#Japan #Tokyo #animal welfare #Lively #AWCP

Introduction

Lively LLC has made a significant announcement regarding the launch of its integrated management support services focused on animal welfare, effective from December 2025. This initiative is designed to help companies in the livestock industry address animal welfare concerns by providing comprehensive consulting services that encompass both management strategies and practical implementations.

Background and Purpose

Animal welfare has increasingly gained recognition as a crucial topic in environmental, human, and social governance (ESG), particularly in Western countries. The food and livestock sectors must comply with various regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which call for transparency regarding animal welfare practices throughout the value chain.

In Europe, frameworks like the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) and the FAIRR Initiative foster collaboration among businesses, academia, and nonprofit organizations to establish standards and facilitate social implementation, thereby reinforcing corporate accountability.

In Japan, compliance with the Japanese version of the ISSB standards is progressing, leading to an increasing emphasis on evaluating the impact of animal welfare across supply chains as a management issue, particularly in sectors involving animal-based products such as retail, meat, poultry, and dairy.

Lively's Initiatives

1. Goal Setting

Lively aims to establish short to mid-term goals for animal welfare aligned with international standards (WOAH, OECD, ISO, EU Farm to Fork) and corporate philosophies.

2. Strategy Development & KPI Design

Lively will create a strategic roadmap and KPI framework, addressing the risk and opportunities at various stages of procurement, production, and sales.

3. Risk and Opportunity Visualization

Risk assessments of supply chains, investment impacts, brand influence analysis, and quantitative improvement scenarios will be conducted.

4. Governance Structure

Establishing internal policies, committee formations, audit, and certification processes ensures a sustainable management system.

5. Information Disclosure Strategy

Lively's disclosure policies will adhere to key international standards related to animal welfare, focusing on both the impact on corporate value and societal/environmental implications.

6. Monitoring and Support

Ongoing monitoring of progress, data gathering support, and alignment checks with third-party reviews ensure effective implementation.

7. Training and Workshops

Interactive workshops and training sessions will be organized for management, staff, and various departments, incorporating international trends, scientific knowledge, and case studies.

Collaboration with Experts

Lively LLC leads this service and collaborates with:

• - Professor Toshiaki Shinmura from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, who provides academic insights into animal welfare sciences and animal behavior to ensure a rigorous assessment through third-party reviews and advisory services.
• - Animal Welfare Corporate Partners Japan (AWCP), a nonprofit organization committed to sharing expert knowledge based on international standards and policies while facilitating dialogue for this initiative.

Expert Commentary

Professor Toshiaki Shinmura

“Animal welfare is rooted in science, yet it encompasses challenges that cannot be solved through science alone. I hope to contribute to discussions that lead to better practices while providing objective information.”

Mahoko Uehara, AWCP

“Transitioning to cage-free systems for laying hens isn’t just an ethical trend; it’s an irreversible global standard. Companies must adopt this as a core business strategy to mitigate future market loss and investment risks.”

Lively’s Commitment

With an eye towards a sustainable future, Lively is set on realizing a planet where rich life thrives. Operating since December 2022, Lively has focused on consulting with domestic and international businesses on various topics, including net-zero, circular economy, biodiversity, animal welfare, and well-being. The diverse backgrounds of our team members from different sectors such as business, finance, consulting, law, academia, and NGOs allow us to deliver practical consultancy while engaging in research and development for future innovations.

We aim to integrate animal welfare into corporate strategy, treating it as a pivotal aspect of sustainability and a competitive edge in the market. If you are interested in our services or have inquiries, please feel free to contact us!