[Sapporo Securities Exchange] Wins “Sustainable Finance Grand Prize”

The Sapporo Securities Exchange (SSE) has been awarded the 2025 Grand Prize (the highest honor) at the “Sustainable Finance Awards,” which recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to the advancement of green finance.

The Sustainable Finance Awards, organized annually by the Research Institute for Environmental Finance (RIEF) since 2015, marked its 11th year with this ceremony. SSE was highly commended for its innovative spirit, with judges noting that despite its long history dating back to 1949, the exchange “took on new challenges with the mindset of a private-sector startup.” This recognition follows the establishment of the “Hokkaido ESG Pro Bond Market” in September 2025—Japan’s first bond market specifically for professional investors focused on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) bonds.

At the award ceremony held in Tokyo on January 23, 2026, Mr. Ueda of SSE commented on the impact of the new market: “Bond issuers can now effectively communicate their ESG initiatives and connect with a broad range of investors. For investors, ESG investment options are now more ‘visible,’ which we expect will lead to even more active investment.”

Other recipients included Mizuho Bank, which received the Excellence Award for its “Avoided Emissions Impact Finance,” a program designed to support companies that are proactive in disclosing their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.