Japanese Business Engagement Policy Towards Achieving Environmental Sustainable Development Goals

This paper is devoted to the problem of the Japanese governmental policy on the environmental Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in relation to business. This paper is based on the theory of ecological modernization with multi-level governance and stakeholders collaboration playing the main role in bringing ecological changes, so therefore insufficient collaboration between the government and business sector may significantly affect the achievements of the 2030 Agenda targets. The problem is especially acute, since there are critical discrepancies between seeming comprehensive approach of Japanese authorities towards government-business collaboration and the lack of the real progress on the environmental SDGs. Although the environmental SDGs are being considered one of the most urgent issues in Japan’s policy discourse, particularly in the context of raising awareness on climate change, the environmental targets are far from being achieved. Thus, the research paper aims to explore the governmental mechanisms of engaging business in achievement of the SDGs by making a thorough outlook of the institutional mechanisms of business engagement policies in Japan, analyzing challenges both government and business are facing in an attempt to achieve environmental SDGs and developing recommendations of how to foster implementation of environmental SDGs among Japanese business. In addition, two case studies on government-business collaboration were conducted, including the case of failed practices described in academic work for the first time. This paper is designed mainly for the use of the governmental policymakers of Japan since its main practical implication is a set of recommendations to be implemented by official authorities as main stakeholders in the SDG implementation process. Moreover, it might be of interest of the Russian policymakers willing to adopt best practices and apply inside the country. Keywords: sustainable development, SDGs, environment, Japan’s policy, business engagement policy