The B Corp community gathered at the SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP office! A report on “B Corp Gathering Night,” an event focused on corporate sustainability.

Hello! I am Sunny-chan from the PR team.

In June 2024, SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP obtained the international certification “B Corporation™ (B Corp) Certification,” which recognizes companies with a strong public benefit orientation that considers society and the environment. As a member of the B Corp community and as a company providing PR and communications, we work every day with the aim of spreading sustainability further and further throughout society.

Today, as one of these initiatives, we would like to introduce the B Corp community event we held at our office at the end of last year.

◾️First, what is “B Corp Certification”?

“B Corp Certification” is an international certification system operated by B Lab, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization. It is a standard that demonstrates that a company creates not only economic profit, but also benefits for all stakeholders—including society, the environment, employees, and customers—and it is awarded to companies that meet B Lab’s rigorous criteria.

As of February 2025, approximately 9,514 companies worldwide have obtained the certification, and SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP was the 42nd company in Japan to do so.

For more details on B Corp Certification, please see our cross-interview article featuring Mr. Torii, Co-Representative of B Market Builder Japan, which promotes the B Corp movement in Japan, and Tanimura, who led our group’s B Corp Certification acquisition.

▼Previously published article
SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP obtains the international “B Corp™ Certification”! Exploring a sustainable society with Mr. Torii, Co-Representative of B Market Builder Japan

◾️B Corp community activities

A community is essential both for aiming to obtain B Corp Certification and for spreading it more widely.

The B Corp community is a network that brings together not only certified companies, but also companies pursuing certification, as well as companies and individuals that do business with or invest in certified companies, to understand B Corp standards and promote better business practices and corporate growth. In Japan, B Market Builder Japan (BMBJ), as B Lab’s official partner, has been operating under a new structure since March 2024, aiming for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

By holding study sessions and events regularly, it serves as a forum where members deepen their understanding of B Corp principles and standards, share the latest sustainability information and practical case studies, and connect as they explore better ways of doing business.

◾️At last, “B Corp Gathering Night” begins

This event, held at the SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP office, was organized to commemorate the visit to Japan of Corey Lien, founder of DOMI—the first company in Taiwan to obtain B Corp Certification—and also a co-founder of B Lab Taiwan.

Under the theme “B Corp Gathering Night: Purpose—who is it for?”, we joined the B Corp community in Japan to consider the essence of “purpose” in business.

A total of 40 people attended, including companies that have obtained B Corp Certification, companies aiming to obtain it, BMBJ partners, and journalists with an interest in B Corp Certification.

The event began in a warm atmosphere, starting with opening remarks from Mr. Torii, Co-Representative of BMBJ.

As a member of B Corp, our group also shared the journey to certification and its significance for a company providing PR and communications, in a talk by Tanimura, Executive Officer of SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP Inc., who was responsible for our B Corp Certification acquisition.

In Corey’s presentation, he spoke about the importance of having a “purpose” in promoting corporate sustainability. Using the difference between “a company that simply obtained B Corp Certification” and “a company that acts as a B Corp” as an example, it was a thought-provoking session that prompted us to reflect deeply on the essence of purpose—such as what kind of impact a company wants to create in society through its business, and what that is ultimately for.

Participants strongly resonated with the idea that B Corp Certification should be seen not as a goal, but as a new starting point—and with the significance of taking action to realize a sustainable society.

During the networking session that followed, participants enjoyed drinks and light refreshments provided by B Corp-certified companies while exchanging views—sparked by Corey’s talk—on their own company’s “purpose” and their efforts toward certification.

It was a meaningful time that deepened collaboration between Japan and Taiwan, as well as with the global B Corp community.

This event brought together Japan’s B Corp community and provided a valuable opportunity to think deeply about the role companies should play in realizing a better society.

We hope that, as more companies obtain B Corp Certification and more companies begin aiming for B Corp, the number of companies committed to sustainability will continue to grow. As SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP, we felt we must continue exploring what initiatives we can pursue to contribute to that effort.

We look forward to seeing you again in our next report.