ESC

Clarivate

JCR Category: Business in ESCI edition

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues Open access
Journal Impact FactorTM (2024) 1.3 Q3
Journal Citation IndicatorTM (2024) 0.26 Q4
Received: 2025-05-18  |  Accepted: 2025-07-24  |  Published: 2025-09-30

Title

Sustainability awareness: evidence from Japan


Abstract

This article aims to assess sustainability awareness among the Japanese and the commitment of governments and civil society. The study delves into Japan’s historical and cultural background, exploring the interplay between these factors and the natural environment. Original research was conducted through a survey questionnaire administered to native Japanese people and residents of Japan. The key findings indicate a correlation between the historical and cultural origins of the Japanese and their relationship with nature, which influences the current specificity of environmental policies in Japan. An assessment of the implemented actions confirms these initiatives encompass all pillars of sustainability: environment, society, and economy. However, Japanese society’s sustainability awareness and knowledge level fall below the global average. The data also reveal a gradual improvement over the years. The study concludes that Japan faces significant challenges and risks to sustainable development, particularly those arising from climate change, which are anticipated to become increasingly severe.


Keywords

sustainability, SDGs, Japan, Tokyo, Mottainai, Satoyama, local development


JEL classifications

A13 , Q01 , Q56 , O53 , R11


URI

http://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/1348


DOI


Pages

342-357


Funding


This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Authors

Miszczak, Katarzyna
Wroclaw Uniwersity of Economics and Business, Wroclaw, Poland http://www.ue.wroc.pl
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Kriviņš, Anatolijs
Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia https://du.lv
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Kaze, Valters
RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, Riga, Latvia http://www.riseba.lv
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Maciąg, Agata
Wroclaw Uniwersity of Economics and Business, Wroclaw, Poland http://www.ue.wroc.pl
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Journal title

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues

Volume

13


Number

1


Issue date

September 2025


Issue DOI


ISSN

ISSN 2345-0282 (online)


Publisher

VšĮ Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, Vilnius, Lithuania

Cited

Google Scholar

Article views & downloads

HTML views: 855  |  PDF downloads: 518

References


ASMARQ (2023). Comparative Survey of Awareness of the SDGs in Japan, United States and China. Dataset available: https://www.asmarq.co.jp/global/examine/awareness-of-the-sdgs/

Search via ReFindit


Berglund, B. E., Kitagawa, J., Lagerås, P., Nakamura, K., Sasaki, N., & Yasuda, Y. (2014). Traditional farming landscapes for sustainable living in Scandinavia and Japan: global revival through the Satoyama initiative. Ambio, 43(5), 559-578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-014-0499-6

Search via ReFindit


Bichler, R. M. (2023). Harm and Harmony—Concepts of Nature and Environmental Practice in Japan. Histories, 3(2), 62-75. https://doi.org/10.3390/histories3020006

Search via ReFindit


Borusiak, B. (2021). Sustainability, Sustainable Development and Corporate Responsibility. In Stefańska, M. (Ed.). Sustainability and sustainable development. Poznań: University of Economics and Business, pp. 27-33. https://doi.org/10.18559/978-83-8211-074-6/12

Search via ReFindit


Brundtland, G.H. (1987). Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. Geneva, UN Dokument A/42/427. http://www.un-documents.net/ocf-ov.htm

Search via ReFindit


Carter, D. (2022). Japan’s People Start to Engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CarterJMRN. Available at: https://carterjmrn.com/blog/japans-people-start-to-engage-with-the-sustainable-development-goals/

Search via ReFindit


Chang, R.-D., Zuo, J., Zhao, Z.-Y., Zillante, G., Gan, X.-L., & Soebarto, V. (2017). Evolving theories of sustainability and firms: History, future directions and implications for renewable energy research. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 72, 48-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.01.029

Search via ReFindit


Christiansen, B. (2016). Handbook of research on global supply chain management. Business Science Reference, 689 pp.

Search via ReFindit


Czupryna, M., & Schaff, F. (2024). A Matter of Values: On the Link Between Economic Performance and Schwartz Human Values. Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik, 244(4), 293-329. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbnst-2023-0065

Search via ReFindit


Dentsu (2023). Fifth Consumer Survey on Sustainable Development Goals 2022. Dentsu Macromill.

