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Booost Company Hosts SSBJ Working Group's First Meeting

On June 15, 2026, Booost Company, a leader in sustainability solutions, organized the first session of the second term of the Sustainability Leadership Community's SSBJ Working Group, attended by 15 companies with a market capitalization exceeding 500 billion yen. The event aimed at supporting corporate value management by visualizing non-financial information's impact on financial performance. Booost, based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, focuses on the intersection of sustainability and AI.

Understanding the Shift from Disclosure to Implementation

A key theme of this meeting was the evolution of SSBJ (Sustainability Standards and Benchmarking Framework) compliance. The focus is shifting away from mere compliance to integrating sustainability-related risks and opportunities directly into management strategies and financial data. The need for a consistent narrative that explains corporate value creation to investors was emphasized, highlighting practical challenges faced by many organizations in aligning their governance with their business units effectively.

Insights from Katsuya Kikuchi

The session featured guest speaker Katsuya Kikuchi, former SSBJ committee member and CEO of Co-Create Frontier. He presented insights on how companies should perceive SSBJ compliance as a critical management issue rather than a procedural task. The attendees engaged in fruitful discussions, sharing their current compliance status and the strategic dilemmas they face in enhancing corporate value through sustainability initiatives.

Main Discussion Topics

During the meeting, several vital points were brought to light:

• - Management Challenge: Shift the perspective on SSBJ from merely a disclosure task to a comprehensive management challenge for improving corporate value.
• - Investor Insights: Increasing interest in disclosure from the investor's viewpoint, stressing the importance of transparency and relevance.
• - Connecting Information: The need to integrate non-financial and financial data into a cohesive corporate value narrative.
• - Cross-Department Collaboration: Building a collaborative framework involving executives, finance, IR, and operational teams to tackle these challenges effectively.
• - Specific Action Plans: Developing clear policies and roadmaps for achieving objectives in alignment with the SSBJ framework.

Participant Feedback

A follow-up survey rated participant satisfaction at 4.7 out of 5, with positive feedback highlighting the value of discussions about peer practices and investor-oriented compliance. Participants expressed a desire to deepen their understanding of how SSBJ compliance can evolve into strategic management initiatives, improving their readiness for future requirements.

Related Content and Learning Opportunities

Katsuya Kikuchi has also contributed to Booost's own media platform, Sustainability Leadership Media, providing further insights on the core principles of SSBJ and its impact on corporate value disclosure. For those seeking detailed knowledge on SSBJ and its implications, several articles are available:

• - "SSBJ: The 'Second Accounting Big Bang' – The Essence of Disclosure That Impacts Corporate Value"
• - "Breaking Free from Linear Thinking in Mid-Term Management Plans: A Dual Strategy for Uncertain Times"

Looking Ahead: SSBJ Working Group's Second Term

The second term of the SSBJ Working Group will continue from June to November 2026, comprising six sessions designed for corporate leaders overseeing SSBJ compliance. The meetings will feature interactive lectures and group discussions aimed at crafting optimal responses for companies. With a maximum of 16 participating firms permitted per session, all sessions are free of charge.

About the Sustainability Leadership Community (SLC)

The SLC, under the motto “Together for Sustainability,” is a community meant for practitioners focused on sustainability promotion, information disclosure, and enhancing corporate value. As expectations for compliance with sustainability regulations rise globally, companies are urged to integrate their strategies with operational practices effectively. Through meetings, conferences, events, and the Sustainability Leadership Media platform, the SLC supports knowledge sharing and networking across various industries. As of June 2026, it boasts over 1,067 members from 730 organizations, including many of Japan's leading companies.

Tackling the 2026 Sustainability Challenge

Facing the imminent need for sustainability-related financial disclosures, many companies are grappling with the realization that the current pace may lead to diminished corporate profitability. Booost has launched the “Japan as a Sustainable Transformation Leader” project, aiming to elevate Japan’s profile in sustainability on a global stage through collective industry efforts.

About Booost Company

Booost Company, founded in April 2015 and headquartered in Tokyo, focuses on developing sustainability ERP solutions and offering consulting services in this field. With a commitment to fostering corporate sustainability through innovative technology, Booost is well-positioned to guide organizations in navigating the evolving landscape of sustainability compliance.

For more detailed information about Booost and its initiatives, visit their corporate website.