DBJapan issues first Euro 300M sustainability bond

The Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) issued its inaugural Euro 300 million sustainability bond, a type of Socially Responsible Investment bonds (SRI bonds) which has been rapidly growing in issuance among issuers in Europe, and America.  This bond is the first sustainability bond issued by a Japanese issuer.

Beginning with anti-pollution measures in the late 1960s and early 1970’s, DBJ has provided more than ¥3 trillion in investments and loans for environmental projects over the past 40 years. DBJ’s Environmentally Rated Loan Program was incorporated into the Bank’s repertoire in fiscal 2004, with DBJ Green Building Certification following in 2011.

Considering growing demands for SRI investments and the development of SRI market which accepts more diversified products, DBJ has expanded the use of proceeds to include DBJ Environmentally Rated Loan Program in addition to DBJ Green Building Certification. DBJ has a policy to issue SRI bonds continuously and considers to broaden the use of its proceeds with other products such as the DBJ Enterprise Disaster Resilience Rated Loan Programme and DBJ Employee’s Health Management Rated Loan Programme in the future.