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susainable japan (presented by The Japan Times Cube) Firms need susainability for survival in long term rates successful ESG policies. woman of the Japan Times ESG Consortium, als used in our PET bottles with recycled or ESG / SDGs The companies’ ESG-aware strategies are commented that the creation of small elec- plant-derived materials by 2030.” MAIKO MURAOKA designed to address a wide range of chal- tric power plants that use local renewable Fuji Oil is also highly aware of how the CONTRIBUTING WRITER lenges in their value chains, from emissions energy sources is technologically possible raw materials it procures, such as palm reduction and responsible procurement to these days. “I hope that there will be more oil, cacao beans and soybeans, are grown. Environmental, social and governance the environment and human rights. These collaborations between companies and Kadota acknowledged that areas produc- (ESG) factors are attracting ever more atten- are also in line with the United Nations’ Sus- municipalities in this feld,” she said. ing these materials in Southeast Asia, Africa tion from all stakeholders, from investors to tainable Development Goals. and other regions have had environmen- consumers, as some of the most important Water sustainability tal and social problems. “But palm oil, for keys for assessing corporate values, especially Reducing climate change Water sustainability, part of the Sus- example, is inexpensive compared to other in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Fuji Oil, established in 1950, places sus- tainable Development Goals, is the most vegetable oils. It is an important food ingre- It’s not just that companies increasingly tainability at the core of its business. “Busi- important element for Suntory from the dient, especially in poor nations, and we are realizing they have a better chance of ness that lacks social value is not sustainable,” perspective of its sustainable growth. “Out feel responsible for its stable supply,” he surviving tough times if they manage long- Kadota said. Among the 17 U.N. goals, of the Suntory Group’s seven sustainabil- said. term risk with strategies for sustainability. Kadota explained, Fuji Oil considers climate ity themes we stipulated last year, water “Consumers’ awareness is changing in these change as one of the most urgent issues. comes frst,” said Fukumoto, saying the Raising workers’ awareness difcult times, when what was once normal “An integrated system of reducing emis- resource needs to be preserved and hus- Fuji Oil tries to continue procuring these is not normal anymore. They are starting to sions and capturing emitted carbon dioxide banded for future generations. Suntory has materials while solving the problems faced A class on nutrition, part of a project Fuji Oil think about what they most value, which is necessary,” he said, mentioning that the been engaging in Natural Water Sanctuary during the production process. “Some of has been conducting since 2014 in cooperation will make companies need to do more,” said company engages not only in emissions- cultivation activities since 2003 to create our eforts include making palm tree plan- Fuji Oil established a joint venture with with the nonproft Houkago’s Afer School Suntory Holdings Ltd. Chief Operating Of- reducing activities such as developing renew- and maintain forests that produce mineral- tation owners return passports to more United Plantation in 2017. UNIFUJI SDN. BHD. program. FUJI OIL CO., LTD. cer of the Corporate Sustainability Division able energy but also in the prevention of rich water. It has also been providing water than 200 migrant workers, to not allow Tomomi Fukumoto in an online talk session deforestation. education programs to children since 2004. forced labor, and suspending business with Kadota said. He himself talks directly to Fukumoto pointed out that Japanese organized by the Japan Times ESG Consor- Suntory is also taking on a big challenge Another of the seven themes, Contain- suppliers whose production processes are locally hired workers to listen to their ideas enterprises tend to be too modest about tium on Oct. 1. to launch its frst zero-emissions factory in ers and packaging, also overlaps with some causing deforestation,” Kadota said. The and worries, and to explain the need for a their eforts and achievements. “Even if we Suntory, a Japan-based global beverage Nagano Prefecture in 2021. “The factory will of the Sustainable Development Goals, company is also committed to putting an collective ESG efort by the entire group. have done something good, if we don’t try producer, won the Excellence Award in the be using renewable energy sources in the such as Life Below Water and Responsible end to child labor and to improving the liv- Suntory, in addition to various pro- to propagate it widely, it is the same as hav- ESG category of the Japan Times Satoyama region such as biomass,” Fukumoto said. Consumption and Production. Fukumoto ing conditions of workers throughout its grams to develop human resources, ofers ing done nothing at all,” she said. She also and ESG Awards 2020. The Grand Prize Morisawa, who also serves as chair- said, “We aim to replacing all virgin materi- supply chain. an internal award program to recognize stressed the importance of not only reach- winner was Fuji Oil Holdings Inc., which To accelerate eforts to achieve Sustain- employees who take on new business chal- ing out to various stakeholders but also develops and makes food products such as able