Five companies – MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Suntory Holdings Limited, Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited, and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd. – announced their collaboration as Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Members to advance credible water stewardship in Japan.
Convened by AWS, the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group, made up of AWS Members in Japan, supports the AWS mission: to ignite and nurture leadership in credible water stewardship that recognises and secures the social, cultural, environmental and economic value of freshwater. The purpose of the group is to help build recognition and demand for credible water stewardship amongst companies operating in and from Japan.
Recently, various water issues have become apparent in Japan, such as disasters caused by aging water infrastructure, rising water charges and the devastation of forests in catchment areas previously maintained by forestry workers due to a lack of these workers. Water is also impacting agricultural imports, with frequent droughts and heavy rains around the world affecting crop yields and contributing to rising raw material prices.
To deal with such water risks, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to work together to address water issues and the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group, is a pivotal step in aligning leading companies in Japan with global water stewardship goals. AWS defines water stewardship as: the use of water that is socially and culturally equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial, achieved through a stakeholder inclusive process that involves site- and catchment-based actions.
In cooperation with AWS Secretariat, the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group will promote responsible water resource management in the basin amongst companies based in Japan, and will create an environment in which organisations across sectors can work together to conserve water resources in the basin, thereby spearheading corporate responses to water risks that become apparent in basins both in Japan and overseas. Specifically, the group’s action will include providing a Japan program which incorporates training and capacity development, promote corporate networking and collaborative activities in the basin, and enhance cooperation with governmental agencies.
Adrian Sym, Chief Executive of AWS, said: “Japan is home to several companies with many years of experience in water stewardship. However, they increasingly face growing water risks, both in and outside Japan, that require urgent unilateral and collective action. To drive progress, the Alliance for Water Stewardship is proud to convene the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group, bringing together key stakeholders to collaborate, share insights and accelerate solutions. This marks an exciting new chapter for water stewardship in Japan – one that will build partnerships and help pave the way for a more water-secure future for all.”
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