can be shortsighted and detrimental in the long run. That’s why we focus on disaster prevention and agriculture as concrete ways to strengthen our collaboration with local communities. These efforts are essential to embedding renewable energy into society.
In terms of disaster prevention, we believe that renewable energy facilities should play an active role in local disaster preparedness. Beyond meeting safety standards during heavy rain or flooding, these facilities should incorporate water storage capabilities to manage overflow from surrounding areas. Additionally, they should be equipped with emergency power supplies to support the community during blackouts. Renewable energy is part of the global solution to climate change, and it’s crucial that we maintain focus on this broader objective while also ensuring that these systems provide protection for local communities.
Agriculture presents significant future potential, particularly in Japan, where aging farmers and abandoned farmlands pose pressing challenges. We are currently exploring the practice of growing crops beneath solar panels, aiming to achieve a balance between energy production and food cultivation. This approach not only optimizes land use but also helps regulate the temperature of the panels, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. By integrating renewable energy with food production, we create a win-win situation. As we address food security—especially in the context of climate change and population growth—boosting Japan’s food self-sufficiency becomes as crucial as expanding renewable energy initiatives.
Both disaster prevention and agriculture are closely tied to job creation, fostering a positive cycle that benefits the local community and the environment. This strategy encourages the wider adoption of renewable energy. This vision drives our renewable energy business and underscores why "building cooperative relationships with local communities" is central to our mission.
Moving forward, Hokutai will remain dedicated to the theme of “Connecting People, Nature, and Businesses,” striving to make a positive impact on society through our operations. Alongside local communities and businesses, we will persist in our efforts toward a sustainable future. We believe that every step we take brings us closer to creating a better society, and we are committed to ongoing growth.