My Role as an Outside Director

The JX Nippon Mining & Metals board of directors ensures the company meets the principles of the Corporate Governance Code, establishing governance functions comparable to those of listed companies, even though the company is not publicly traded itself. And since JX Nippon Mining & Metals is a manufacturing company in possession of superior proprietary technologies, the company's management team is a group of highly specialized professionals who naturally favor a focus on technology. As an economist, I recognize that one of the important roles I fulfill as an outside director is to provide an economic perspective to board deliberations. Over the next 10 to 20 years, we will see entire business model transformations in the manufacturing industry. I strive to express my own views on the intersection between the company’s business and the economy in board meetings.

ESG Management and the Importance of Information Disclosure

Climate change, circular economy, and respect for human rights are the most important topics to address under the SDGs. Companies exist by making profits, but at the same time, it is important to provide sustainable value to all stakeholders. These stakeholders include the global environment, local communities, and employees. Further, I think we can say that society expects us to set more concrete targets and achieve specific results, not just abstract theories.

To address climate change, for example, JX Nippon Mining & Metals set an interim goal to reduce total in-house CO₂ emissions by 50% in fiscal 2030 versus fiscal 2018, achieve net zero by fiscal 2050. The group is taking a positive stance toward achieving the goal of net-zero CO₂ emissions by the year 2050. It won’t be easy for the group to achieve this target. But I believe it is very meaningful to demonstrate a stance to society using concrete data and examples.

In recent years, many so-called watchdog shareholders have nominated directors committed to decarbonization. In some cases, institutional investors have joined corporate boards in support of these nominations. This is a sign that investors around the world look beyond short-term profits, recognizing that climate change is a medium- to long-term business risk. In light of this trend, it will be increasingly important to engage in ESG finance, including transition finance. Expanding internationally required information disclosures, such as TCFD, will also be increasingly emphasized.

The Importance and Role of the Nonferrous Metals Industry

In economics, returns do not exist where there is no risk. JX Nippon Mining & Metals is investing aggressively in its Focus Businesses. In areas where demand is growing, such as semiconductors, battery recycling, and renewable energy, investments must be made to capture demand. In this context, the board must recognize the potential risks, and then strive to diversify and minimize those risks. In addition to climate change, which I mentioned above, geopolitical risks such as the friction between the U.S. and China are on the rise. I believe the company should take advantage of its broad product lineup to diversify risks, keeping a flexible mindset.

From my perspective as an economist, I believe the source of the strength of the Japanese economy lies in raw materials, and that the raw materials industry is indispensable to Japan. Every field related to materials requires a high level of expertise, and nonferrous metals are one of the fields in which the company plays its most important role. I look forward to JX Nippon Mining & Metals further refining the strengths it already possesses, growing globally as it undergoes dynamic transformations to meet the needs of the times.