Launch of Circular Economy Hub to promote Circular Economy in Japan

Harch Inc. launched a new online media called ‘Circular Economy Hub’ on March 20. Harch is a Japanese startup based in Tokyo that works on web media business, spreading social good to people around the world.

Circular Economy Hub will focus on the circular economy, a new socioeconomic model that attracts much attention in countries all over the world today. Circular economy is a model of production and consumption, that values minimizing resource consumption and waste generation. Goods and services circulate within the society, extending the life cycle of these products to reduce impact on the environment, thus realizing a sustainable society. Achieving circular economy is inevitable to solve environmental issues like global warming, air and water pollution, and waste problems that are urgent issues for all nations.

On March 11, the European Commission has adopted a new ‘Circular Economy Action Plan’ as one of the basic building blocks of the European Green Deal. The European Green Deal is a roadmap for achieving sustainable growth in Europe that aims to achieve no net emission of greenhouse gases by 2050 and economic growth decoupled from resource use, without leaving any person or place left behind. Like so, circular economy is an important agenda among nations, organizations and businesses.

Harch has featured reports on circular economy in its online magazine ‘IDEAS FOR GOOD’ constantly. It also visited Amsterdam, Helsinki, London, Paris, Berlin and Oslo to cover the latest projects on circular economy in Europe. The company even held debriefing sessions in December 2019 and February 2020 in Tokyo and Yokohama to report on the coverage.

Currently, Circular Economy Hub will provide the following content:

1. Latest news on circular economy, both domestic and overseas;
2. Run interviews on local and international businesses related to circular economy;
3. Latest overview and coverage about projects related to circular economy; and
4. Professional editors will give insight on news and reports regarding circular economy.

In the future, Circular Economy Hub will go beyond digital to create real world action and impact:

1. Plan and operate events on circular economy to serve as a hub;
2. Design workshop for businesses and associations that aims to move towards circular economy;
3. Organize tours to learn about the forefront of circular economy projects;
4. Matching industries and value chains;
5. Creating local projects all over Japan to spread circular economy; and
6. Helping recruitment to accelerate operations on circular economy.

Harch will cooperate with CIRCULAR ECONOMY JAPAN, a general incorporated association, Circle Design and Pasona JOB HUB Inc. to run the above projects and businesses. Other partners are NAKA Co., Ltd., NAKAGAWA AD Co., Ltd., Taiyo Jyuken and Sustainable Business Hub, a non-profit organization in Kyoto.

Circular Economy Hub aims to promote the concept and accelerate the movement toward circular economy. It is anticipated that the practice will lead advancement and establishment of the circular model in Japan.