LOADING

Type to search

Japan Prime Minister Kishida Says Japan Pensions With $600 Billion to Sign ESG Pact

Japan Prime Minister Kishida Says Japan Pensions With $600 Billion to Sign ESG Pact

In a significant development, Japanese pension funds managing a staggering 90 trillion yen, (equivalent to USD$600 billion), have announced their intention to participate in a global initiative for responsible investment. Prime Minister Kishida made this momentous announcement during his speech at the “PRI in Person” forum, which brought together leading investors committed to advancing global responsible investment.

The Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to all distinguished investors gathered in Japan for this pivotal event, acknowledging the efforts of the PRI Secretariat and all involved in organizing it. He emphasized the importance of discussions on global sustainable finances and investments, particularly in the context of Japan’s commitment to addressing social and environmental challenges while promoting sustainable growth.

Japan’s vast household financial assets, totaling over 2,100 trillion yen ($14 trillion), primarily in the form of savings, hold significant potential to drive sustainable growth. Prime Minister Kishida outlined a policy package aimed at redirecting these substantial assets into investments, not only benefitting Japan but also making a global impact.

Addressing diverse challenges such as climate change, an aging population, and natural disasters requires tapping into the inherent strength of finances. Prime Minister Kishida highlighted Japan’s willingness to share its experiences and outcomes with the global community, positioning itself as a leader in facing social and environmental challenges.

The Prime Minister underscored the pivotal role of science and technology in addressing these challenges, highlighting innovative solutions developed by Japanese startups. One example he cited was a startup founded by young researchers that harnessed traditional printing technology for electronic circuit boards, achieving remarkable reductions in metal usage, CO2 emissions, and water consumption.

Related Article: Tokyo Stock Exchange to start Carbon Credit Trading on Oct. 11

Prime Minister Kishida outlined four major Japanese policy priorities aimed at addressing global issues and promoting corporate activities and investments that facilitate sustainable growth:

  1. Green Transformation (GX): Japan is committed to shifting away from fossil fuels and towards clean energies. To raise over 150 trillion yen ($1 trillion) of public and private financing over the next decade to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the government has introduced the GX Promotion Strategy, including carbon pricing and the issuance of “Climate Transition Bonds” to catalyze innovation in renewable energy and related industries.
  2. Supporting Startups: Recognizing the role of startups as catalysts for addressing social challenges and driving growth, Japan has launched a five-year plan to foster startups dedicated to global problem-solving. The aim is to amplify investments to 10 trillion yen ($70 billion) within five years, with a focus on impact investment.
  3. Enhancing Human Capital: Japan prioritizes human resource development, including re-skilling and efforts to promote women in the workforce. Disclosure requirements for human capital-related information have been imposed on listed companies in Japan to increase corporate value in the long term.
  4. Strengthening Sustainable Finance: To encourage investments in companies addressing social challenges, Japan plans to enhance the abilities of asset managers and owners, who manage a substantial portion of household financial assets. This includes a new policy plan aimed at improving asset management governance and promoting sustainability-focused investments.

Prime Minister Kishida concluded by emphasizing Japan’s commitment to cooperate with peer Asian countries to achieve global net-zero emissions, especially through the launch of an “Asia GX consortium.” This consortium will facilitate GX investments in Asia, involving both the public and private sectors.

In summary, Japan, under Prime Minister Kishida’s leadership, is taking significant steps to address global challenges, promote sustainable growth, and encourage responsible investments, with Japanese pension funds committing a substantial $600 billion to this cause. This announcement reflects Japan’s determination to play a pivotal role in the global transition to a more sustainable future.

