In Japan, ESG disclosure standards set by the Sustainability Standards Board of Japan (SSBJ) will be phased in starting from FY2025, with mandatory compliance beginning in FY2027 for companies with a market capitalization of over ¥3 trillion. These standards are aligned with international frameworks (ISSB + IFIRS) while incorporating Japan-specific requirements.

If the External ESG Report in Microsoft Sustainability Manager does not support SSBJ standards, Japanese companies may be forced to exclude the solution from consideration entirely. SSBJ compliance is becoming a critical requirement for regulatory alignment and stakeholder trust.

Therefore, we urgently request the implementation of SSBJ-compliant features in the External ESG Report to ensure continued adoption and relevance in the Japanese market.