Recap of the 2nd Booost Sustainability Conference: Transformations During the Transition Period

The 2nd Booost Sustainability Conference: Driving Change and Investment in Transition Times

On October 6, 2025, the 2nd Booost Sustainability Conference took place in Tokyo, hosted by Booost Inc., the leading provider of sustainability ERP solutions in Japan. The event brought together industry experts from investment, consulting, and academia to discuss how companies can effectively navigate the upcoming sustainability transition due by 2026.

Setting the Stage for Activation in Sustainability

The conference aimed to transcend the notion of sustainability as mere compliance, advocating for its integration into corporate strategies as a driver for growth and competitive advantage. Booost's CEO, Hiroki Aoi, opened the event by stressing the importance of viewing sustainability as an engine for corporate growth rather than a regulatory requirement. He highlighted the need for shifts in corporate strategy, warning about the approaching obligations under the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements and the increasing demand for transparency in sustainability efforts.

Exploring Proactive Sustainability Management

A panel discussion moderated by Aoi and featuring executives, including Toshiro Terasawa from Asset Management One and Takashi Ouga from Booost, enhanced discussions centered on “proactive sustainability management.” They examined the role of diversity in enhancing corporate value and fostering business transformation. Terasawa emphasized that genuine commitment from leadership beyond mere CSR is essential to driving true sustainability efforts. He argued that hiring strategies and investment in human capital play pivotal roles in determining a company’s growth potential.

Keynote Insights: A Dual-Focused Strategy

Yoichi Hantani, Managing Director, and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, followed with a keynote on navigating the geopolitical and market changes impacting sustainability. He noted that we stand on the brink of significant structural shifts across multiple areas—a transformational opportunity for businesses. Hantani urged companies to balance defensive and offensive strategies, requiring strategic re-engineering of supply chains and responsive investment in new infrastructure to adapt swiftly to evolving regulations and market conditions.

Launching New Solutions for Sustainable Growth

During the conference, Booost also announced updates to their product, "booost Sustainability," and introduced a new feature, "booost Impact," designed to quantify financial impacts from non-financial risks. This solution aims to streamline the process of managing sustainability metrics, allowing companies to visualize risks in financial terms and align their strategic decision-making accordingly. Aoi highlighted this solution as a critical tool for achieving the foundational changes necessary for successful sustainability transformation in business management.

Conclusion: Sustainability as the New Competitive Edge

The event concluded with reflections on transforming sustainability principles into competitive advantages. Kenji Noma, a professor at Hitotsubashi University, shared that corporate value relates closely to a company's ability to share its sustainability vision—a means of fostering investor confidence. He emphasized that companies devoid of a