Development Goals through the lenges using fresh ideas and creating new involving them in the company’s sustain- vegetable oils, industrial chocolates and soy- companies’ ESG management, Fuji Oil values. “Last year, about 450 teams, consist- ability eforts. based ingredients. The chief ESG ofcer of and Suntory are striving to raise work- ing of about 4,500 workers from around the Morisawa commented that from inves- the company, Takashi Kadota, also joined the ers’ awareness about why such eforts are world, applied for the award. Sustainability tors’ point of view, accurate corporate talk session, which was moderated by Mich- needed and how they will contribute to is an important factor in evaluation,” Fuku- evaluations that lead to long-term proft are iyo Morisawa, the Japan head of the Prin- the businesses’ own sustainability and are moto said. She also explained that roughly based on both fnancial and ESG informa- ciples for Responsible Investment network enhancing communications with various 7,000 workers in Japan have had hands-on tion about companies. and director of CDP (formerly the Carbon stakeholders. experience in forest development as part Disclosure Project) Japan. More than half of the workers in the Fuji of the company’s Natural Water Sanctuary This section “sustainability,” features issues Both companies have always regarded Oil group are non-Japanese. As a company activities designed to nurture forests. related to the environment and sustainable contributing to society as an indispensable that considers diversity to be important In order to closely communicate with society. It highlights the ESG (environmental, part of business. Fuji Oil upholds “work for for both itself and society, Fuji Oil appoints stakeholders, both companies publish social and governance) activities of compa- people” as one of its values, and Suntory “giv- local workers to managerial positions in fnancial and nonfnancial information nies and other organizations and also intro- ing back to society.” This is exactly the kind many of its overseas entities. “Each country such as integrated reports and sustainabil- duces municipalities and local companies of mentality necessary for a deep commit- Children learn about the environment in has its own culture, trends, business meth- ity reports, make their websites available promoting the beauty and excellence of the ment — not mere show — to ESG principles Suntory’s Natural Water Sanctuary Okuda- Indonesia through Suntory Mizuiku — Educa- ods, social issues and special needs for food. in multiple languages, ofer environmental real Japan. For more information, see https:// and is what makes these companies exem- isen located in Tottori tion Program for Nature and Water. It makes more sense to entrust speedy education programs to children and take sustainable.japantimes.com/ and https://sus- plars of a corporate philosophy that incorpo- SUNTORY HOLDINGS LTD. SUNTORY HOLDINGS LTD. decision-making to local employees,” various other measures. tainable.japantimes.com/esg

Japan climate summit draws Roundtable: participants from around globe Sustainability with relate to fossil fuels and emissions. Ross Rowbury ESG / SDGs Sueyoshi noted that General Electric and CARL STIMSON Exxon Mobil, two corporate giants that have Date and time: The contents of Roundtable by The made billions from fossil fuels, were dropped Japan Times will be published as an CONTRIBUTING WRITER Wednesday, archive at a later date and will be from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in Nov. 11, 2020 introduced in the main paper of The The Japan Climate Action Summit 2020 recent years, which he called an important 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Tokyo Time) Japan Times and the website of brought together leaders in the public and symbol of the slow but steady retreat of fossil 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Melbourne Time) Sustainable Japan by The Japan Times. private sectors from around the country, fuels from our lives. Location: Livestreaming as well as climate activists from Japan and Nevertheless, afer going through a lengthy Livestreaming participants: You will receive an URL afer registration. overseas. list of companies and sectors that have Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of the Environ- This year’s event, which was hosted by moved toward decarbonization, he criticized ment JAPAN CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT. To join use the QR code or visit: the Japan Climate Initiative on Oct. 14, was the response of the Japanese government as https://peatix.com/event/1680417 streamed via Zoom due to the coronavirus tepid and called for bold leadership on cli- for Japan by 2050 through a “green society” pandemic, drawing about 1,500 people from mate issues. strategy creating a virtuous cycle between around the world. Some speakers and most Despite these criticisms, the government the economy and the environment. panel participants were able to gather in had a strong presence at the summit. Senior The summit also featured two panel person. ofcials from the Foreign Ministry and the discussions: one bringing together leading Guest Melanie Brock Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic was a Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry gave actors on climate action from government, Melanie Brock is one of Japan's best-known APAC specialists. She uniquely combines language constant presence at the summit, primar- congratulatory remarks, as did Environment business and civil society, and another