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ACTIVITIES

Collaborative Research with Private Companies

In realizing contributions that lead to sustainable medium to long-term management, utilization of “private governance” structures, such as authentication for standardization, can be useful. Looking at individual research themes, such as mid to long-term management through the SDGs, assessment and creation of projects that contribute to ESG investment, development of social impact rating index, etc., we aim to conduct studies based on valid academic foundation and examine strategies in correspondence with the SDGs.

Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd. / ESRI Japan Corporation: Development of the SDGs indicators in Japan and visualization of the indicators using GIS (FY2018 – )
To support Japan’s local municipalities in their efforts to implement the SDGs, from aspects such as the visualization of “SDG indicators”, and to examine the concrete methodologies for visualization and SDG indicators in Japan.

Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.: Development of the SDGs Guidelines for small and medium sized enterprises (FY2022 - )
Development of SDGs Guidelines for its enhancement by small and medium sized enterprises.

MSS Inc.: Development of a SDGs certification system and its social implementation, for small and medium sized enterprises(FY2023)
Building of a SDGs certification scheme system, with focus on the utilization by small and medium sized enterprises, and its social implementation.

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.: The role and contribution of urban gas infrastructure from the perspective of SDGs (FY2021)
Analyzing the role of a carbon-free society and urban gas infrastructure in the medium to long term (2030 - 2050)

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.: Research on contributing to the SDGs through the Construction of the Smart Energy Network (FY2020)
Organize how the construction of the Smart Energy Network can contribute to achieve the SDGs, and consider the related resilience issues based on viewpoints of the SDGs.

Rakuten, Inc.: Developing Criteria for Selecting Products, toward the realization of “Sustainable Shopping” (FY2019 – FY2020)
Construct the criteria for evaluation which enables product selection based on sustainability.

Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.: Creating strategic models for attaining the SDGs towards “A Pleasant Kind of Society (感じの良い社会)” (FY2018 – FY2020)”
Analysis and evaluation of the Ryohin Keikaku products through the SDGs.

TREE Inc.: Development of implementation Model Utilizing Financial Assessment Framework Tool (FY2018 - FY2019)
Developing the implementation model using the Financial Assessment Framework Tool, in cooperation with the xSDG Consortium “Working group on Financial Assessment Platform”.

Collaborative Research with Local Governments

There are many keys and pointers for realizing regional revitalization, that can be found all over the 17 goals stated in the SDGs. We aim to establish new indexes to evaluate local governments through the SDGs, in order to create local value.

Kanagawa Prefectural Government: The study and methodology of Progress Management for the Achievement of the SDGs (FY2020 – FY2021)
Development of indicators to measure the progress of the initiatives and actions for the SDGs by Kanagawa Prefecture, visualization of the progress management, and promotion with follow-up of the actions for achieving the SDGs, as a methodology of the VLR(Voluntary Local Review).

Shizuoka City: Joint research on development of targets and indicators for Shizuoka City’s five priority plans (FY2018 - FY2019)
Creation of SDGs indicators for the city's five priority initiatives.

Toyooka City: Local research (analysis and practices towards building a sustainable community) (FY2018 - FY2019)
Analysis and actual practices on how people can continue to maintain a livable environment in the fast depopulating Takahashi District of Toyooka City.

Toyooka City: Emprical study on public local policies: With a particular attention to the Issues on Gender Equality in Tokyooka City (focus on the gender challenges in Toyooka City) (FY2018)
Research study on the “gender equality” in Toyooka City from the perspective of the SDGs.

Endowed Courses

SDGs and Finance (FY2020 - FY2021, by Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc.)

xSDG Consortium

The Keio Research Institute at SFC(KRIS) set up the "xSDG Laboratory" in October 2017 and the "xSDG Consortium" in June 2018, each aimed at solving the diverse and complicated social problems, and realizing a sustainable society. Following the startup 1st research phase(FY2018-FY2020) and the 2nd research phase(FY2021-FY2023) which marked the turnaround point of the SDGs, the 3rd research phase (FY2024-FY2026) will focus on actual actions and implementation, to ensure further transformation in realizing the SDGs, and to lead the world towards the SDGs with increased acceleration. Sharing the vision for the future, now more than ever, we will create the good and advanced practices towards achieving the SDGs, through the collaboration with researchers and stakeholders, including our partnering companies and local governments, who are dedicated in making a change and to send out our messages to the world from Japan, to scale up further actions towards realization of the SDGs.  

