Meiji Yasuda Asset Management endorses the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) launched by the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative and UN Global Compact in April 2004, and became a signatory in March 2016.

The UN Principles for Responsible Investment incorporate were launched with the aim of improving long-term investment results for customers and final beneficiaries, the idea being that institutional investors should first establish a good understanding of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues and then incorporate them into the investment process, etc.

We will endeavor to further deepen our understanding of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues and to factor ESG considerations into our research and investment processes to the extent required to fulfil our fiduciary responsibilities.

Meiji Yasuda Asset Management endorses the Principles for Financial Action towards a Sustainable Society (Principles for Financial Action for the 21st Century) and became a signatory in March 2016.

Following the 2010 report "Towards Green Finance: The New Role for the Financial Sector in Building a Low-Carbon Society," which included a policy recommendation on formulating principles for environmental financial action to encourage wider use of green finance in Japan, "The Principles for Financial Action towards a Sustainable Society (Principles for Financial Action for the 21st Century)" were formulated by a Drafting Committee including banks, securities firms, insurance companies, and asset management companies, with the Ministry of the Environment taking on the role of the committee's secretariat.

Based on changes in the external environment over the past 10 years, and with an eye toward the future, the principles was revised in 2022.
We will strive to develop and increase the competitiveness of an industry that contributes to the formation of a sustainable society through the development and provision of financial products and services, while also working to reduce environmental impacts through our corporate activities.

For more information, see PFA 21's official website (external link) :

• The Principles for Financial Action for the 21st Century

Meiji Yasuda Asset Management declared our support for Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations in December 2019.

The Task Force was established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in December 2015 in response to a request from G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.
TCFD recommends that each entity disclose risks and opportunities related to climate change in four thematic areas: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

We encourage portfolio companies to disclose information based on TCFD, and we engage in constructive dialogue regarding material financial and non-financial risks and opportunities identified through their disclosures with the aim of enhancing and driving their corporate value and sustainable growth.

Meiji Yasuda Asset Management endorses The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, and became a signatory in January 2023.

The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative is an international group of asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius; and to supporting investing aligned with net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.

We will aim to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our investment portfolio in collaboration with our customers, including asset owners.