[Sapporo Securities Exchange] New “Hokkaido ESG Pro Bond Market”

On June 20, 2025, the Sapporo Securities Exchange held a press conference to announce the launch of a new market, the “Hokkaido ESG Pro Bond Market,” the first new market in 25 years. This will be Japan’s first market dedicated to ESG bonds for professional investors and is scheduled to open after a period of public commentary until July 20.

The establishment of this new market is one of the regional initiatives of the Hokkaido-Sapporo “Special Zone for Financial and Asset Management Businesses specialized in GX” being promoted by Team Sapporo-Hokkaido.

Issuers of bonds will be able to connect with a wide range of investors by promoting their ESG-related initiatives both domestically and internationally. For investors, this will expand their options for ESG bond investments, and is expected to invigorate investment activity.

A market limited to ESG bonds is rare worldwide. Mr. Minoru Nagano, President of the Sapporo Securities Exchange, said, “We need to find a way to make our market distinctive to attract investors. We want to make this a process to become an international financial city by transmitting information to those around the world who are considering ESG investments.” He also spoke of future prospects, such as collaboration with overseas exchanges, saying, “With this unique feature, we can differentiate ourselves from other exchanges, and eventually nurture this into something unique on a global scale.”

The exchange also plans to disseminate information through the GX Information Platform, which is being developed by TSH, and synergistic effects among the various initiatives are expected.

Mr. Satoshi Yokoyama, Director for GX Special Zone Promotion of Hokkaido, and Ms. Kaori Nishiyama, Director General for Green Transformation Promotion of City of Sapporo, also attended the press conference.