Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (President: Takahiko Miyoshi), the core member of the Nippon Unipac Holding Group, has attained the top rank in an environmental rating screening conducted by the Development Bank of Japan as a financing system for Loans for Promoting Environmentally Conscious Management. In light of this result, on August 19, Nippon Unipac Holding received funding at a preferential interest rate in the form of an environmental investment fund for Nippon Paper Industries.
This is the second instance of a listed company receiving funding under the system since its inception, and the first such instance in the paper industry.

The Development Bank of Japan's financing system for Loans for Promoting Environmentally Conscious Management commenced operation in April 2004 with the aim of providing broad support to businesses that contribute to reducing the burden on the environment. The system grades the level of environmental management at each company according to a unique environmental rating system, the first of its kind in the world, developed by the Development Bank of Japan. Three different interest rates are then determined for exceptional companies based on the points obtained.

Nippon Unipac Holding Group, which in October of last year set up an organization to promote Corporate Social Responsibility, bases its management policy on taking full responsibility for not only business issues, but also environmental initiatives and social fairness.
As part of this policy, Nippon Paper Industries, one of the Group's core companies, has undertaken a number of environmental initiatives, including the Tree Farm Initiative, overseas afforestation projects launched to secure sustainable resources, and the Zero Discharge Campaign, an attempt to minimize waste. These activities conform to the Nippon Paper Environmental Charter, which requires the Company to carry out sustainable corporate activities in harmony with nature.
Aware that it is sector with responsibility for recycling resources, the Japanese paper industry continues to contribute to the improved, sustainable development of society through operations that go hand in hand with nature.