What is the relationship between culture and corporate responsibility? How do various social mores and traditions influence how various countries view business and human rights? And what can different nations learn from each other on their sustainability journey? 

This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Akiko Sato, Business and Human Rights Project Officer at the United Nations Development Programme and Special Adviser at the NGO Pillar Two to explore the state of responsible business in Japan, from the Edo dynasty to today. 

Together they discussed the Japanese government’s human rights supply chain due diligence guidelines, as well as how companies in Japan have been responding. You’ll also hear more about: 

• Japan’s leadership in climate disclosure through a record number of signatories to the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 

• The growing momentum across Asia on corporate accountability, with Thailand, South Korea, and Indonesia developing mandatory human rights due diligence laws 

• The traditional Japanese concept of Sanpo-yoshi, meaning “good for the seller, good for the buyer, and good for society 

• The role culture plays in shaping how Japanese companies are conducting sustainability reporting and human rights due diligence  

• Why gender inequality is one of Japan’s biggest human rights challenges, with Japan ranking among the lowest in the G7 on the gender gap index 

• How Japanese companies have been reacting to the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive as well as the recent Omnibus proposals  

• Akiko’s insights into the lessons the world can take from Japan’s sustainability journey 

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