Environmental reports and CSR in Japan

In Japan, over 700 companies publish either "environmental reports" or "social/environmental reports" that cover social issues as well. According to a survey by the Ministry of the Environment, companies publishing such reports account for 40 percent of listed companies and almost 20 percent of unlisted companies with more than 500 employees.

Mr. Toru Chikushi, Senior Researcher of Planning and Research Division in General Press Corporation's Sustainability Communication Department, says, "Replacing the term 'sustainability' with 'CSR' helped specify the scope of corporate responsibility..."

Mr. Chikushi points out the weakness of environmental reports in Japan, saying, "Japanese companies are not good at expressing their ideas. There are few reports that express the passion of those who are trying to send a message." He adds, "We would like them to elucidate the goals they are working towards, the challenges that they are still facing, and their determination to tackle these challenges. Communicating only the company's strengths and the challenges that have been successfully met is no different from mere boasting. Readers might develop a negative image of a company that issues such a report."

Read more at Japan for Sustainability
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