SUCCESS
STORIES

FY2022

HAKKI AFRICA INC

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“The Tokyo Financial Award is a great opportunity to open your company to third-party evaluations and to gain a solid stronghold from which to further build your business.”

(Interviewee)Mr. Reiji Kobayashi, CEO, HAKKI AFRICA INC

 Please share what prompted your company to apply for the Tokyo Financial Award.

The trust that third parties place in our company is a vital component of our business, because our ability to procure financing is a major factor in our growth. Governor Koike once said gaining external recognition as a global player enables Japanese companies to more fully demonstrate their growth potential to investors, and this is precisely what we aimed to accomplish.

 What do you think makes Tokyo a successful financial hub?

Our group businesses operate within the financial sector, with asset finance as our primary concern. Japan now boasts the lowest market interest rates in the world, something we attribute to stagnation in capital flows despite the degree of surplus funds in the market. Even taken in isolation, these low interest rates act as a major incentive to obtain financing in Tokyo for use in emerging countries, where the demand for capital is the highest in the world. This is one of the city's many competitive advantages. Speaking from first-hand experience operating businesses in other countries, Tokyo provides a world-class environment that facilitates lending to startups in need of financing.

 What kind of reaction have you seen both inside and outside your company after being awarded the Tokyo Financial Award?

More investors are willing to contact us themselves, and the award also helps us build foundations of trust when conducting investor outreach.

 Is there anything you would like to say to companies that are considering applying for the 2023 Tokyo Financial Award?

Award recipients gain access to more opportunities, such as investor-initiated discussions. Tokyo boasts a major confluence of people, goods, and money, and ensuring that your company has a presence at the source is crucial. Open your company to a third-party evaluation in this environment, and you gain an objective stronghold from which to further build your business. The benefits offered by the Tokyo Financial Award scale with the size of the recipient's ambitions for global success, and I urge anyone who fits this description to apply.


TOKYO FINANCIAL AWARD 2022 - Interview of awarded company in ESG Investment Category

HAKKI AFRICA INC

▼Service Overview :
Financing services for businesses in Africa that are unable to secure vehicle purchase loans due to a lack of credit
Utilizes a unique scoring model based on mobile payment usage history and sales data. Since July 2022, focuses on e-bike financing to reduce CO2 emissions
▼HAKKI AFRICA INC
HP:https://hakki-africa.com/en/

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OUI Inc

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“Winning the award led to an influx of inquiries from insurers and other private businesses, as well as opportunities to further expand our business.”

(Interviewee)Dr. Eisuke Shimizu, CEO, OUI Inc

 Please share what prompted your company to apply for the Tokyo Financial Award.

We came across the Tokyo Financial Award during our search for awards that would help our start-up find its next success story. The primary driver in our decision to apply for the Tokyo Financial Award was the endorsement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This fact alone sets it apart from the other awards we considered. Another factor which drew us to the award program was the substantial and long-lasting support offered to recipients. This follow-up interview is but one of many such examples.

 What do you think makes Tokyo a successful financial hub?

The Greater Tokyo Area plays host to the lives and activities of nearly 40 million people. So much can be accomplished just within its limits. Everything needed to create and provide our services is within easy reach, and this enables us to take action on our knowledge that suitable ophthalmologic care would otherwise be unavailable to a surprising number of people.

 What kind of reaction have you seen both inside and outside your company after being awarded the Tokyo Financial Award?

Winning a finance award had a direct effect on boosting our employees’ motivation, as winning anything unrelated to healthcare was foreign to our company. Also, our major clients were originally independent medical practitioners and medical institutions. A major benefit of winning the award has been the series of inquiries we received from insurers and other private businesses seeking to leverage our services to provide medical examinations to a greater number of people. With the spotlight of the Tokyo Financial Award focused on healthcare, our business has gained footholds in a wide range of domains that would otherwise have remained inaccessible.

 Is there anything you would like to say to companies that are considering applying for the 2023 Tokyo Financial Award?

Every company stands to benefit from the prestige offered by the Tokyo Financial Award, particularly given its status as an award sponsored and conferred by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Award recipients even benefit from increased notability on Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites. The Tokyo Financial Award is uniquely positioned to both uplift and spur the development of businesses under its purview, and I highly recommend that every interested company apply.


