The Secretariat of the Headquarters for Water Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat (the government body responsible for coordinating national water cycle policy) has certified 148 companies as “Water Cycle Enterprises” under its Water Cycle Corporate Registration and Certification Scheme (水循環企業登録・認証制度), which evaluates and registers companies engaged in activities that contribute to water cycle conservation, including the protection of rivers and groundwater, for fiscal year 2025.
The scheme was established to encourage companies to actively engage with water cycle issues at a societal level, against a backdrop of growing demands for corporate social responsibility, SDGs alignment, and responses to climate change and water-related risks. Registration and renewal take place annually, starting from fiscal year 2024.
There are two certification categories. Companies with a track record of activity over the preceding three years are certified as “Water Cycle ACTIVE Enterprises,” while companies that have drawn up an action plan for the coming three years are registered as “Water Cycle CHALLENGE Enterprises.” In fiscal year 2025, 145 companies were certified as ACTIVE Enterprises and 3 as CHALLENGE Enterprises.
According to the Secretariat, eligible activities are classified into 15 categories, including forest management and conservation in water source areas, groundwater recharge, and reductions in water consumption during business operations. Among the companies registered and certified in fiscal year 2025, the three most common activity types were: water cycle education and awareness-raising directed at external audiences; financial or other support for watershed conservation activities carried out by third parties; and cooperation with river and waterway clean-up efforts. Activities related to forest management and conservation in water source areas, groundwater recharge, and support for biodiversity conservation in rivers and waterways were also observed.
The Secretariat is currently examining the introduction of a new top-tier category, the “Water Cycle ADVANCED Enterprise” designation. At the second meeting of the Study Group on the Future of the Water Cycle Corporate Registration and Certification Scheme, held in July 2026, four evaluation criteria were proposed for selecting ADVANCED Enterprises: water-cycle-conscious initiatives and assessments; watershed-conscious collaboration; sustainability; and contribution to resolving local challenges. The criteria were broadly endorsed by the committee members.
【Reference】Water Cycle Corporate Registration and Certification Scheme: Summary of Fiscal Year 2025 Review Results
【Reference】Government Certification Scheme Evaluates Companies for Water Cycle Protection: 148 Companies Certified
【Reference】Water Cycle ACTIVE Enterprises: Introduction to Their Initiatives
【Reference】Study Group on the Future of the Water Cycle Corporate Registration and Certification Scheme (2nd Meeting)
【Reference】Study Group on the Future of the Water Cycle Corporate Registration and Certification Scheme (2nd Meeting): Agenda
【Related Article】New Scheme to Promote Corporate Water Cycle Initiatives Certifies 99 Companies
