Environment Corporate Responsibility in Green Letter - Takara Shuzo's Challenge 1999

Environment Corporate Responsibility in Green Letter - Takara Shuzo's Challenge 1999

In the 1990s, Japan's economic stagnation following the bursting of the bubble economy was accompanied by a rapid increase in interest in environmental issues. 1997 saw the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, which obligated Japan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions internationally, and required industry to incorporate environmental considerations as part of its management. Against this backdrop, Takara Shuzo's "Green Statement" was a pioneering example of environmental accounting, an attempt to quantify its environmental conservation activities in contrast to its traditional black accounts.

The report included specific data such as the recycling ratio based on the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, the results of energy conservation in manufacturing processes, progress in waste disposal and wastewater treatment measures, and the amount of environment-related investments. The report was intended to fulfill social responsibility through transparent information disclosure, rather than mere publicity, and it served to visualize to shareholders and consumers the company's stance as an "environmentally conscious company.

In addition, the alcoholic beverage industry has been promoting environmentally friendly measures such as the use of returnable glass bottles and lighter paper cartons, and Takara Shuzo's efforts symbolized the direction of the industry as a whole. Especially amidst the growing environmental awareness of consumers, it also functioned as "environmental marketing" to enhance the company's image, and was an important step in the company's transformation into a green company.

The "Green Statement" demonstrated to society that the company was not only pursuing profits, but was also pursuing environmental values.