Search via ReFindit


Dixon, J.A., & Fallon, L.A. (1989). The concept of sustainability: Origins, extensions, and usefulness for policy. Society & Natural Resources, 2(1), 73-84. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941928909380675

Search via ReFindit


Dublin, D.R., & Tanaka, N. (2014). Indigenous Agricultural Development for Sustainability and “Satoyama”. Geography, Environment, Sustainability, 7(2), 86-95. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2014-7-2-86-95

Search via ReFindit


European Union (2020). Delivering on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – a comprehensive approach – staff working document. Available at: https://commission.europa.eu/document/1ae1e765-0a3f-4092-b87e-86ecbd1ec0c7_en

Search via ReFindit


Hasegawa, H., Asanami, F., Sudo, T., Ito, K., & Kamada, M. (2024). Emergence process of governance for restoring an unmanaged ecosystem: comparison of two activities at the Satoyama forest and coastal pine forests in Fukutsu City, Japan. Landscape and Ecological Engineering, 20 (3), 299-310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-023-00593-3

Search via ReFindit


Hiratsuka, J., Perlaviciute, G., & Steg, L. (2018). Testing VBN theory in Japan: Relationships between values, beliefs, norms, and acceptability and expected effects of a car pricing policy. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 53, 74-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2017.12.015

Search via ReFindit


Hiratsuka, M., Hatakeyama, K., Ohkubo, T., & Takeuchi, D. (2020). Dynamics of secondary forest and its perspective under the Satoyama system in Saitama prefecture, Japan. Journal of Forest Research, 25(1), 51-57. https://doi.org/10.1080/13416979.2020.1719573

Search via ReFindit


Iwachido, Y., Uchida, K., Ushimaru, A. et al. (2020). Nature-oriented park use of satoyama ecosystems can enhance biodiversity conservation in urbanised landscapes. Landscape Ecol Eng, 16, 163-172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-020-00413-y

Search via ReFindit


Jiao, Y., Ding, Y., Zha, Z., & Okuro, T. (2019). Crises of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Satoyama Landscape of Japan: A Review on the Role of Management. Sustainability, 11(2), 454. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020454

Search via ReFindit


Jisho (n.d.). Japanese-Multilingual Dictionary (JMDict) via Jisho.org Project. Available at: https://jisho.org/search/mottainai

Search via ReFindit


Kanagawa, H., Nakayama, Y., Sakai, N., Soma, Y., & Kane, S. (2021). Environmental law and practice in Japan: Overview. =(sc.Default)&firstPage=true https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/6-502-8920?transitionType=Default&contextData

Search via ReFindit


Kastratović, R., Krivins, A., & Veikša, I. (2024). Economic and legal aspects of foreign direct investment patterns in Serbia and Latvia. Access to science, business, innovation in the digital economy, ACCESS Press, 5(3), 440-458, https://doi.org/10.46656/access.2024.5.3(4)

Search via ReFindit


Kaze, V., & Bolinskis, G. (2011). Consumer Values Behind the Grey Economy. New Socio-Economic Challenges of Development in Europe 2010, 70-79.

Search via ReFindit


Kaze, V., Baumane, I., Sumilo, E., & Skapars, R. (2007). Trends and priorities in the development of the Latvian banking services in the context of emerging knowledge based economy: Case of e-banking. TRAMES Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(2), 173-188. https://doi.org/10.3176/tr.2007.2.06

Search via ReFindit


Kaze, V., Bolinskis, G., & Kurovs, J. (2022). An Image-Based Approach to Measuring Human Values. Societies, 12(6), 191. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12060191

Search via ReFindit


Kaze, V., Skapars, R., & Sceulovs, D. (2011). Development of Rural Tourism in Latvia Capitalising on Regionally Relevant Human Values. Management Theory and Studies for Rural Business and Infrastructure Development, 26, 97–104.

Search via ReFindit


Kim, S., Li, G., & Son, Y. (2017). The Contribution of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Practices to Forest Management: The Case of Northeast Asia. Forests, 8(12), 496. https://doi.org/10.3390/f8120496

Search via ReFindit


Kobayashi, S., & Abe, S. (2023). The effects of irrigation canals and roads as barriers to gene flow between Japanese brown frog (Rana Japonica) breeding sites at a fine scale in a Satoyama landscape. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 31 (2), 191-202. 10.1007/s11273-023-09910-x

Search via ReFindit


Kovács, B., Uchiyama, Y., Miyake, Y., Quevedo, J.M.D., & Kohsaka, R. (2022). Capturing landscape values in peri-urban Satoyama forests: Diversity of visitors' perceptions and implications for future value assessments. Trees, Forests and People, 10, art. no. 100339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2022.100339

