Suzhou Yokogawa Meter Co. Cooperates on the Japan-China 3Es Research Project (Chinese Corporate Management Research)

Suzhou Yokogawa Meter Co. (SYC) of the Yokogawa Group was selected as the model corporation for a study on environmental accounting under a joint research project between Keio University (Japan) and Tsinghua University (China), the "Japan-China 3Es (Energy, Environment, and Economy) Research Project," thus promoting the spread of environmental accounting in China.

China is undertaking large-scale developments in the western region and is building the infrastructure for economic growth and prosperity of the nation. However, the plans inevitably involve energy concerns and environmental issues. The project was set up to study ways of managing development and maintaining a balance between the budget and the environment, as well as avoiding pollution problems incurred by advanced nations and protecting the global environment.

On November 28, thirteen members from Keio University, Tsinghua University, Chuo Aoyama Audit Corporation, and the Japan External Trade Organization visited SYC. The members outlined the project and environmental accounting, and then SYC presented its corporate profile and environmental protection activities and led a tour of the plant to deepen mutual understanding. Yokogawa Electric Corporation's Environmental Conservation Promotion Dept. then presented the Yokogawa Group's concept of environmental accounting and a discussion followed. The project team and SYC agreed to identify the performance and costs by the next meeting in February 2001, and to draw up a statement of accounting and an accounting report to accomplish the research project in March 2001.