Strategic Focus: Understanding ESG & Sustainability Regulations And Reporting In Japan

16 Jun, 2025

Access this research

Access all Corporate Sustainability Leaders content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report

Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance

Executive Summary

Sustainability is a critical consideration in Japan, with economic, social and geographical factors at play. The country frequently finds itself in the path of extreme weather and geological events. Its history of product innovation and – more recently – competition in a global marketplace have significantly contributed to the development of its macroeconomic strategy and social policy. Bringing each of these factors together, Japan’s government is focused on building a regulatory landscape that promotes resilience and transparency. This report provides executives with an overview of Japan’s sustainability landscape and how they can prepare for entering its markets.
Japan’s ESG and sustainability regulatory regime is evolving
Historical influences and current necessities drive Japan’s ESG and sustainability agenda
Transparency and investor demand drive regulatory focus on resilience and opportunity
Firms in Japan should prepare themselves for the opportunities on offer

Figure 1. Japan’s key sustainability visions, policies and regulations
Figure 2. Timeline of circular economy models in Japan
Figure 3. Changes in Japan’s Corporate Governance Code

About the Authors

Callum Millard

Callum Millard

Analyst

Callum is an Analyst at Verdantix, helping firms navigate the evolving ESG, sustainability, product innovation and product stewardship landscapes, to drive value creation and ...

View Profile
Kim Knickle

Kim Knickle

Research Director

Kim Knickle is a Research Director at Verdantix, bringing more than two decades of analyst experience to the evolving world of sustainability. Her current research spans ESG a...

Other related content

Webinar
Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainability Assurance & Due Diligence
Sustainability & Climate Risks
ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change Services
The State Of Sustainability: 2026 Globa...

The sustainability market is shifting fast – and not always in the direction anyone expected. Regulatory rollbacks and expansions, geopolitical realignment, and tightening budgets ...

Upcoming / 08 September, 2026

Webinar
Sustainable Supply Chains
Digital Grid Technologies
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change Services
Corporate Energy Transition Solutions
Corporate Energy Leaders
Carbon Management Software
Built Environment Energy & Decarbonization
Utility Customer Platforms: Navigating ...

Utilities are managing billing, CRM, customer engagement and DER operations across separate systems designed for a one-way energy model, which is now expiring. In the UK, National ...

Upcoming / 03 September, 2026

Industry Events
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software
AI Platforms & Applications
Industry Event // Why sustainability re...

The reporting burden has shifted. So has the opportunity. CSRD, ESRS, and a growing wave of global assurance requirements have pulled sustainability data into the same governance m...

Upcoming / 17 September, 2026

Blog
Climate Financial Data & Analytics
Carbon Management Software
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
CDP’s Permira Deal Signals A New Phase ...

CDP's decision to bring in private equity backing marks more than a change in ownership. It may represent a turning point in the evolution of the sustainability market itself. The ...

03 August, 2026

Blog
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
Oregon’s Court Battle Puts Packaging EP...

In July 2025, Oregon became the first US state to launch an extended producer responsibility (EPR) programme for packaging. One year later, its Plastic Pollution and Recycling Mode...

28 July, 2026

Webinar
Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainability & Climate Risks
Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change Services
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
State Of The Market: Sustainability Con...

The sustainability market is shifting fast — and not always in the direction anyone expected. Regulatory rollbacks and expansions, geopolitical realignment, and tightening budgets ...

23 July, 2026