The Purpose of Capitalism: Lessons from Japan (2021)

While the Western business world wakes up to 'purpose' as a means to address massive environmental degradation, social division and income disparity, for centuries Japan has been playing the long game. 56% of companies in the world that are over 200 years old are in Japan (some of which are even approaching their 900th birthday). Environmentally, only 1% of waste ends up in landfills and in the global transition to renewables, Japan currently ranks No 5. What is it about Japanese business people that means that 'good corporate citizenship' 'purpose beyond profit' and are a natural attitude? And how has Japan's economy dealt with its successes and failures as a result? The Purpose of Capitalism: Insights from Japan takes an inside look at some of the biggest and oldest Japanese companies to find the answer. The result is an intimate and exciting film, that answers the questions heard in parliaments, boardrooms, and classrooms around the world: Can capitalism be done differently - and better?