Aim

To create good practices and standards for actions towards achieving the SDGs, and further create an intellectual and practical foundation.

Activities

1) Emergence of ideas through Consortium meetings

At “Consortium meetings”, which function as the overall meetings of the Consortium, we provide useful information and knowledge shared by invited experts, based on different themes each meeting. And by holding discussions, workshops, and exchanging ideas and opinions on latest policy trends, shared by relevant government officials and experts, we examine the ways and the future of what and how SDGs based actions should be. Also, we will be sharing and exchanging information on the international and national SDGs trends and efforts towards implementation, creation of indexes, policy trends, etc.

2) Bringing ideas into action through Action Oriented Projects (AOP)

With in-depth discussions and examinations of individual agendas through working groups, we have explored methods of action towards solving of certain problems and enhancement of good practices towards achieving the SDGs. This term, we will focus on the actual actions to be taken towards transformation and enhancement of the SDGs, through various Action Oriented Projects (AOP), which will function as a ‘place’ everyone can cooperate in realizing actual good practices and actions.We will launch the following AOPs, but will be open to requests and proposals from the VSP members.

AOP on Synergy and Trafe-Offs

AOP on Future Finance Information Guidelines

AOP on the SDGs Today Japans

AOP on Health Commons

* VSP-S (S members) and VSP-D (D members), VSP-LG (local government members) are invited to propose enactment for AOPs, and to participate in any of the projects. VSP-G (G members) and VSP-SME (small to medium sized business members) are welcome to attend one of the established projects.

3) Hosting of Study Sessions for provisions of up-to-date SDGs related trends and updates

To provide up-to-date information surrounding national and international actions and trends on promotion and enhancement of the SDGs, we will host various Study Sessions, which will each have specific topics with lectures provided by experts in the area.

4) Creation of collaboration between businesses and local governments, and government agencies with NGO/NPOs

Establish the working groups after setting the theme according to the requests and proposals by the VSP members
Working group on Future Finance Information (FY2020 - ): the working group examines the guideline for the disclosure of non-financial information by companies based on the SDGs.
Working group on SDG indicators (FY2021 - ): the working group will analyze the synergies/trade-offs that can arise when a company promotes initiatives related to the SDG targets, and examine the relevant overlapping indicators.
Working group on law and SDGs (FY2022 - ):(TBC)

- Working group on Authentication (FY2018): the working group sorted out the relationship between the SDGs and attestation systems, analyzed which SDGs targets they contribute to, and published its results as an academic paper.
- Working group on Financial Assessment Platform (FY2018 - FY2019): the working group have been released “SDGs Action List for Companies, Version 1” have been released(August 2020).
- Working group on the Plastic Waste Problem (FY2018 - FY2019): the working group concluded the recommendation “Activity Report of FY2019 ‘The Prescriptions for the Appropriate Utilization of Plastic in Japan from the Perspective of the SDGs’ ”(June 2020)(in Japanese).
-
Working group on COVID-19 and the SDGs: the working group have been released 「コロナの経験を踏まえたSDGs達成へのカギとなる12の⽅策」(March 2021)(in Japanese).


* VSP-S (S members) and VSP-D (D members), VSP-LG (local government members) are invited to propose enactment for working groups, and to participate in any of the working groups. VSP-G (G members) and VSP-SME (small to medium sized business members) are welcome to attend one of the established working groups.

5) Creation of collaboration between businesses and local governments, and government agencies with NGO/NPOs

Through the participation of businesses and local governments in Consortium meetings and working groups, and of government agencies and NGO/NPOs as observers, we are implementing the Partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17).

Envisaged partnerships
- Work together with the “Regional Creation SDGs Public-Private Partnership Platform”, established and operated by the Office for Promotion of Regional Revitalization, Cabinet Office of Japan, and do an in-depth study on the underlying challenges that come after the public-private matching process, and create projects based on reality.
- Input the achievements to the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report, which reviews the progress of the SDGs by the United Nations, that Norichika Kanie has been selected to a panel of 15 scientists to draft the report.

