Monday, August 23, 2021 | The Japan Times | 7 ESG promotional content produced by The Japan Times Cube susainable japan Evernex Japan keeps businesses running while helping environment Born in Belgium, then a life abroad Company rescues hardware Bob Van den Broecke is managing direc- tor of Evernex Japan. At the age of 29, he came to Japan in 2017, tasked with the mission of establishing Evernex’s Japan entity. with support alternative Van den Broecke has led an interna- tional life since he was a child. Born in Belgium, he grew up in Paris, where his father worked for the Japanese food ever, the fair distribution of frmware is a challenges. This is in part due to the rela- and biotechnology corporation Ajino- Name: Bob Van den Broecke critical part of IT sustainability. tionship between IT manufacturers and moto. When he was 11, he moved with Title: Managing Director of Evernex Van den Broecke’s frm, Evernex Japan, what Van den Broecke calls Japan’s “dino- his family to Bangkok, where his father Japan provides IT services centered on the saurs” — industrial giants that are so big was assigned to head Ajinomoto’s URL: https://www.evernex.com/ maintenance, reuse and recycling of elec- they can dictate their own terms. When operations in Asia. He attended high Hometown: Belgium tronic devices. As managing director, he one of Japan’s behemoths demands a school and university in Bangkok before Years in Japan: 4 frequently sees frms of all sizes dispose of manufacturer continue servicing old returning to Paris to obtain his license JOE MUNTAL functional IT equipment, including serv- equipment, the manufacturer, whose degree in administration and then mov- CONTRIBUTING WRITER ers and computers, simply because newer engineers have already moved on to new ing to Rome to attend graduate school models with more sophisticated frmware equipment, will ask Evernex to service for international economics. He joined Every year, electronics manufactur- are available. With frst-hand experience this equipment on its behalf. Evernex Evernex in 2012 and worked as a senior ers invigorate their product lines with of how frmware-driven obsolescence Japan, which started as a three-person account manager in Hong Kong before upgraded models of computers, smart- perpetuates unsustainable practices, Van operation fve years ago, will welcome its coming to Japan. phones and other mobile devices. For busi- den Broecke is trying to spread awareness 15th employee this year. He likes to stay active in his free time nesses, the pressure to upgrade is strong, as among businesses of how sustainable IT Van den Broecke noted that regula- and enjoys racket sports, rock climbing access to the latest frmware and sofware practices can not only help the environ- tions requiring tech companies to provide and running. is essential for day-to-day operations. With ment, but also help their bottom line. frmware support for older devices can each new release looms an anxiety that “We’re not here to sell IT; we’re here help curtail wasteful IT consumption. For manufacturers will one day cut of support to sell the concept of helping companies instance, last year, in response to limita- Demolin, who was CEO. “I discovered the to older devices and restrict them from reduce their carbon footprint and reduce tions imposed by hardware manufactur- joy of working through him,” Van den frmware updates needed to use the latest costs,” he said. “Businesses are being forced ers that curtailed access to updates and Broecke said. “He ran a close-knit, family- applications and services. to change their equipment because the prevented decommissioned hardware style business that encouraged entrepre- Despite its efects on technological sofware is no longer being updated. This from being resold, the European Ecodesign neurship, and he was extremely giving.” consumption, production and carbon is a technique used by tech companies to Directive introduced rules requiring man- Van den Broecke recalled how his former emissions, frmware distribution is ofen force businesses to buy new equipment ufacturers of servers and storage equip- boss once gifed him a scooter out of the overlooked in conversations regarding sus- without providing any alternatives.” ment to provide frmware support for a blue just to commend him for a job well tainability. For Bob Van den Broecke, how- According to Van den Broecke, Japan specifed period afer a product’s release. HIROMICHI MATONO done. has distinct hurdles in its path toward Other aspects of Japan’s bureaucracy Inspired by his mentor, Van den Broecke sustainable IT practices. The risk-averse, have surprised the 34-year-old Belgian. a bank account, but to get a bank account Asia, the family moved to Bangkok, where tries to difuse this culture of close rela- bureaucratic culture of many Japanese