#Japan #Tokyo #Booost #SSBJ #Sustainability Leadership Community

Fourth SSBJ Workshop Hosted by SLC

The Sustainability Leadership Community (SLC), Japan's largest community focused on sustainability, recently convened its fourth SSBJ (Sustainability Standards for Business in Japan) workshop on October 15, 2025. Attracting leaders from various sectors, the event aimed to enhance literacy in sustainability through the sharing of experiences and knowledge, all under the theme of "Together for Sustainability."

Operating as a free registration-based community, SLC, which boasts 795 members from 514 companies as of September 2025, is supported by Booost Inc., a leading provider of sustainability Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions in Japan. The SLC community regularly hosts events featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to drive forward the sustainability conversations in corporate environments.

Overview of the Fourth SSBJ Workshop

This edition of the SSBJ workshop focused on the quantification of financial impacts associated with sustainability. Participants from Prime-listed companies engaged in active debates surrounding both challenges and potential solutions. For the first time, the workshop facilitated industry-specific group discussions that allowed attendees to share insights relevant to their unique business contexts.

The discussions highlighted various practical points:

• - Many companies are progressing towards disclosure based on TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures), but there remains a notable disparity in the ability to quantify financial impacts on an individual basis.
• - While the calculation of carbon taxes and fluctuations in raw material costs is relatively straightforward, the quantification of human rights, natural capital, and physical risks poses significant challenges. Hypothetical calculations often struggle to achieve consensus within organizations.
• - Some companies are utilizing external scenarios for financial simulations and assessing potential impacts of new business opportunities driven by alternative materials.

Feedback from the event showed high levels of satisfaction, with attendees stating they could update their perspectives based on the discussions with others and gained valuable insights from the collaborative discussions.

SLC continues to commit to providing opportunities for practical issue resolution for participating companies and supporting sustainability professionals in their endeavors. Those interested in joining or learning more about the workshops are encouraged to reach out to the SLC operations office.

Ongoing SSBJ Workshops

The SSBJ workshops are structured to run from July 2025 to January 2026, occurring monthly and targeting professionals and managers in sustainability, corporate planning, and investor relations. Participants can expect:

• - A foundational understanding of SSBJ guidelines, alongside the practical challenges faced by businesses.
• - Insight into advanced examples from other companies, allowing participants to leverage best practices in their own sustainability efforts.
• - Networking opportunities that facilitate the exchange of "practical knowledge" among peers across various sectors.
• - Access to thought leadership that can aid in articulating sustainability insights to corporate executives and other departments.

Addressing the 2026 Sustainability Challenge

Currently, numerous companies face delays in complying with mandatory disclosures of sustainability-related financial information, spurred on by a lack of urgency and preparedness. This phenomenon, referred to as the Sustainability 2026 Challenge, poses a risk of diminishing corporate value. In response, Booost Inc., the governing body of SLC, launched the "Japan as a Leader in SX" project in November 2024, aiming to tackle this challenge proactively. The project encompasses events and support measures tailored for both frontline staff and executives, with a focus on enabling meaningful dialogues specifically for sustainability professionals.

About the Sustainability Leadership Community (SLC)

SLC, which was established on February 27, 2023, aims to foster a culture of collaboration among organizations and individuals striving for a sustainable society. Utilizing online platforms like the Sustainability SNS, SLC members can interact regularly, participate in community events, and enhance their understanding and practices concerning sustainability. By collaborating with other stakeholders, SLC envisions a fundamental shift towards sustainable social and economic structures in Japan.

Participants are invited to join the SLC community free of charge, gaining invaluable connections with industry experts, best practices in sustainability strategy, and building networks with ESG promotion departments across various industries. For more details, visit the SLC website or complete the membership application form.