TOKYO FINANCIAL AWARD 2022 - Interview of awarded company in ESG Investment Category

OUI Inc

▼Service Overview :
Provides an ophthalmic medical device (Smart Eye Camera) that can be attached to a smartphone. With the device, ophthalmic diseases can be diagnosed using AI or remote medical examination. Contributes to SDGs (Goal3: Good Health and Well-being) by facilitating the early detection of blindness among patients on remote islands or in developing countries where access to medical facilities is not readily available.
▼OUI Inc
HP:https://ouiinc.jp/en/top/

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FY2021

SBICAP Ventures Limited

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“The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s support is a major source of motivation for companies seeking entry into the Japanese market.”

(Interviewee)Ms.Anjana Seshadri, Neev Funds Vice President, SBICAP Ventures Limited

 Please share what prompted your company to apply for the Tokyo Financial Award.

I represent Neev Fund from SBICAP Ventures Limited. The fund has investments from many countries, notably JICA of Japan, and looked to Japan as a major geography for collaboration, especially for the companies we make investments into. We see a high linkage for collaboration, for innovation, and for transfer of climate technology between the two countries.
Once we applied, we also realize that the jury was a stellar one, spanning across business, academia and administration.

 What do you think makes Tokyo a successful financial hub?

Tokyo is a global financial hub and one of the largest conglomerates of financial institution and is already home to many global citizens. It has a nurturing business environment and a vibrant cultural living environment, making it quite an attraction.

 What kind of reaction have you seen both inside and outside your company after being awarded the Tokyo Financial Award?

Our stakeholder within our organization, especially from the State Bank of India Group and our investors from Japan, UK and EU were ecstatic. The stakeholders who we work with outside our fund were also equally thrilled and we received a lot of congratulatory messages. Some of our portfolio companies started having a lot of interest in collaboration with Japan, especially on technology, and we were trying to set up some meetings with certain Japanese companies for our portfolio.

 Is there anything you would like to say to companies that are considering applying for the Tokyo Financial Award?

Tokyo Financial Awards is promoted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Tokyo offers many benefits and support, especially with respect to promotion, establishment of new businesses, and global recognition, needless to say. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government encourages global businesses to come to Japan and establish businesses and alliances. This is a major source of motivation for companies seeking to enter Japanese market.


TOKYO FINANCIAL AWARD 2021 - Interview of awarded company in ESG Investment Category

SBICAP Ventures Limited

▼Service Overview :
Developed Neev Fund, a private equity fund focusing on investments in SMEs in India that seek solutions to climate change and environmental issues. Balances investment returns while focusing on ESG and impact on climate change solutions with support and investment from global investors such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of Government of UK, and the State Bank of India (SBI) Group, as well as JICA
▼SBICAP Ventures Limited
HP:https://sbicapventures.com/

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FY2020

Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)

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“We’ve got a lot of positive feedback from investors and partners from across the world who’ve come in to buy the bond and who recognize the fact that we’ve been awarded the Tokyo Financial Award.”

(Interviewee)Ms. Natasha Garcha, Senior Director,
Innovative Finance and Gender-Lens Investing Specialist
Mr. Saumya Jain, Senior Vice President, Innovative Finance
Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)

 Why did you decide to apply to the Tokyo Financial Award?

We applied to the award to bring attention to the power of women in Asia to build COVID-resilient economies and drive climate action, and to be at the forefront of creating a more resilient world for everyone. We are very honored to have applied for and won the Tokyo Financial Award, as it is a great recognition for IIX’s issuance for the world’s first gender bond (Women’s Livelihood Bond or the IIX WLB Series) to be listed on stock exchange and quoted on Bloomberg. This was also the first time a gender bond used an innovative new structure was designed by a women-led firm from Asia. The WLB Series brings investors from across the world participate, enabling us to mobilize US$78 million to date. The proceeds are deployed across a multi-country, multi-sector portfolio to women-focused entities that empower underserved women across South and Southeast Asia to advance the region’s sustainable development agenda.

 What is the appeal of Tokyo as a financial city?