Van den Broecke’s international back- you need a phone and an address, but to he attended high school and university. tionships and generosity among his companies amplifes concerns surround- ground has instilled in him an unrelenting get an address you need a phone and a He returned to Paris and shortly aferward employees. It is why one of his favorite ing manufacturer support and frmware curiosity for new places and experiences, bank account. It was quite complicated, moved to Rome to attend graduate school expressions is from “The Three Muske- access, he said. “It’s incomparable to the but his experiences living in multiple and a challenge, but that’s part of what for international economics. teers,” by Alexandre Dumas: “All for one rest of the world. Everyone is afraid to do countries did not prepare him for some of makes this job interesting.” In Rome, while searching for a job where and one for all.” “It’s not always easy, but anything if it isn’t 100% documented, or if Japan’s peculiarities. In what he humor- For Van den Broecke, Japan is the lat- he could use his language abilities (Van when it is, I encourage them to enjoy it,” it isn’t absolutely clear with everyone. It’s ously described as “Japan’s Bermuda est stop in a life of international adven- den Broecke speaks six languages, includ- he said. “If my employees want to work like walking on a path and looking under Triangle,” Van den Broecke recalled the ture. Born in Belgium, he grew up in Paris, ing French, English, Italian and Dutch), he from the beach, I say, ‘Go ahead, but make Van den Broecke’s motto is “All for one and one every stone before making a supercalcu- conundrum of purchasing a Japanese where his father worked for Ajinomoto. came across the company IB-Remarketing, sure to send me a picture.’ It’s all about car- for all” from the book “The Three Musketeers,” lated step forward.” phone, opening a bank account and fnd- When his father was assigned to head the Evernex’s predecessor. It was here where ing for each other and allowing people to by Alexandre Dumas. HIROMICHI MATONO Evernex Japan is growing despite these ing a place to live: “You need a phone to get Japanese food corporation’s operations in Van den Broecke met his mentor, Bruno have weaknesses and make mistakes.” A tale of two cities’ casles, and Champion of Change Japan Award how they survived the centuries is looking for fve good women The grand prize, given in December, is ¥1 Satoyama~Authentic ESG/SDGs million (about $10,000), while the four run- Japan JACOB REED ner-ups each receive ¥250,000. All fnalists CONTRIBUTING WRITER also receive a commemorative crystal ball MAIKO MURAOKA from Tifany. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Since 2017, the Champion of Change Japan Award (CCJA) has recognized female lead- 2020 top fnalist Terahara Every municipality has a characteris- ers who work to address the most press- In 2020, Makiko Terahara was chosen as tic or landmark that its residents think ing needs of their communities. An online the top fnalist. She was recognized for her of as their symbol. On July 29, the 18th event explaining CCJA and calling for work as a lawyer supporting same-sex Satoyama Cafe, an online talk session nominees for 2021 was hosted on July 29 at couples in Japan who want to marry yet organized by the Japan Times Satoyama the Venture Cafe Tokyo. It was moderated face legal barriers and cultural backlash. As The CCJA award recipient and top fnalists Consortium, hosted the mayors of Fuku- The restoration of Kumamoto Castle shows Fukuyama Castle, intended to be fully by the journalist Noriko Akiyama. Makiko the representative director of the organiza- with the selection committee CCJA yama in Hiroshima Prefecture and Kuma- resilience and brings hope afer the devastat- restored by next year for its 400th anniver- Terahara — the top fnalist of the 2020 tion Marriage For All Japan (MFAJ), she has moto in Kumamoto Prefecture, two ing Kumamoto Earthquake of 2016. sary, overlooks the Fukuyama shinkansen award — and Masataka Uo, a member of been a passionate advocate for progressive goals, she had a clear plan for what she historic cities that have boasted famous KUMAMOTO CASTLE OFFICE station. FUKUYAMA CITY the award selection committee since 2019, legal changes to marriage laws in Japan. would do if she won the award, and an castles for about four centuries. were both in attendance to ofer their per- Although she is herself heterosexual, she equally clear one in the event she did Fukuyama Castle and Kumamoto Cas- cially valuable because it showcases the ings in calamities, and they too have spectives and answer questions. became involved because of her passion not. Either way, she would be fghting for tle are beautiful partly because they did accumulation of technologies of the era.