6) Hold consortium consultancy sessions

We provide advice for taking steps towards concrete action
* For VSP-S (S members) and VSP-D (D members)

7) Convene symposiums, etc.

* For VSP-S (S members)

8) Hold annual reporting meetings

9) Publication of annual reports

10) Publish the “SDGs whitepaper”

11) Outreach of information through various other media: i.e. through the Asahi Shimbun Future Media 2030, etc.

In addition to the above, we will also look at the possibilities of collaboration with students (e.g. endowed courses (requires separate application), collaboration with ongoing lectures, etc.). Furthermore, in case of participating in the activities of this laboratory, we will introduce a part of the activities of the Health Running Design Laboratory of KRIS(Director: Norichika Kanie, https://www.kri.sfc.keio.ac.jp/en/lab/rdlab/).
*Below are attained during the overall research period

Outcomes (Planned)

  • ・Holding of annual reporting meetings (reporting of project activities and outcomes, etc., by VSP-S (S members), VSP-D (D members), VSP-D (D members) and VSP-LG (local governments) participants)
  • ・Publishing of annual reports (mainly co-written by xSDG members, VSP-S (S members), VSP-D (D members) and VSP-LG (LG members))
  • ・Publishing of the “SDGs whitepaper” (mainly co-written by xSDG members, VSP-S (S members), VSP-D (D members) and VSP-LG (LG members))
  •   - Send out information on “SDGs Now”, mainly introduce good practices
  •   - intend to publish in "SDGs-like Publication" (Cooperation with Impress R&D)
  • ・Outcomes from the working groups
  •   - SDGs guidelines for various fields
  •   - SDGs authentication guidelines
  •   - Targets for various fields, etc.
  • ・Host an open event by xSDG Lab and xSDG Consortium at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development; HLPF) in New York
  • ・Hold symposiums, etc. (by VSP-S (S members))

  • *Below are attained during the overall research period

Research Period

Phase III: April 2024 – March 2027
 FY2024: April 2024 – March 2025

Research Activity for FY2024 (planned)

  • ・Consortium meetings (3 times a year)
  • ・Annual reporting meeting (once a year)
  • ・Issuing of the annual report
  • ・Hold consortiums and consultation meetings
  • ・Activities by each AOP
  • ・Hosting of study sessions
  • ・Provision of a digital platform (including; participation in members only mailing lists; information sharing through newsletters and other electronic medium; etc.)
  • ・Participation in external events (including symposiums, etc.)

Activity Program for FY2021
Activity Program for FY2020
Activity Program for FY2019
Activity Program for FY2018

Intended Members

  • ・Businesses and other organizations who wish to think of how to produce SDGs good practices in cooperation with Keio Research Institute at SFC
  • ・Local governments who wish to think of how to produce SDGs good practices in cooperation with Keio Research Institute at SFC

Vision Sharing Partner (Members system)

At the xSDG consortium, we refer to our collaborating members, who share the same vision and values, as “Vision Sharing Partner (VSP)” (members).
This consortium is a part of the collaboration research scheme (annual membership charges required) by the SFC Research Consortium. For further details, please contact the secretariat

Vision Sharing Partner for FY 2024 (as of May, 2024)

VSP-S (S members)

  • ESRI Japan Corporation
  • The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited


VSP-D (D members)

  • Itochu Fasion System Co., Ltd.
  • Impress Holdings, Inc.
  • Hearst Fujingaho Co., Ltd.
  • Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
  • Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company


VSP-G (G members)

  • Amano Enzyme Inc.
  • GREAT WORKS KK
  • KOBAYASHI & CO., LTD.
  • DeNA Co., Ltd.
  • Seiko Group Corporation
  • Salesforce Japan Co.,Ltd.
  • Toyota Motor Corporation
  • LOTTE CO., LTD.


