Mizuho has been recognised for excellent innovation as well as expanding green bond issuances into the climate change adaptation and climate resilience space.

Given growing attention to the importance of not only climate change mitigation but also climate change adaptation, Mizuho structured or acted as underwriter for several green bonds issued by local municipalities and FILP (Fiscal Investment and Loan Programme) agencies, leveraging the knowledge and expertise of its special teams for sustainable finance deployed in Japan, Asia, Europe and the US.

In 2020, Mizuho served as the structuring agent or lead manager for ESG bonds in various currencies and markets including: the yen-denominated bonds issued by Nagano Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture and Japan Water Agency in the Japanese market; the euro-denominated bonds issued by Japan Finance Organization for Municipalities in the European market; and the US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Manila Water Company in the Asian market.

These three deals by Japanese issuers in the Japanese markets were the first three subsidy programs for green bonds for adaptation projects certified by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. Mizuho also ranked at the top of the publicly offered Japanese ESG bonds league table in for the financial year of 2019 and for 2020 so far.

Sachie Ii, head of the sustainable finance office at Mizuho Securities, said: "Thank you for designating Mizuho as a winner at Environmental Finance's Bond Awards 2021. We are honoured to receive such a prestigious award. We will continue to support our clients in resolving environmental and social issues and contribute to the further expansion of the ESG bond market."