Tokyo is a leader in many respects. It is one of the major hubs for Asia’s sustainability agenda, with sustainable finance playing a key role. For us, Tokyo is an attractive city because it is at the forefront of building a greener, a more socially inclusive, and a more resilient world. We’re very honored to be part of the Tokyo Financial Award community.

 Did you receive any feedback from inside/outside of your company after receiving the Tokyo Financial Award?

Receiving the Tokyo Financial Award has been an honor, because it has brought attention to the fact that Asia’s financial landscape is not just a high-growth market area and a wonderful place to create sustainable and stable returns, but is also a place for innovation. A lot of the positive feedback we’ve got after winning the award is for showcasing how ESG can be so much more when we add a gender lens, and when we make sure that women are a part of the ESG equation.
 
The WLB Series, which won the award, got a lot of positive feedback because it demonstrated the importance and success of women in leadership positions for social impact. The bond was able to reach women at the last mile, using the proceeds to empower women to build back better after COVID, to create greener, more sustainable climate solutions, and to create food security through investments in sustainable agriculture. We’ve got a lot of positive feedback from the broader market with investors and partners from across the world, who’ve come to recognize the fact that we’ve been awarded the Tokyo Financial Award.

 Can you share a message to companies considering applying to the Tokyo Financial Award?

It’s important to remember three things. Firstly, that Asia is showing great leadership in the sustainability space. It’s very important to have awards like this that recognize that leadership in financial innovation. The second is that innovation should have a strong focus on sustainable development. We believe in today’s day and age that women empowerment has to be a part of that equation. And finally, it’s important for all of us from Asia to come together to create these securities that balance risk, return, and impact through innovative techniques, but also that bring in the rest of the world to recognize the importance of investing in Asia.
 
We are at the forefront of tackling a number of challenges across the world. Women as a part of the economy can build back $13 trillion in global GDP, and on the peace building side, we see women and gender equality is one of the greatest indicators of peace and security of a nation. Investing with that frame and applying for these awards will give you that edge to create catalytic impact and bring Asia to the forefront of the sustainability movement.
 
The Tokyo Financial Award has brought greater visibility to IIX’s WLB Series and by extension to the broader gender-lens investment movement. On this front, IIX has launched the Orange Bond Initiative, the world’s first asset class built by and for the Global South and the 99% as a solution to financing gender equality. The Initiative’s mission is to empower 100 million women and girls worldwide through unlocking US$10 billion by 2030. We encourage other applicants of the Tokyo Finance Award and past awardees who believe in Asia’s role in building gender equal financial markets to join the movement by signing the pledge here.


TOKYO FINANCIAL AWARD 2020 - Interview of awarded company in the ESG investment Category

Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)

▼Main ESG Promotional Activities (based on information available at time of award):
Issued social bonds that focused on promoting the social and economic advancement of women in Asia
▼Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)
HP:https://iixglobal.com/

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Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)
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FY2018

Robeco Japan Company LTD.

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“By receiving the Tokyo Financial Award, our customers have reaffirmed the business we are working on. The response was beyond our imagination.”

(Interviewee)Mr. Shiro Tsubota,
President & Representative Director Japan, Robeco Japan Company LTD.

 Why did you decide to apply to the Tokyo Financial Award?

As a group, Robeco has been involved in the fields of ESG investment and sustainable investment for over 20 years. In Japan, we established a base in 2005, but initially, awareness of ESG investment and sustainable investment was not widespread. However, with the sharp increase in interest in the last few years, I wondered how our social contribution through ESG investment and sustainable investment would be evaluated, and decided to apply for the Tokyo Financial Award.

 What is the appeal of Tokyo as a financial city?

Japan, including Tokyo is an attractive market, with world-class personal financial assets of just under 2,000 trillion yen. In addition, since the effects of climate change are often felt these days, we believe that there are many opportunities for ESG investment and sustainable investment to contribute. Therefore, I think it is very meaningful to carry out ESG investment and sustainable investment in Tokyo and Japan.

 Did you receive any feedback from inside/outside of your company after receiving the Tokyo Financial Award?

