The B Corp movement has seen sizable growth in Asia, but with that growth comes complexity. From certification challenges to cultural interpretations of doing good, this episode explores how local leaders are adapting global standards to regional realities.
Guests, Nozomi Torii (CEO of Value Books and B Market Builder Japan), Cecilia Hough (B Lab Singapore), and Sally Ren (Director of B Community B Corp China) offer an honest look at what it takes to expand a global movement across vastly different social, political, and business contexts.
While each country is seeing a rise in certified B Corps, the path forward includes unique hurdles, like communicating long-term value to skeptical companies or re-framing DEI in societies where the dominant equity issues differ from the West.
The conversation also unpacks how new B Corp standards are being received in Asia, and why transparency, collective action, and community-building are becoming essential tools for growth. From startup furniture makers to multi-market brands, the stories shared offer both realism and hope for what’s possible.
If you're curious about the future of business in Asia and what it means to localize impact without diluting its integrity, tune in for this informative and thought-provoking conversation.
Key Points From This Episode
- Our guests, Nozomi Torii, Cecilia Hough, and Sally Ren, and their B Corp journeys.
- The current state of B Corps in China (69), Japan (54), and Singapore (53).
- Examples of noteworthy B Corps from our guests: FERMENSTATION in Japan, Bettr Barista in Singapore, and MUMO in China.
- An overview of local challenges for B Corp communities in Singapore, Japan, and China.
- How consumers and companies are discovering B Corps in all three markets.
- Reflections on the new B Corp standards and how global companies are responding.
- The challenges of applying human rights language in culturally distinct settings.
- How DEI (or JEDI) looks different across countries and how it's being implemented.
- Multinationals in the B Corp community and addressing concerns around greenwashing.
- Unpacking the rigorous certification process that multinationals need to go through.
- A discussion on balancing commercial goals with purpose within the B Corp movement.
- Why collective action and community-building are key to greater B Corp impact in Asia.
- A call to global B Corps to connect with and support local Asian B Corp communities.
Quotations
“As of now, there are 69 companies in mainland China that have obtained B Corp certifications. While some of these companies have chosen, now, to renew their certification after the three-year period.” — Sally Ren [0:08:44]
“Let me give a shout-out to one of our first B Corps, Bettr Barista. They're actually the first B Corp in Southeast Asia. They've just recently, in the last month, re-certified for the fourth time!” — Cecilia Hough [0:12:49]
“In general, the business culture in Japan it's quite aligned with B Corp’s value. But there are certainly some areas to improve, especially JEDI and then the climate crisis.” — Nozomi Torii [0:22:01]
“Gender inequality is a huge issue in Japan. — So that is something that we have to really work on. And then business has a huge responsibility for that.” — Nozomi Torii [0:35:16]
“I wouldn't say our [B Corp] community is perfect, but we see their actions, not just commitments.” — Sally Ren [0:44:21]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode
- Nozomi Torii: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nozomi-torii-25816766/
- Cecilia Hough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilia-hough/
- Sally Ren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-ren-she-her-hers-6a9256188/
- Value Books Inc: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/value-books-inc/
The B Corp Handbook (Second Edition): https://www.lifteconomy.com/book - B Impact Assessment Tool: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/programs-and-tools/b-impact-assessment/
- B Lab Global Network: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/movement/global-network/
B Lab Singapore: https://www.bcorpsingapore.org/ - B Lab Singapore Impact Report: https://www.bcorpsingapore.org/_files/ugd/e15325_f493729c1c26496e835223b3f3aac6ed.pdf
B Lab Japan: https://bcorporation.jp/ - How Value Books is Trying to Fix the Gender Gap in Japan: https://www.valuebooks.jp/endpaper/14190/
- B Market Builder Japan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcorpjp/about
- Fermenstation: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/fermenstation-co-ltd/
MUMO: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/mumo/
Bettr Barista: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/bettr-barista/ - Struggle for the Soul of the B Corp movement (w/ Erinch Sahan): https://open.spotify.com/episode/3YjJAhojgMVFDj6yL34dsU?go=1&sp_cid=a8376205cdb478af8549c66186e4328f
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B Corp Consultant
Interested in certifying, recertifying, or maximizing the value of your B Corp certification? Learn more about our B Corp consulting services at LIFT Economy.
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