VSP-SME(SME:Small and Medium-sized Enterprises)

  • MSS Inc.
  • Frank PR Co. Ltd


VSP-LG (Local government members)

  • Kanagawa Prefectural Government
  • Kamakura City
  • Koriyama City
  • Shizuoka City
  • Sumida City
  • Toshima City
  • Nonoichi City


Vision Sharing Partner for FY2021
Vision Sharing Partner for FY2020
Vision Sharing Partner for FY2019
Vision Sharing Partner for FY2018

SFC Member

  • Norichika Kanie
     Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance
     Director
  • Keisuke Uehara
     Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies
     ICT & SDGs
  • Rei Oikawa 
     Researcher, Kanie Laboratory
     Company and SDGs
  • Fumitoshi Kato
     Graduate School of Media and Governance,
     Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies
     Local revitalization & SDGs
  • Hiroko Kuniya
     Project Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance
     Implementation of SDGs, Outreach of laboratory research results, Research communications
  • Shinya Sakuma
     Senior Researcher
  • Cosmo Takagi
     Project Research Associate, Graduate School of Media and Governance
     Local government and SDGs
  • Hiroya Tanaka
     Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies
     Digital fabrication & SDGs
  • Masatoshi Tamamura
     Professor, Faculty of Policy Management
     Local revitalization & SDGs
  • Tomoyuki Furutani
    Professor, Faculty of Policy Management
      Statistics & SDGs
  • Jun Murai
     Professor, Keio University
     IoT & SDGs

Advisor

  • Masahiro Kawatei
     Global Compact Network Japan, Leader, SDG Taskforce
  • Kazuhiko Takemoto
     Project Professor, University of Tokyo Institute for Future Initiatives / Secretary General, SDSN Japan
  • Tokutaro Hiramoto
     Associate Professor, Kanazawa Institute of Technology Representative, KIT SDGs Center
  • Soichiro Moridaira
     Professor Emeritus, Keio University
  • Tarek Katramiz
     Professor,Shibaura Institute of Technology

※Postponement

FY2022 First xSDG Consortium Meeting (members only)

Date: 2022/6/8 13:45−17:30
Venue: Keio University Hiyoshi Campus and Online

FY2022 Second xSDG Consortium Meeting (members only)

Date: 2022/10/18 14:45-18:00
Venue: Keio University Mita Campus

FY2022 Third xSDG Consortium Meeting (members only)

Date: 2023/1/31 14:45-18:00
Venue: Keio University Mita Campus

FY2022 Annual Meeting

Date: 2023/3/3
Venue: Keio University Hiyoshi Campus

(Please note these may be subject to change)

Activity Program for FY2021
Activity Program for FY2020
Activity Program for FY2019
Activity Program for FY2018

Working group

With in-depth discussions and examinations of individual agendas through working groups, we will create much broader and cross-industrial standards and goals, which can then be put into action through publicprivate partnerships.

Working group on Future Finance Information (FY2020 - ): the working group examines the guideline for the disclosure of non-financial information by companies based on the SDGs.
Working group on SDG indicators (FY2021 - ): the working group will analyze the synergies/trade-offs that can arise when a company promotes initiatives related to the SDG targets, and examine the relevant overlapping indicators.

Working group on law and SDGs (FY2022 - ): (TBC)

Results of the working groups of the 1st Research Phase(FY2018-FY2020)
- Working group on Authentication (FY2018): the working group sorted out the relationship between the SDGs and attestation systems, analyzed which SDGs targets they contribute to, and published its results as an academic paper.
- Working group on Financial Assessment Platform (FY2018 - FY2019): the working group have been released “SDGs Action List for Companies, Version 1” have been released(August 2020).
- Working group on the Plastic Waste Problem (FY2018 - FY2019): the working group concluded the recommendation “Activity Report of FY2019 ‘The Prescriptions for the Appropriate Utilization of Plastic in Japan from the Perspective of the SDGs’ ”(June 2020)(in Japanese).
-
Working group on COVID-19 and the SDGs: the working group have been released 「コロナの経験を踏まえたSDGs達成へのカギとなる12の⽅策」(March 2021)(in Japanese).

Endowed Courses and Collaboration with Students at SFC

The establishment of endowed courses as part of the SFC curriculum course is available. Following the sponsor’s requests, an SFC academic will create a syllabus and give the lectures accordingly. The endowed courses can be named in accordance with the sponsor’s name. In addition to the above, we can also consider other collaboration and educational programs for the students.