#Japan #Tokyo #ESG Finance #Sustainable Finance #Japan Environment

Japan's 9th ESG Finance High-Level Panel

The Ministry of the Environment in Japan is set to host the 9th ESG Finance High-Level Panel, gathering top industry leaders from finance and investment sectors. This initiative aims to further mainstream ESG finance in Japan, following the recommendations outlined in the 2018 report by the ESG Finance Council.

Overview of the Business

Launched in February 2019, this panel serves as a platform for national collaboration between the government and key industry figures to enhance awareness and implementation of ESG finance. Over the years, the panel has been instrumental in monitoring the progress of ESG initiatives established in line with previous recommendations.

The upcoming session will reflect on the progress made since the eighth panel's declaration aimed at establishing a greener economic system and will explore further actions for deepening ESG finance.

Event Details

• - Date and Time: March 6, 2026 (Friday), from 15:00 to 17:30 (Japan Standard Time)
• - Location: Tokyo International Forum, 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
• - Format: Hybrid, combining in-person attendance with an online web conference system, allowing the general public to view the session online.

Agenda Overview

(Subject to change)

Part 1: Progress on the Declaration of Financial Actions Towards a Green Economic System

1. Initiatives by the Ministry of the Environment for Promoting ESG Finance
Takao Shiraishi
(Director-General for Global Environment Policy, Ministry of the Environment)
2. Initiatives for Promoting Sustainable Finance
Dai Okada
(Director-General for Policy Planning at the Financial Services Agency)
3. Sustainability Initiatives by Regional Banks
Tatsuya Kataoka
(Chairman of the Regional Banks Association of Japan / President & CEO of Yokohama Financial Group, Inc.)
4. Discussion Panel

Part 2: Deepening ESG Finance

1. Banking Sector Initiatives on Sustainability
Junichi Hanzawa
(Chairman of the Japanese Bankers Association / President & CEO of MUFG Bank, Ltd.)
2. Promotion of ESG Investment in Kyushu, Okinawa, and Yamaguchi Regions
Keisuke Takegahara
(Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies)
Ryo Goto
(Director of Industrial Promotion at the Kyushu Economic Federation)
3. Funding Models for Impact Startups
Haruka Mera
(Executive Director of the Impact Startup Association / CEO of READYFOR, Inc.)
4. Discussion Panel

Resources

Materials from this panel will be published on the Ministry of the Environment's website following the event. Ministry of the Environment ESG High-Level Panel

Online Participation and Media Coverage

The panel will be streamed online for those interested. To register for online viewing, please complete the form by February 27, 2026, at 17:00 JST.
Registration URL: Online Registration
Media representatives wishing to attend should also register using the same form. An archival video will be available on the Ministry's website after the event.

For information on panel participants, please see the Ministry's press release page: Press Release