Search via ReFindit


Krivins A., Vilks A., & Kipane A. (2023). Corruption perception trends: European Union countries. Access Journal (Access to Science, Business, Innovation in the Digital Economy), 5(1), 58-67. http://doi.org/10.46656/access.2024.5.1(4)

Search via ReFindit


Krivins, A., Teivans-Treinovskis, J., & Tumalavicius, V. (2021). Issues of state and national security: Religiously inspired terrorism in the Baltic States: internal and external factors. Insights into Regional Development, 3(1), 65-79. http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2021.3.1(4)

Search via ReFindit


Kuo, T.-H., Chang, G.-M., Yu, P.-H., Chen, W.-H., & Yen, S.-C. (2025) The difference in roaming behavior between owned and unowned dogs in a satoyama landscape area. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 283, art. no. 106521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106521

Search via ReFindit


Lee, Y. S., Sakuno, S., Prebensen, N., & Kimura, K. (2018). Tracing Shintoism in Japanese nature-based domestic tourism experiences. Cogent Social Sciences, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2018.1446671

Search via ReFindit


Matsuoka, T. (2021). Survey Shows Awareness of SDGs in Japan at 50%. MailMate: Tokyo. https://mailmate.jp/blog/sdg-awareness-in-japan

Search via ReFindit


Mazza, P.I. (2021). Concepts of Sustainable Development; a Literature Review and a Systematic Framework for Connecting the Role of Education with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 8(8), 106-112. https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.0808009

Search via ReFindit


Mensah, J. (2019). Sustainable development: Meaning, history, principles, pillars, and implications for human action: Literature review. Cogent Social Sciences, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2019.1653531

Search via ReFindit


Miszczak, K., Kriviņš, A., & Kaze, V. (2024). Challenges and drivers of green and sustainable spatial development: a case study of Lower Silesia and Latvia. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 12(2), 85-98. https://doi.org/10.9770/b7283449476

Search via ReFindit


Olejarz, S.M. (2011). Contexts of the "Mottainai" Concept. Current Problems of Psychiatry, 12(4), 565-568. ,+S.M.+(2011).+Contexts+of+the+%22Mottainai%22&hl=lt&as_sdt=0,5&as_vis=1 https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:dviyI3P3MRwJ:scholar.google.com/+Olejarz

Search via ReFindit


Primc, K., Ogorevc, M., Slabe-Erker, R., Bartolj, T., & Murovec, N. (2021). How does Schwartz's theory of human values affect the proenvironmental behavior model? Baltic Journal of Management, 16(2), 276-297. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-08-2020-0276

Search via ReFindit


Raistenskis E., Krivins A., & Aleksejeva L. (2023). Phehomenon of corruption in Albania: towards cigarrete smugling. Access Journal, 4(2), 297-312. https://doi.org/10.46656/access.2023.4.2(10)

Search via ReFindit


Rogers, P.P., Jalal, K.F., & Boyd, J.A. (2008). An Introduction to Sustainable Development (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849770477

Search via ReFindit


Ruggerio, C.A. (2021). Sustainability and sustainable development: A review of principles and definitions. Science of The Total Environment, 786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147481

Search via ReFindit


Sakalasooriya, N. (2021). Conceptual Analysis of Sustainability and Sustainable Development. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 9, 396-414. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.93026

Search via ReFindit


Sato, M., Minamoto, T., & Ushimaru, A. (2023). An interdisciplinary approach to environmental conservation policy: a case of Satoyama redevelopment in the peri-urban area. International Journal of Economic Policy Studies, 17(2), 403-419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42495-023-00110-2

Search via ReFindit


Sato, Y. (2017). Mottainai: a Japanese sense of anima mundi. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 62(1), 147-154. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5922.12282

Search via ReFindit


Sceulovs, D., Gaile-Sarkane, E., & Kaze, V. (2011). E-Environment Benefits for Latvian Sustainable Business Development. Management Theory and Studies for Rural Business and Infrastructure Development, 26, 234–240.

