nuclear-news

4 firms on International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons list now ban nuclear arms investment

4 firms on ICAN list ban nuclear arms investment  https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180324_11/  NHK has learned that at least 4 Japanese financial institutions listed by a nuclear-weapons watchdog as investing in firms involved in the production of nuclear weapons have internal policies forbidding such ties.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN, says 329 banks and asset management firms in 24 countries and regions invested in companies involved in nuclear weapons production over a 3-year period starting in 2014.

NHK contacted 7 Japan-based banks and other institutions listed by the Nobel Peace Prize-winning group. Asked about ICAN’s findings, 3 of the firms said they do not currently deal with such companies. Four institutions did not reply.

At least 4 said their internal regulations restrict them from investing or providing loans to businesses related to nuclear weapons production.

ICAN says 30 non-Japanese companies have suspended such investments following the adoption last year of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Yuki Tanabe, an official at the Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society, says banks and other institutions could be accused of lacking social responsibility by doing business with such companies — even when they have no direct deals with them, or have policies against such investments.

March 25, 2018 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, Japan