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According to a survey conducted earlier this year, there has been a significant increase in the number of mainstream Japanese banks that recognise the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has an impact on their business, with several institutions indicating they are revising their investment guidelines.
Six Japanese financial institutions- SMBC, Mizuho, Resona, Nippon Life Insurance, Sumitomo Life Insurance and Fukoku Life Insurance have all indicated that they consider the TPNW important when making investment and loan decisions, while Dai Ichi Life said they refer to the provisions of the treaty.
Between 31 May and 26 August, 11 Japanese financial institutions responded to a survey conducted by the Physicians Against Nuclear War Japan. The survey consisted of nine questions, designed to assess awareness of the TPNW, the financial institution’s current investment policies, understanding of the nuclear weapons industry and future investment plans (including exclusion options).
In coordinating this regular research, Physicians Against Nuclear War Japan has noted an increased trend in the awareness of the financial sector to the TPNW, and a slow shift towards excluding companies involved in the production of nuclear weapons from financing relationships.
Dr. Kazuo MATSUI said this “survey revealed that our DBOB campaign is progressing gradually and consistently. Banks are changing!”