ABSTRACT
This chapter provides Japan profiles which includes key information about the relevant corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR) history, country-specific issues, trends, research, education and leading organizations. In Japan, CSR-related ideas existed before the establishment of companies themselves. Many traditional Japanese religious practices include a CSR perspective. In post-war Japan, the ideas underlying the concept of CSR became more widespread as a result of environment-related issues. Japan's food self-sufficiency ratio, at around 40%, is one of the lowest in the world. Reporting in Japan is the norm for top companies, although for different reasons from most of the rest of the world. Japan also leads when it comes to CSR strategies and the reporting process, with 86% of companies utilising a CSR strategy and objectives. Japan also has the largest number of companies basing their reports on the recommendations of the Global Reporting Initiative.