Topics

Related Articles

LOADING

Type to search

Blog

Turkey Sets 2030 Target to Cut Aviation Emissions by 5% Using Sustainable Fuel
Green Climate Fund Approves Record $1.225B for Climate Projects
UK Launches First Onshore Wind Strategy to Double Capacity, Unlock 45,000 Jobs
Phlair, Carbon Removal AS Launch Europe’s First Large-Scale DAC and CO₂ Storage Project
ISSB Launches Major Review of SASB Standards to Strengthen Climate and Industry Alignment
IKEA to Cut 1,400 Tons of Plastic Annually with Paper-Based Fitting Bags
Salesforce Launches Agentforce to Automate Sustainability Disclosures and Unlock Emissions Insights
Terra CO2 Secures $124.5M to Accelerate Commercial Rollout of Low-Carbon Cement Alternatives
Allianz Commercial Launches Climate Risk & Resilience Platform for Businesses
EU Commission Proposes Tax Incentives to Accelerate Clean Industrial Transition
J.P. Morgan’s Kinexys Partners with S&P Global to Pilot Blockchain for Carbon Markets
Mars Achieves 1.9% Emissions Cut in 2024, Unveils $250M Sustainability Investment Fund
GRI Opens Public Consultation on Revised Labor Standards for Inclusion, Equal Opportunity
New Coalition Launches to Tax Premium Flyers for Climate Resilience and Fair Transitions
Dexter Energy Secures €23M to Expand AI-Driven Trading for Renewables and Batteries
88% of Companies See Sustainability as a Long-Term Value Driver, Morgan Stanley Report
Climeworks Secures $162M in Largest Carbon Removal Investment of 2025
Zelestra Expands Sustainability-Linked Loan to €770 Million, Backed by 11 Global Banks
EU Sets 2040 Climate Target with 90% Emissions Reduction
Microsoft Secures 1.1M Tonnes of Carbon Removals in 10-Year Deal with Hafslund Celsio
Google Signs Largest Corporate Fusion Energy Deal with Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Eni, Azimut Next Launch €100M Clean Tech Fund to Accelerate Energy Innovation
CAF Approves $5.2B for Sustainable Development
EU to Integrate Carbon Credits Into 2040 Emissions Target
SP Energy Networks Launches £1.4bn Grid Investment to Accelerate UK’s Clean Power 2030 Goals
ESMA Flags Gaps in Sustainability Disclosures, Calls for Tighter Oversight in Investment Sector
Nokia Secures €1.5B Credit Facility Tied to Scope 1–3 Emissions Reduction Targets
Swiss Climate Disclosure Law Put on Hold as EU Finalizes Sustainability Reforms
EU Commission Confirms Green Claims Directive Not Withdrawn
British Airways Signs SAF Deal with EcoCeres to Cut 400,000 Tons of CO₂ Emissions
EU, EIB Unveil €5 Billion Flexible Guarantee to Unlock Global Green and SME Investments
ESG News Week In Review: 23 June - 29 June
DBS, OCBC, and UOB Launch First Report on Nature-Related Financial Risks
Singapore Business Federation Seeks ISSB Climate Reporting Delay for Smaller Firms
Ambienta Raises €500M to Scale Europe’s Small Cap Sustainability Champions
Wolters Kluwer Launches ESG Tools for CBAM Compliance and Sustainable Financial Planning
Slovenia Raises €1B Through First Sustainability-Linked Bond
Tudor Expands Sustainability Program, Reinforces Ethical Watchmaking Goals
Eni and BMW Italia Join Forces to Advance Sustainable Mobility with Biofuels and EV Charging
Meta Secures Nearly 800 MW in New Clean Energy from Invenergy to Power Data Center Expansion
MERLIN Properties and Carbon2Nature Launch 200-Hectare Forest to Capture 160,000 Tons of CO₂
ByteDance Buys 100,000+ High-Integrity Carbon Credits from Rubicon Carbon
GRI Launches Climate and Energy Reporting Standards Aligned with Global Climate Goals
AIIB and Keppel to Mobilize $1.5B for Sustainable Infrastructure Across Asia-Pacific
UK Releases Draft Sustainability, Climate Reporting Standards Aligned with IFRS
FourTwoThree Launches to Unlock $50 Trillion SME Climate Finance Opportunity
UK Unveils Plan to Become Global Hub for Sustainable Finance, Launches Transition Plan Consultations
UK, Kenya, and Singapore Launch Government Coalition to Boost High-Integrity Carbon Markets
Frontier Secures Deal with Wild Assets for 120,000 Tonnes of Permanent Carbon Removals
