AVPN Social Investment Forum Japan 2022 | Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Limited (AVPN) | 17 November 2022 | Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main, Japan, 〒102-8578 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kioicho, 4−1 Hotel New Otani The Main

Today, Asia Pacific faces an estimated annual funding gap of USD1.6 trillion to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and impact capital will have to play a catalytic role in influencing markets and the state.

In this context, both public and private sectors are increasing their role, especially private finance has long been seen as key to bridging this gap and numerous actors have stepped in. These include philanthropic foundations, corporations, financial institutions, impact funds, intermediaries and impact organisations such as non-profits and social enterprises, and they are working toward sustainable development through significant social Innovation. In the past decade, AVPN’s members and partners in the region have come together to bring about transformative change in the region. We are now at a tipping point in accelerating SDGs action in Asia, and it is critical that we share a clear and ambitious vision for moving capital toward social impact in the next decade.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that USD2.3 trillion is invested with the mandate of achieving positive impact as of 2020. East and Southeast Asia are one of the fastest growing regions for such investments, growing 23%, and more investors are expected to focus on this region over the next five years, according to the Global Impact Investing Network's investor (GIIN) survey.

Particularly in Japan, the impact investment market is growing, and according to a survey by the Japan National Advisory Board of The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG-NAB Japan), the outstanding investment balance of impact investments has grown from around JPY71.8 billion (approximately USD 652 million) in 2018 to around JPY 1320.4 billion (approximately USD12 billion) in 2021. This is due to the fact that asset management companies, insurance companies, and financial institutions are entering the impact investment market as new impact investment institutions. In addition to the increasing number of impact funds being established in Japan, a national advisory committee for impact investing has also been established. Also, a major Japanese financial institution recently announced "Japan Impact-driven Financing Initiative”, signalling a solid trajectory for impact investing.

Discuss and share knowledge and best practices around social investments in gender, education and economic empowerment issues, which are key areas for achieving the SDGs.

2022 Speakers

Angeline Chin
Global Community Impact Asia Pacific Lead, Johnson & Johnson

Mitsumasa Handa
CEO, GOOD GOOD Inc.

Ng Boon Heong
Chief Executive Officer, Temasek Foundation

Yoshiaki Ishikawa
CFO, Life is Tech

Ken Ito
East Asia Director, AVPN

Mari Kogiso
CEO, SDG Impact Japan

Yuko Koshiba
Impact Officer, Japan Social Innovation and Investment Foundation (SIIF)

Dominic Mellor
Principal Investment Specialist, ADB Ventures

Cliff Prior
CEO, Global Steering Group for Impact Investment

Ken Shibusawa
Founder, Shibusawa and Company, Inc

Andrew Staples
Regional Head (APAC), Policy and Insights, Economist Impact

Naina Subberwal Batra
CEO, AVPN

Fumi Sugeno
Impact Economy Lab Executive Director, Japan Social Innovation and Investment Foundation (SIIF)

Adellene Odelia Tanuri
Head of Impact Investments, YCAB Foundation

Junko Yoda
Advisory Board Member, Sweef Capital

2022 Partners

• Sasakawa Peace Foundation
• SIIF Social Innovation and Investment Foundation
• Economist Impact