‘Sanpō Yoshi’ and the Economy of Mutuality in Japan

This morning, I reconnected with an old acquaintance in Japan, triggering memories of the 2022 Responsible Investor conference in Tokyo where we explored the concept of Sanpō Yoshi, meaning ‘three-way satisfaction,’ and its affinity to the concept of Mutuality in the Economy.

Sanpō Yoshi, originating in the Edo Period (1603-1868) and the Meiji Era (1868-1912), advocates for businesses to engage in transactions that mutually benefit the buyer, the seller, and society at large. It underscores the importance of fostering mutual relationships that create value for all parties involved.

It reminded me of our discussion about how this economic approach resonates deeply with Eastern cultures (Japan, China), as demonstrated by the interest our latest book, co-edited with @ColinMayer, Purpose into Practice has generated in Japan, click here for the translation of the first chapter of our book into Japanese, and in China, where it was translated into Chinese by China Publishing House.

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