fea- skills, high-level political, media and business networks, and practical commercial business ily due to the efects it has had on the global Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and all of them turing top leaders in the private and public leadership. She consistently delivers on business, regulatory and partnership outcomes for Japanese economy, and how this in turn relates to pledged support for decarbonization eforts. sectors who are driving current environ- and Australian corporations in both a global and domestic context. Highlights of Melanie's 20-plus issues and trends in pollution and carbon Nevertheless, as noted by Nigel Topping, mental policy. years of experience include leading nationwide marketing campaigns and a successful bilateral free dioxide emissions. Britain’s high-level climate action champion Kazuhiro Inoda, the supervising director of trade agreement and as architect of regional Japanese activities for corporate social responsibility. In his keynote address, Seita Emori, dep- for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change global environment and policy at the Kyoto Melanie has a media profle, regularly featuring in Nikkei, the Australian Financial Review and the uty director of the Center for Global Environ- Conference, the government representatives city government, described how his city is ABC, giving her an unparalleled media network. mental Research at the National Institute for did not announce any new emissions targets. leading from the ground up by setting emis- Environmental Studies, cited research esti- In his special keynote speech, Topping sions targets that are more ambitious than mating that at the peak of the lockdowns in declared that a “zero-carbon economy is those of the central government. April, global carbon dioxide emissions were inevitable” and praised the Race to Zero By 2030, Kyoto seeks to reduce emissions down 17 percent compared to last year’s Campaign, in which businesses, universi- by at least 45 percent compared to 1990 lev- Host Ross Rowbury average. ties, municipalities and other organizations els, which is considerably higher than the Ross Rowbury has observed Japan while living and working here for four decades. Commencing However, he noted that emissions have pledge to achieve net zero carbon emissions central government’s goal of a 26 percent cut. his career in fnance in Tokyo in the early 1980s, he later moved into public relations and crept back up as lockdowns are loosened by 2050. While individual and smaller actors can communications, holding senior positions at Gavin Anderson & Co. (now Kreab) and PRAP Japan. and some nations get a handle on the virus, Topping said that at the moment, “Japan is provide inspiration and serve as important Most recently, he headed the Edelman business in Japan for 10 years until July 2020. Ross is also which suggests any “new normal” will not be not leading in its policy and thinking on cli- test cases, Nissay Asset Management Corp. visiting professor of Asian marketing at Doshisha University in Kyoto. much diferent from the old normal in terms mate change” and encouraged the setting of a CEO Hiroshi Ozeki noted in the Top Lead- of carbon emissions. “very clear end date on net zero.” ers Session that support from the very top The next keynote speaker, JCI Representa- Just days afer the conference, Prime Min- is crucial. He said that while “Japanese com- tive Takejiro Sueyoshi, painted a long-term ister Yoshihide Suga announced to the Diet a panies ofen invest in renewable energy picture of global business trends as they goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions sources overseas thanks to the existence of green bonds, there are fewer opportunities What is Roundtable by The Japan Times? in Japan.” These bonds are used to fnance projects intended to fght climate change The English-language events will invite readers of The Japan Times to be guest speakers. Ross Rowbury (former and provide investors with an added layer of representative of Edelman Japan), who has a deep knowledge of Japan and boasts a wide network both here and security. abroad, will sit down in the role of host with Japanese and non-Japanese to discuss their lives in Japan. Held once a Other well-known participants in the month, the format of the roundtable will include time for panel discussions with the participation of the audience. summit included Michael Bloomberg, the philanthropist, businessman and former For our special guest speaker, Rowbury will invite Melanie Brock from Melanie Brock Advisory, which works across New York mayor, and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko a wide range of industry sectors and issues to support cross-cultural businesses and public relations. Koike. Their presence, along with those of other prefectural governors and a Cabinet From lef: Hiroko Kuniya, moderator of the Japan Climate Action Summit 2020; Suichi Abe, member, signaled that climate change is governor of Nagano Prefecture; Yuriko Koike, governor of Tokyo; Kamon Iizumi, governor of receiving attention from the highest levels. Contact: [email protected] Roundtable by Tokushima Prefecture and president of the National Governors’ Association; Hiroshi Ozeki, president and chief executive ofcer of Nissay Asset Management Corp.; and Minako Suematsu, For more information, see https://japancli- chairperson, publisher and president of The Japan Times JAPAN CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT mate.org/english/

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