Back to overview Interview Partner Asia   Interview Partner Japan Graham Lane, General Manager, Asia Environmental Group Bovis Lend Lease, Tokyo, Japan “Traditionally the relationship of humans and nature in Japan was about protecting the humans from the forces of nature not the other way around.” – how the love for a country can do good and why a construction company can contribute. Read more... Dr. Kiyohiko G. Nishimura, Member of the Policy Board, Bank of Japan, Tokyo, Japan “There are many socially desirable but privately not yet profitable investment opportunities in Japan.” – how Dr. Nishimura contributes to the development of Japanese economy and what brings satisfaction. Read more... Junko Edahiro, Co-Chief Executive, Japan for Sustainability, Kanagawa, Japan “I believe the root cause of many of our prob-lems today is the loss of interconnectedness.” – why it is time for rediscovery and what we need a “Fountain of Hope” for. Read more… Yusuke Saraya, President, Saraya Co., Osaka, Japan “The role of government is to provide rules that would benefit sustainable enterprises and punish unsustainable development.” – how Saraya improved its positive impact and why elephants profit from it. Interview to be published soon Hitoshi Suzuki, Chief Manager Social Contributions and CSR Promotions, NEC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan “A couple of years ago our big ICT customers in Europe and the USA started pushing NEC to change its behaviour in the area of sustainability, as part of their supply chains.” – how international standards can provoke change and how important environment was 20 years ago. Read more... Safia Minney, Founder & President, People Tree, and Founder Global Village, Tokyo, Japan “I was shocked to find out how much informa-tion all the business leaders and politicians are missing.” – why Fair Trade, organic clothing is not only sexy but can also save lives. Read more… Lena Lindahl, Japan Representative, Sustainable Sweden Association, Tokyo, Japan “I try to export Swedish sustainability know-how to improve the environmental situation in Japan.” – how Lena brings the environment close to Tokyo city people and why big is not always bad. Read more... Yutaka Okayama, Project General Manager Planning Group, Environmental Affairs Division, Toyota Motor Corporation, Tokyo, Japan “The major point in the enterprise environment field is top managements’ understanding and commitment.” – what 20 years of a person’s commitment can change in a company and how environmental care can measurably add value to an enterprise. Read more... Yoshiyuki Tsuji, Group Manager Environmental Administration Group Environmental Department, Shigenori Maeda & Masaki Takafumi, Environmental Administration Group Environmental Department, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Tokyo, Japan “We don’t believe that renewable energy will be able to cover more than 1% of Japanese demand, even in the future. The cost would be immense.” – why an energy supplier tries to reduce demand and how people from different backgrounds can team up for improvements. Read more... Yoshioka Tatsuya, Founder and Director, Joel Challender, Coordinator Interpreter, Peace Boat, Tokyo, Japan “On the Peace Boat young people have the opportunity to experience the true world, not only read about it.” – how a student wanted to know why some history books are wrong and how to create peace. Interview to be published soon Hideyuki Inoue, Managing Director, ETIC Social Venture Center, Tokyo, Japan “I our generation we want to add some value to society. It is our time. It is our lifestyle.” – how young people want and can change the world and why social entrepreneurs are especially appropriate. Interview to be published soon Hiroyasu Ichikawa, Employee Axiom Co. & Founder SocialCompany, Tokyo, Japan “I wanted to change the world by working for an NGO or by becoming a diplomat or a politician.” – how traditional processes can hinder social entrepreneurship and why a “rice job” is important. Interview to be published soon Takako Okamura, Founder, Organic Concierge Association, Tokyo, Japan “The word “organic” does exist in Japan but it does not have too much meaning in terms of practical products” – how Australian Hippies can help to bring healthy food to Japan. Read more... Gunter Pauli, President, Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI), Japan “Whatever is waste for one is input for another.” – how ZERI responds to the basic needs of people and the environment and why they think several problems are easier to solve than one. Read more… back to top