Winter 2023

The dialogue surrounding impact investing in Asia is intensifying, buoyed by the region's burgeoning wealth and philanthropy, coupled with a heightened consciousness of social and environmental issues. Corporations across Asia are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and social responsibility, motivated by intrinsic values as well as external influences from consumers and investors. This shift within the corporate sphere is broadening the scope for impact investing, with investors now more inclined to pursue opportunities where success is gauged not just financially, but also by the positive societal and environmental impact.

In light of this evolving landscape, the Winter Issue of the Asian Impact Management Review positions itself at the vanguard of this dialogue, delivering rich insights, case studies, and expert opinions that dissect the intricacies and prospects of impact measurement and management within the sphere of impact investing. This edition features Michiru Toda's cover story, which captures the escalating momentum of impact investing in Japan and its wider implications, underlining how 'impact' is becoming a universally understood term across diverse Asian sectors. Toda's piece sheds light on Japan's embracement of impact investing and explores its transformative effect on economic activities.

Additionally, Nao Sudo and Peter Bent's organizational report on Impact Frontiers and Impact-Financial Integration offers a deep dive into the non-profit organization's work on norm stewardship. This piece is pivotal in understanding how investors can effectively address impact and financial considerations in their decision-making process. Key highlights include Eriko Ito's organizational report on Japan's latest trends in impact investment, offering a comprehensive view of how governmental support and private participation are reshaping the investment landscape. Diana Tjoeng's regional report poignantly discusses the potential of impact investments to drive substantive change, timely given the Australian Government's recent initiatives. This issue also spotlights the essential role of gender inclusion in business, with Aparajita Agrawal and Shoshana Grossman-Crist's insightful case study from the Gender Smart Nexus Benchmark Report. Such inclusivity is paramount to achieving broader sustainability goals, as underscored by Bonnie Chiu's examination of the transition from impact measurement to impact management. Our research highlights, led by Weina Zhang and Mengyao Kang, emphasize the need for a common language in impact assessment, crucial for harmonizing impact metrics across sectors. In addition, Robert Brown’s book review on 'Impact Investing and Social Enterprises' provides a critical understanding of the nature and achievements of impact investments globally, a must-read for investors and financial advisors. Naina Subberwal Batra's insights in 'Revolutionizing Philanthropy' offer a unique perspective on the journey of AVPN, its role as an ecosystem builder, and the future of venture philanthropy in Asia. Terence Yuen's methodology article on the modified Balanced Scorecard framework suggests innovative approaches to corporate performance management in the context of impact measurement and ESG assessment.

We are confident that the informed, insightful, and impactful discussions presented in this issue are pivotal in sculpting a sustainable and equitable future. We invite you to join us on this enlightening journey as we navigate the immense potential of impact investing and management, striving towards a world that is more sustainable, inclusive, and impactful.