Expectations for Issuance and Investment of Green Bonds in Japan

The number of green bonds issued in Japan has been increasing, and the total annual amount of green bonds issued exceeded 1 trillion yen in 2020. In order to achieve "carbon neutrality" and "SDGs", it is essential to promote more private funds to green projects through instruments such as Green Bonds.

Issuance of Green Bonds by Japanese Companies and Other Entities

An Illustration:Issuance of Green Bonds by Japanese Companies and Other Entities
  • As of September 20, 2024
  • Exchange rates (2014~2023): USD1=JPY110, EUR1=JPY135, AUD1=JPY90
  • Exchange rates (2024~): Converted into yen using the Bank of Japan's exchange rates for January of each year, which is used by the ministries in making their reports.
  • The Bank of Japan's exchange rates: https://www.boj.or.jp/about/services/tame/tame_rate/syorei/index.htmOpen in new tab or window
  • Currency fluctuations affect the total amount of issuance.
  • The table below shows the total issuance amount by currency.
currency 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
billion JPY 0 1.5 19.8 76.8 278.3 627.1 841.5 1,171.8 1,049.2 2,326.6 854.7
billion USD 0 0.5 0.5 0 0.4 0.7 0.4 3.1 7.6 3.1 0
billion EUR 0.3 0 0 1 1.5 1 1 2.5 1.1 2.8 0.5
billion AUD 0 0 0 0.1 0.1 0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of the Environment based on websites of the issuers
  • * This database is not screened by the Ministry of the Environment and is compiled based on the labeling declared by issuers and financial institutions.

Issuance of Sustainability Bonds by Japanese Companies and Other Entities

An Illustration:Issuance of Sustainability Bonds by Japanese Companies and Other Entities
  • As of September 20, 2024
  • Exchange rates (2014~2023): USD1=JPY110, EUR1=JPY135, AUD1=JPY90
  • Exchange rates (2024~): Converted into yen using the Bank of Japan's exchange rates for January of each year, which is used by the ministries in making their reports.
  • The Bank of Japan's exchange rates: https://www.boj.or.jp/about/services/tame/tame_rate/syorei/index.htmOpen in new tab or window
  • Currency fluctuations affect the total amount of issuance.
  • The table below shows the total issuance amount by currency.
currency 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
billion JPY 0 0 0 0 0 147 443.6 531 558.3 805.2 265.9
billion USD 0 0 0.5 1 0 1 0 4.3 1.3 1.5 1
billion EUR 0 0.3 0 0 0.7 0 1.2 0.6 0.6 0 0
billion AUD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of the Environment based on websites of the issuers
  • * This database is not screened by the Ministry of the Environment and is compiled based on the labeling declared by issuers and financial institutions.

Issuance of Green Bonds and Sustainability Bonds by Japanese Companies and Other Entities

An Illustration:Issuance of Green Bonds and Sustainability Bonds by Japanese Companies and Other Entities
  • As of September 20, 2024
  • Exchange rates (2014~2023): USD1=JPY110, EUR1=JPY135, AUD1=JPY90
  • Exchange rates (2024~): Converted into yen using the Bank of Japan's exchange rates for January of each year, which is used by the ministries in making their reports.
  • The Bank of Japan's exchange rates: https://www.boj.or.jp/about/services/tame/tame_rate/syorei/index.htmOpen in new tab or window
  • Currency fluctuations affect the total amount of issuance.
  • The table below shows the total issuance amount by currency.
currency 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
billion JPY 0 1.5 19.8 76.8 278.3 774.1 1,285.1 1,702.8 1,607.5 3,131.8 1,120.6
billion USD 0 0.5 1 1 0.4 1.7 0.4 7.4 8.9 4.6 1
billion EUR 0.3 0.3 0 1 2.2 1 2.2 3.1 1.7 2.8 0.5
billion AUD 0 0 0 0.1 0.1 0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of the Environment based on websites of the issuers
  • * This database is not screened by the Ministry of the Environment and is compiled based on the labeling declared by issuers and financial institutions.

Overseas Market Status

Green bond issuances have been incrasing globally, reflecting developments such as the global uptake of ESG investment.

Global Trends of Green Bond Issuance Amount

An Illustration:Global Trends of Green Bond Issuance Amount
  • *The amount of green bonds totals the value amount of bonds labeled as such in the Environmental Finance database. Environmental Finance does not have its own screening criteria but rather aims to track and include all self-labelled bonds. Issuance date is based on the settlement date as indicated in said database. The conversion from other currencies to the USD is based on the exchange rate taken daily from Oanda at bond settlement date.
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of Environment based on the Environmental Finance Database (data as of September 24, 2024)

Green Bond Issuance by Region

An Illustration:Green Bond Issuance by Reigion
  • *The amount of green bonds totals the value amount of bonds labeled as such in the Environmental Finance database. Environmental Finance does not have its own screening criteria but rather aims to track and include all self-labelled bonds. Issuance date is based on the settlement date as indicated in said database. The conversion from other currencies to the USD is based on the exchange rate taken daily from Oanda at bond settlement date.
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of Environment based on the Environmental Finance Database (data as of September 24, 2024)

Green Bond Issuance by Use of Proceeds

An Illustration:Green Bond Issuance by Use of Proceeds (2017 and 2018)
  • *The amount of green bonds totals the value amount of bonds labeled as such in the Environmental Finance database. Environmental Finance does not have its own screening criteria but rather aims to track and include all self-labelled bonds. Issuance date is based on the settlement date as indicated in said database.
  • **For  green bonds with multiple uses of proceeds, the total amount proceeds is prorated by the number of sectors.
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of Environment based on the Environmental Finance Database (data as of September 24, 2024)

Global Trends of Sustainability Bond Issuance Amount

An Illustration: Global Trends of Sustainability Bond Issuance Amount
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of Environment based on the Environmental Finance Database (data as of September 24, 2024)
  • *The amount of issuance for sustainability bonds totals the issuance amount of bonds labeled as such in the Environmental Finance database. Environmental Finance does not have its own screening criteria but rather aims to track and include all self-labelled bonds. Issuance date is based on the settlement date as indicated in said database. The conversion from other currencies to the USD is based on the exchange rate taken daily from Oanda at bond settlement date.

Sustainability Bond Issuance by Region

An Illustration: Sustainability Bond Issuance by Region
  • Source: Created by the Ministry of Environment based on the Environmental Finance Database (data as of September 24, 2024)
  • *The amount of issuance for sustainability bonds totals the issuance amount of bonds labeled as such in the Environmental Finance database. Environmental Finance does not have its own screening criteria but rather aims to track and include all self-labelled bonds. Issuance date is based on the settlement date as indicated in said database. The conversion from other currencies to the USD is based on the exchange rate taken daily from Oanda at bond settlement date.