Search via ReFindit


Schwartz, S. H. (2004). Mapping and interpreting cultural differences around the world. In H. Vinken, J. Soeters, & P. Ester (Eds.), Comparing Cultures, pp. 43-73. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789047412977_007

Search via ReFindit


Shinju, M. (2005). Mottainai Grandma. Tokyo: Koudansha. Available online: https://mottainai.com/e/book/

Search via ReFindit


Sirola, N., Sutinen, U.-M., Närvänen, E., Mesiranta, N., & Mattila, M. (2019). Mottainai!-A practice theoretical analysis of Japanese consumers' food waste reduction. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11 (23), art. no. 6645. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236645

Search via ReFindit


Sirola, N., Sutinen, U.-M., Närvänen, E., Mesiranta, N., & Mattila, M. (2019). Mottainai!—A Practice Theoretical Analysis of Japanese Consumers’ Food Waste Reduction. Sustainability, 11(23), 6645. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236645

Search via ReFindit


Smith, M. L. (2015). The origins of the sustainability concept: Risk perception and resource management in early urban centers. In Climate change, culture, and economics: Anthropological investigations, pp. 215-238. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0190-128120150000035009

Search via ReFindit


Stefańska, M. (Ed.). (2021). Sustainability and Sustainable Development. Poznań: University of Economics and Business. https://doi.org/10.18559/978-83-8211-074-6

Search via ReFindit


Suzuki, Y. (2017). Mottainai Ethics and the Sustainability of Our World. Islam and Civilisational Renewal, 8(1), 112-114. https://doi.org/10.12816/0043459

Search via ReFindit


Takeuchi, K., Brown, R. D., Washitani, I., Tsunekawa, A., & Yokohari, M. (2008). Satoyama: The Traditional Rural Landscape of Japan. Springer Japan.

Search via ReFindit


Tokyo Metropolitan Government. (2021). Tokyo Sustainability Action. Available at: https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2021/07/tokyo_2021_en.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Tokyo Skytree (2023). The Initiatives of Tokyo Skytree to Address the SDGs. Available at: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/about/sdgs/

Search via ReFindit


Tsuge, T., Usio, N., & Nakano, M. (2023). Assessing the attractiveness of tourism resources in Noto using the best–worst scaling and discrete choice experiment methods: further utilisation of satoyama and satoumi for tourism. International Journal of Economic Policy Studies, 17 (2), 421-446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42495-023-00111-1

Search via ReFindit


Uchiyama, Y., Takatori, C., & Kohsaka, R. (2022). Designing participatory green area management and biodiversity conservation strategies in the era of population shrinkage: empirical analysis of multi-generational perceptions on Satoyama rare species in central Japan. Landscape and Ecological Engineering, 18 (3), 321-339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-022-00501-1

Search via ReFindit


United Nations (1972). Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. https://www.un.org/en/conferences/environment/stockholm1972

Search via ReFindit


United Nations (2022). Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Platform, Post-2015 Development Agenda. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015

Search via ReFindit


United Nations (2023a). The United Nations Global Survey for a Better World. Dataset available: http://data.myworld2030.org/

Search via ReFindit


United Nations (2023b). Gateway Data Explorer / Global Survey on Sustainability and the SDGs. https://sdghelpdesk.unescap.org/data-portals

Search via ReFindit


University of Tokyo (2023). Tackling sustainability challenges since 1994. Available at: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/focus/en/features/z0508_00238.html

Search via ReFindit


Vilks, A., Kipane, A., & Krivins, A. (2024). Preventing international threats in the context of improving the legal framework for national and regional security. Social & Legal Studios, 7(1), 97-105. https://doi.org/10.32518/sals1.2024.97

Search via ReFindit


Wilderer, P.A. (2007). Sustainable water resource management: the science behind the scene. Sustain Sci, 2, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-007-0022-0

Search via ReFindit


Wuyts, W. (2024). Finding Satoyama – Forest bathing as a creative practice of knowledge creation and healing in/with/through damaged landscapes. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(2), 105-133. https://doi.org/10.33182/joe.v3i2.2998

Search via ReFindit


Xiang, Q., Yuan, Z., Furuya, K., & Kagawa, T. (2022). Verification of Psychophysiological Effects of Satoyama Activities on Older Adult Volunteers and Young People in Post-COVID-19 Society: A Case Study of Matsudo City, Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), art. no. 10760. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710760

Search via ReFindit


Xu, J., Suzuki, K., Kanda, T., Newman, C., & Kaneko, Y. (2024). Invasive Raccoons (Procyon lotor) have Little Effect on the Food Habits of Native Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in a Satoyama Area of Tokyo. Mammal Study, 49(1), 57-68. https://doi.org/10.3106/ms2022-0041

Search via ReFindit