Microsoft Signs 12-Year Deal with Agoro Carbon for 2.6 Million Soil Carbon Removal Credits
EU Adopts New State Aid Framework to Accelerate Clean Industrial Development Through 2030
Microsoft Signs 10-Year Deal with Anew Climate, Aurora to Secure 4.8M Forest Carbon Removal Credits
JPMorganChase Secures 50,000 Ton Carbon Removal Deal with 1PointFive
Gap, Target, and Houdini Partner with Syre to Drive Global Shift to Circular Polyester
IFRS Foundation Issues New Guidance on Climate Transition Plan Disclosures
Greenbelt Capital Closes First Fund at $1B to Accelerate Energy Transition
EU Council Pushes Major Cutbacks to Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence Rules
L’Oréal Launches €100M Innovation Accelerator to Scale Sustainable Beauty Solutions
LEGO Marks Three Years of Near-Zero Waste to Landfill in Global Manufacturing
EFRAG Targets 50% Cut in ESRS Reporting Burden in Progress Update to EU Commission
UK Launches $3.56 B Industrial Plan to Drive Clean Energy
Virgin’s Net-Zero Targets Approved by SBTi, Signaling Bold Climate Commitment
Eni Sells 20% of Plenitude to Ares for $2.3B in Renewables
GRI Launches Machine-Readable Taxonomy to Streamline Global Sustainability Reporting
Cushman & Wakefield: ESG Ranks Among Top 2 Real Estate Priorities in EMEA and APAC
Singapore Releases Draft Guidance to Strengthen Use of Voluntary Carbon Credi
Image of black tesla cars driving in china
videocam
Deep Sky Secures First DAC Offtake Deal with Rubicon Carbon
HPCL to invest $231 million to build 24 compressed biogas plants in India
Carbon Upcycling Secures $18M to Scale Low-Carbon Cement Technology
Coldplay Cuts Vinyl Emissions by 85% with Recycled EcoRecords
La Caisse Sets $400B Climate Investment Target by 2030 Following Strong Decarbonization Gains
Octopus Energy Launches $60M Fund to Accelerate Clean Power Across Africa
Mango Becomes First Brand to Use Circulose® Since Restart
videocam
videocam
Climate Tech Partners Secures $50M+ to Back High-Growth Climate Startups
Volkswagen Bank Raises €1.5 Billion in First-Ever Green Bond to Boost EV Financing
ReGenEarth Launches £100M Green Bond to Scale Biochar Carbon Removal Tech
Eni’s Versalis Unveils Demo Plant for Breakthrough Plastic Recycling Tech ‘Hoop
EPP Rejects EU Green Claims Directive, Urges Full Withdrawal
Rubicon Carbon Launches Rated Carbon Credit Portfolio with AAport Certification from BeZero
TerraPower Secures $650M to Accelerate Advanced Nuclear Deployment
Norway Launches World’s First Full-Scale Carbon Capture and Storage Value Chain
Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) has launched the Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Green and Social Bond Active UCITS ETF (GEMS)
Google Maps Expands Sustainable Travel Features Across Europe
Datamaran launches Core Product to Streamline ESG Risk & Reporting
SAP Secures 37,000 Tons of Carbon Removals Through Climeworks Partnership
UN Global Compact Network Appoints Former Meta ESG Head Amanda Gardiner as Executive Director
KKR Acquires Zenith Energy to Expand Off-Grid Renewable Power in Australia
Amazon Becomes First to Use Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Ontario Airport in Neste Deal
IFRS Foundation Launches Free E-Learning Modules to Support ISSB Standards Adoption
UN Global Compact Launches CMO Blueprint for SustainUN Global Compact Launches CMO Blueprint for Sustainable Growth at Cannes Lionsable Growth at Cannes Lions
France Targets Ultra-Fast Fashion with Eco-Tax, Ad Ban, and Transparency Rules
SEC Drops ESG Disclosure and Shareholder Proposal Rules as Regulatory Rollbacks Accelerate
Australia Launches Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to Guide Net Zero Investment
","session_id":"ep-sess-1760557207-olZJpqJv","page_url":"https:\/\/esgnews.com\/japan-prime-minister-kishida-says-japan-pensions-with-600-billion-to-sign-esg-pact\/","post_id":"22952","tracking_enabled":"1","original_referrer":"","has_embedded_content":""}; /* ]]> */