The response from inside and outside the company for receiving the award was beyond our imagination. For example, by receiving the Tokyo Financial Award, our customers have reaffirmed the business we are working on. Internally, our Dutch head office reaffirmed our high level of recognition in Japan. Overall, there was a very good response.

 Can you share a message to companies considering applying to the Tokyo Financial Award?

In the midst of major changes not only in financial markets but also in society and the economy, I think it is very important for companies that are steadily working on ESG investment and sustainable investment to have their efforts evaluated at the Tokyo Financial Awards. I hope that those companies will actively apply.


TOKYO FINANCIAL AWARD 2018 - Interview of awarded company in ESG Investment Category

Robeco Japan Company LTD.

▼Main ESG Promotional Activities(based on information available at time of award):
Robeco is an asset management company with a group headquarters in Netherlands. Then-Group company RobecoSAM conducts the annual ESG evaluation for over 4,600 companies throughout the world* and issues the Dow Jones Sustainability Index partnering with S&P Dow Jones Index in the U.S. Also, our Active Ownership Team works with the investment team and RobecoSAM to exercise proxy and engagement activities. We received the Tokyo Financial Award for the ESG Investment Category in recognition of these activities.
▼Robeco Japan Company LTD.
HP:https://www.robeco.com/en/
* RobecoSAM was renamed Robeco Switzerland in 2020. In addition, the company’s ESG rating business was transferred to S&P Global at the beginning of 2020.

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Robeco Japan Company LTD.
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Neuberger Berman East Asia LTD.

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“Applying for the Tokyo Financial Award allowed us to raise the commitment level of all your employees.”

(Interviewee)Mr. Ryo Ohira, CEO, Neuberger Berman East Asia LTD.

 It’s been four years since you received the “Tokyo Financial Award” in 2018. How do you feel when you look back on it?

Receiving the Tokyo Financial Award raised awareness of our distinctive ESG initiatives, and as a result, we have received more requests from institutional investors to speak at seminars, hold study sessions, and share knowledge through our trainee system. Although the international situation is currently undergoing drastic changes, we believe that the trend of expansion of ESG investment will continue in the future.

 What is the appeal of Tokyo as a financial city?

In Japan, individual financial assets totaling 2,000 trillion yen are stagnating in the form of cash and savings accounts and are not being used for investment. This demonstrates that there is significant room for growth for asset management. In addition, after the revision of the Corporate Governance Code, we’re seeing a movement to address sustainability issues on the ground, such as gender diversity and climate change, and we believe that there are many attractive investment opportunities.

 Are there new initiatives and future prospects for the promotion of ESG investment that you currently anticipate?

As more and more Japanese institutional investors commit to “net zero investment,” we are often consulted on how to build a net zero portfolio. We have been entrusted by major institutional investors in Japan and overseas with the management of climate change-friendly multi-credit strategies and private equity impact strategies, and we would like to work closely with institutional investors who are working to combat climate change and create a positive impact on the environment and society and provide solutions for them. In addition, the advance disclosure of voting rights initiative, “NB Votes,” is the first initiative of its kind by a major global asset management company. Since it has taken root in the Japanese market and we are receiving positive feedback, we will continue to strive to deepen our engagement.

 Can you share a message to companies considering applying to the Tokyo Financial Award?

When we applied for the Tokyo Financial Award, we held in-depth ESG discussions with various departments, such as the customer department, investment team, and human resources department. I feel that this was a valuable opportunity for all our employees to understand our advantage points that differentiate us from competitor companies. I recommend applying for the Tokyo Financial Award to further raise the commitment level of all your employees.


TOKYO FINANCIAL AWARD 2018 - Interview of awarded company in the ESG investment Category

Neuberger Berman East Asia LTD.

▼Main ESG Promotional Activities (based on information available at time of award):
An asset management firm headquartered in the United States. In addition to its nearly 80 years of global ESG investment experience, the award recognizes the firm’s wide-ranging engagement experience in managing private companies, stocks, and bonds that are not easily subjected to ESG engagement, and its commitment to the promotion of ESG and improving its transparency, including adherence to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and collaboration with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board in the US.
▼Neuberger Berman East Asia LTD.
HP:https://www.nb.com/japan

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Neuberger Berman East Asia LTD.
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