The Seeds of CSR Born of Reflections on Environmental Pollution--Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture (April 1995)

The Seeds of CSR Born of Reflections on Environmental Pollution--Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture (April 1995)

In the mid-1990s, when the afterglow of Japan's rapid economic growth was still lingering, many parts of the country were in the process of cleaning up environmental problems caused by past industrialization. Anan City in Tokushima Prefecture was no exception, a place where water pollution caused by industrial effluents once had a serious impact on the local community. Particularly in the coastal areas where paper and chemical plants were concentrated, the discharge of toxic substances into the ocean and foul odor problems threatened the lives of residents.

In response to this situation, local companies themselves began to take voluntary remedial measures in addition to administrative guidance. Symbolic of this trend are the strengthening of effluent management standards by companies and the establishment of so-called "environmental councils," or places for discussion with local residents. Traditionally, corporate activities and local communities have tended to be viewed as opposites, but Anan City sought to deepen mutual understanding and restore trust through collaboration.

Behind this is the concept of "corporate social responsibility (CSR)," which gradually began to penetrate Japan in the early 1990s. In particular, it was a time when "accountability" and "environmentally conscious management" were beginning to be recognized as part of corporate ethics, based on the lessons learned from pollution lawsuits. Anan City companies were at the forefront of this trend and introduced a monitoring system with the participation of local residents, which can be considered an early model of CSR. Residents toured the wastewater treatment facility and received regular reports from the company, thereby establishing a highly transparent relationship.

This initiative was more than just an environmental measure; it also contributed to the rebuilding of the corporate brand. The breakaway from bad publicity and the realization of coexistence with the local community represent a turning point toward a sustainable business model and a new form of CSR born in a regional city.