Sustainable Development Solutions Network Japan (SDSN Japan) was officially launched on 28th July 2015 during the 7th International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific (ISAP 2015) held at Pacifico Yokohama conference centre. The launching ceremony was moderated by Professor Kanie, who serves as a council member of SDSN Japan and was joined by guest speakers including Professor Jeffery Sachs (Colombia University), the Director of SDSN.

The Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN) is a new independent global network of research centres, universities and other stakeholders including business and civil society organisations, launched in August 2012 by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The SDSN aims to help find solutions for some of the world’s most pressing environmental, social and economic problems, and to achieve sustainable development.

As is the case in the other parts of the world, Japan is faced with various problems in promoting a more sustainable society. SDSN Japan aims to make a significant contribution to the efforts towards the formulation and implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level, through its activities. SDSN Japan is relevant in this regard in that it will take a comprehensive approach to various problems by engaging with a variety of interested partners including policy makers, academics, private sectors, and civil society organisations. SDSN Japan, through the network of other countries’ SDSNs, will create an innovative platform for active discussion concerning the action-oriented research on questions of environment and development.