UNICEF, SIMI and K-three Inc. come together to advance CLI in Japan

The cooperation focuses on introducing CLI to the Japanese market.  Through strong engagement with domestic investors, companies and financial institutions, SIMI and K-three aim to tailor the approach to the Japanese context. The initiative will also include a regional pilot program to incorporate the perspective of Child-Lens Investing into actual investment processes. Moreover, SIMI, K-three and UNICEF will work together to build awareness within the financial industry on investment opportunities related to children's rights and wellbeing.

“CLI is rooted in a child-centered approach, aligning the philosophy of protecting and advancing children’s rights with the mechanism of finance. We believe embarking on this strategy for Japan is a deeply significant step forward not only for Japanese children but also children globally,” said Katsuji Imada, Representative Director, Social Impact Management Initiative (SIMI) in SIMI’s announcement.

Masaki Kochi, President and CEO, K-three Inc., and a SIMI Board member, added "As our journey continues to promote structural changes to promote children’s rights, I have realized that achieving fundamental solutions requires both incentives for corporate behavioral change and sustainable capital cycles. UNICEF’s CLI, will be a vital pillar for creating such cycles. Leveraging our practical knowledge from Okinawa, we are committed to building a new investment ecosystem in Japan centered on children's rights and well-being."

The Social Impact Management Initiative (SIMI), a general incorporated foundation, is a platform for promoting social impact management that was established in 2016 and incorporated in 2020. It is a collaborative effort among diverse stakeholders in Japan, including nonprofit organizations, companies, funders and intermediaries, government agencies, intermediary support organizations, think tanks, evaluators, and researchers, and as of July 2025, approximately 140 organizations and individuals are members.

K-three Inc. provides support to various organizations, including government, businesses, NPOs, and financial institutions, in solving social issues. Its "Social Value Co-Creation Department," focuses mainly on methods such as social impact management, impact investment, and Payment for Success (PFS), while its "Okinawa Kafuu Co-Creation Department," is a region-specific department aimed at solving social issues in Okinawa.