Sustainability in Japan 3

Themes from the study

The primary theme in the report is ‘regenerative business’ – building new practices, future-ready organisations, and notions of community.

Our research identified wellbeing and work as a primary barrier to sustainable change, with the need to focus on collective and individual agency if we’re going to effectively tackle social and environmental challenges.

Our insights are drawn from unique data and research conducted by our sustainability team, including a national quantitative study and interviews with business, academic, and community leaders.

Some of the themes and areas explored are:

• Building motivation for sustainability initiatives within your organisation.
• How different generations and groups think about sustainability and SDGs.
• Why wellbeing is the foundation for sustainable change in our society.
• Approaches to purpose and human capital in Japanese organisations.
• Ways to create positive cycles of employee wellbeing and business growth.
• Shifting mindsets from sustainable to regenerative thinking.
• Tipping points and leverage points for social and environmental change.
• Perceptions of responsibility for sustainability by industry and brand.
• Future proofing businesses through regenerative and sustainable practices.

Contributors

Like regenerative business itself, this report has been a collective effort. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the diverse group of study participants whose invaluable time and insights have contributed to its formation.

We also acknowledge the important contributions each, in their own way, is making to the new social fabric, and stand together as a community of changemakers.

Participants

Akiko Kubota 窪田 彰子
Azure Marketing Manager / Sustainability Lead, Microsoft Japan

Corinne Johnson コリーン・ジョンソン
Corporate Advisor and Coach

Eriko Suzuki 鈴木 絵里子
Founder/CEO, Kind Capital

Jin Song Montesano ジン・ソン・モンテサーノ
Chief People Officer, LIXIL

Ken Shibusawa 渋澤 健
CEO, Shibusawa and Company

Kumiko Hori 堀 久美子
Integrated Social Sustainability Design Co. Ltd.
Former Head of Community Impact, Asia Pacific, UBS AG

Madoka Ikeda 池田 円
Head of D&I, NTT

Misaki Tanaka 田中 美咲
CEO, SOLIT, inc.

Philippa Cross フィリッパ・クロス
AFounder, Marshall Sustainability

Satoko Tatsumi 辰巳 哲子
Chief Researcher, Recruit Works Institute

Shigehiro Kato 加藤 茂博
Business Producer, Recruit

Tomoe Ueyama 植山 智恵
Co-Founder/CEO, Project MINT

Yukiko Saito 斎藤 由希子
Chief People Officer, McDonald’s Japan

Research

Ai Yamanaka 山中 藍
Hasumi Nemani ネマニ 蓮美
Nick Ashley ニック・アシュレイ
Rebekah Cheng レベッカ・チェン
Reiko Suzuki 鈴木 玲子

Editorial

Nico Leonard ニコ・レオナード
Robin Lewis ロビン・ルイス

Writing and translation

David Willoughby デイヴィッド・ウィロビー
James Hollow ジェームス・ホロー
Jiro Tatsuno 辰濃 二郎
Kohei Kanayasu 金安 晃平
Mina Oba 大庭 美菜

Publication design

Dingo Francisco ディンゴ・フランシスコ
Kumiko Michishita 道下 久湖子

Program management and photography

Eileen Kao アイリーン・カオ