Social Investment Forum Japan Launched

The Social Investment Forum Japan (SIF-Japan) was established in November 2003 and will hit the ground running as an independent non-profit organization in Spring 2004. SIF-Japan aims to develop and popularize Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) in the Japanese market. Its membership includes financial institutions, corporations, academics, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, and individuals. Playing a leading role are Mr. Toshihiko Goto, Chairman of the Environmental Auditing Research Group, and other members who have been studying SRI for the last two years.

In socially responsible investing, companies are evaluated from the standpoint of corporate social responsibility as well as financial performance. Other aspects of SRI include shareholder advocacy initiatives and community investment. In Japan, an increasing number of companies publish their environmental and sustainability reports, and show a growing interest in SRI in their responses to overseas SRI ratings and inquires from research institutions.

Various SRI funds such as "Eco-funds" are now available in Japan, but they are not well known among investors and financial institutions. The prospects and role of SRI have not yet been properly recognized due to a lack of communication among stakeholders, including investors, fund management companies, screening/research agencies and corporations.

SIF-Japan intends to facilitate effective information exchange among stakeholders, and plans to hold seminars and symposiums, raise awareness through its website, and develop an SRI database. In order to ensure sound capital flow to businesses with strong social responsibility, a system for doing so needs to be built into the society.



Posted: 2004/04/14 08:02:10 PM
Japanese version