Toyota Tsusho Corp – Lobbying Governance & Transparency

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Lobbying Governance

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
Moderate	Toyota Tsusho provides some insight into how it governs the alignment of its climate-related external engagement, but the disclosure remains partial. The company states that it has “a public commitment or position statement to conduct your engagement activities in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement” and answers “Yes,” demonstrating a formal policy intent. With respect to indirect lobbying, it explains that it participates in the Japan Foreign Trade Council (JFTC) and that “報告年に、当社は日本貿易会の副会長を務め、そのリーダーシップの下で活動を続けてきた,” adding that the JFTC’s low-carbon action plan commits to “毎年1％の電力消費量を削減.” Crucially, the company notes that “日本貿易会の活動の進捗状況は、サステナビリティ委員会および必要に応じて取締役会に報告される,” indicating that both the Sustainability Committee and, when necessary, the Board of Directors receive reports on this trade-association engagement, which implies an oversight mechanism. However, the disclosure does not describe a systematic process for reviewing the climate-policy positions of all trade associations, gives no detail on how any misalignment would be corrected or how direct lobbying by Toyota Tsusho’s own government-affairs staff is monitored, and offers no dedicated lobbying-alignment report or third-party audit. As a result, while the company shows a policy commitment, identifies a governance body that receives climate-lobbying reports, and gives one example of managing indirect engagement, the overall framework lacks comprehensive procedures, coverage of direct lobbying, and public audit transparency, indicating only a moderate level of lobbying governance. View Sources	C

Overall Assessment

Analysis

Score

Moderate

Toyota Tsusho provides some insight into how it governs the alignment of its climate-related external engagement, but the disclosure remains partial. The company states that it has “a public commitment or position statement to conduct your engagement activities in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement” and answers “Yes,” demonstrating a formal policy intent. With respect to indirect lobbying, it explains that it participates in the Japan Foreign Trade Council (JFTC) and that “報告年に、当社は日本貿易会の副会長を務め、そのリーダーシップの下で活動を続けてきた,” adding that the JFTC’s low-carbon action plan commits to “毎年1％の電力消費量を削減.” Crucially, the company notes that “日本貿易会の活動の進捗状況は、サステナビリティ委員会および必要に応じて取締役会に報告される,” indicating that both the Sustainability Committee and, when necessary, the Board of Directors receive reports on this trade-association engagement, which implies an oversight mechanism. However, the disclosure does not describe a systematic process for reviewing the climate-policy positions of all trade associations, gives no detail on how any misalignment would be corrected or how direct lobbying by Toyota Tsusho’s own government-affairs staff is monitored, and offers no dedicated lobbying-alignment report or third-party audit. As a result, while the company shows a policy commitment, identifies a governance body that receives climate-lobbying reports, and gives one example of managing indirect engagement, the overall framework lacks comprehensive procedures, coverage of direct lobbying, and public audit transparency, indicating only a moderate level of lobbying governance.

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Lobbying Transparency

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
Limited	Toyota Tsusho provides only limited transparency about its climate-policy lobbying. It indicates that it has “raised issues related to energy conservation at meetings with government authorities” through the Japan Foreign Trade Council and notes participation in associations such as the Hydrogen Council, but it does not name the government bodies approached or explain whether letters, submissions, or consultations were used. The company makes no clear reference to any specific piece of legislation or regulation it sought to influence; instead it simply links its hydrogen feasibility studies to Japan’s broader Green Growth Strategy and carbon-neutrality objectives. Likewise, it expresses broad aims such as contributing to carbon neutrality and easing regulations to promote hydrogen utilisation, yet it does not spell out the concrete policy changes it supports or opposes. Because the disclosures reference only general policy areas and high-level aspirations without identifying distinct policies, targets, or outcomes, the company’s lobbying transparency remains limited.	D