Efforts Related to the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were adopted at the UN Summit held in September 2015, and are composed of 17 goals and 169 targets that the world should aim to address by 2030. Corporations are also expected to implement more significant initiatives and make contributions toward the achievement of the SDGs.

Our Approach to the Sustainable Development Goals

We have identified Materiality (key sustainability areas) in response to the expectations and demands of our stakeholders based on medium– to long–term impact on our corporate value, as well as the strategic importance and affinity of such areas with our strategies, and are proactively implementing initiatives that contribute to the SDGs.

Materiality (key sustainability areas)		Main Initiatives
Declining birthrate and aging population, plus good health and lengthening lifespans	In an age of longer lifespans, provide safe, stable, and convenient services tailored to each individual’s needs	Asset formation initiatives Expanding services that accommodate changing demographic trends Digitalization
Industry development & innovation	Support industry and business development, and create new value on a global basis	Support for start–ups and business succession Digitalization Creating resilient social infrastructure Revitalizing regional economies
Sound economic growth	Contribute to economic development by utilizing financial infrastructure functions to respond to changes in the Japanese and global business environment	Responsible financing and investment Digitalization
Environment & society	Cooperate with customers to realize sustainable social development, including environmental conservation	Climate Change Initiatives Addressing Climate Change (Initiatives based on TCFD Recommendations) Environmental business initiatives Responsible financing and investment Human Rights Financial and Economic Education Social Contributions
Personnel	Based on a corporate culture where employees can act independently, develop a diverse workforce that grows together with customers and society	Employees
Governance	Implement strong corporate governance and stable operational management to benefit customers and society	Corporate Governance System Risk management structure Digitalization Compliance Crime prevention Stakeholder Communication

 

Initiatives for the Sustainable Development Goals

As part of our efforts to achieve the SDGs, we are strengthening our promotion structure and holding seminars and other events. We are pursuing the SDGs as a united group, leveraging the expert functions of each of our group companies.

Strengthening of promotion structure

To support our clients' SDG and ESG initiatives, we are developing a group-wide sustainability promotion structure.

Strengthening support for sustainable businesses

Establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals Business Desk

Mizuho Bank established the Sustainable Development Goals Business Desk in June 2017 with the goal of utilizing innovation to promote economic growth and resolve social issues. The Business Desk leverages the collective expertise of the group to provide cross–entity support for building networks with social entrepreneurs and related agencies and local governments. It discovers and develops social entrepreneurs and businesses that are advancing the latest technologies and adopting new business models, and provides capital raising for social businesses that contribute in fields such as regional vitalization.

Initiatives to support innovative start–ups

Conclusion of the investment agreement for Japan's first "social impact bond": The new results–based public–private partnership method introduced in Hachioji City (Japanese text only) (PDF/258KB)

Achievement of interim results target for increasing number of early cancer detections through social impact bond project in Hachioji City (Japanese text only) (PDF/185KB)

Mizuho Sustainable Development Goals Business Design

Mizuho Information & Research Institute(Currently Mizuho Research & Technologies) launched a service called Mizuho Sustainable Development Goals Business Design, which aims to support Japanese companies in increasing their corporate value through the creation of innovative business and initiatives that contribute to the SDGs in developing countries around the world as well as within Japan.

By utilizing the insight, expertise, and networks that we have cultivated thus far in developing and expanding businesses into markets outside Japan including in developing nations, we will support companies in optimizing their businesses for the SDGs as well as development through the formation of business ecosystems.

Mizuho Sustainable Development Goals Business Design (Japanese text only)

Seminars and other events

FY2021

Joint ESG forum with Nikkei

FY2020

Joint ESG forum with Nikkei

Participation in ESG seminar hosted by Refinitiv

FY2019

Joint ESG forum with Nikkei

Mizuho Business Innovation Forum

5th Mizuho Executive Syndicated Loan Seminar

4th industry-government-academia collaboration seminar

AIST and Mizuho Bank present SDG seminar

Joint ESG and sustainability forum with Nikkei

In February 2020, Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Securities, Mizuho Information & Research Institute (Currently Mizuho Research & Technologies), and Nikkei held a joint ESG forum entitled "Evolution of ESG in 2020: Disclosure as dialogue with markets – Critical strategies for companies and investors in loan and bond markets". The aim of the forum was further understanding of ESG with a focus on ESG–related disclosures and engagement.
In December 2020, Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Trust & Banking, Mizuho Securities, Mizuho Research Institute (currently Mizuho Research & Technologies), Mizuho Information & Research Institute (currently Mizuho Research & Technologies) and Asset Management One co–sponsored with Nihon Keizai Shimbun a forum on sustainability entitled Toward a New Era of Sustainability–Building a New Growth Story and the Potential of Sustainability Solutions. The objective of the forum was to deepen understanding of the viewpoints and challenges of business initiatives aimed at realizing a sustainable society from the perspectives of investors, companies, and financial institutions.
Additionally, in December 2021, Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Trust & Banking, Mizuho Securities, Mizuho Research & Technologies, and Asset Management One conducted an online forum on "The Next Stage of Carbon Neutral Practices and Sustainability: Toward Achieving True SDGs" in collaboration with Nikkei Inc. With the accelerating movement toward a decarbonized society and the achievement of the SDGs, this forum aimed to shed light on perceptions of corporate initiatives and deepen understanding of the challenges being faced to achieve a sustainable society from the perspectives of investors, corporations, and financial institutions.

Participation in ESG seminar hosted by Refinitiv

In October 2020, Mizuho Bank participated as a panelist in an ESG seminar hosted by Refinitiv. Mizuho Bank introduced various ESG financing methods and led discussions on market trends and future prospects.

Mizuho Business Innovation Forum

In February 2020, Mizuho Information & Research Institute (Currently Mizuho Research & Technologies) held the Mizuho Business Innovation Forum with the theme of "Low–carbon targets in finance and their impact". The forum featured wide–ranging discussions on the Financial Sector Science–Based Targets (SBTs), which will encourage target setting among financial institution investors. Specific topics in this regard included the potential impacts the development of international rules and the Financial Sector SBTs may have, through financial institutions, on non–financial and other businesses receiving investment.

4th Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration Seminar

In October 2019, Mizuho Securities held its fourth industry-government-academia collaboration seminar for corporate, local government, and university stakeholders interested in applying such collaboration to solving social issues. Under the theme of "Industry-government-academia efforts to achieve the SDGs: Establishing a sense of ownership in all members of the organization", the seminar featured talks and panel discussions from experts and opportunities for participants to exchange opinions.

AIST and Mizuho Bank present SDG seminar

Mizuho Bank and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), one of the largest public research organizations in Japan, hosted a seminar on SDG topics entitled "Collaborative Innovation and the Creation of New Corporate Value" in July 2019.

Focused on current key issues in the environmental, AI, and intellectual property fields and with a keynote presentation by a representative from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the seminar provided a wide range of information about working with AIST to achieve the SDGs as well as about the SDGs and other items investors are looking for in companies. The seminar was well received by participants, among whom were representatives of corporations, public institutions, and financial institutions.

Mizuho Bank will continue working with AIST to help clients address important issues.