The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) held the official launch of the AWS Standard Version 3.0 in Japan on 18 March 2026, hosted at the Suntory World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The event brought together water stewardship practitioners, corporate members, NGO representatives and certification professionals to mark a significant milestone in the evolution of the AWS Standard.
The event was emceed by Mei Haneo of WWF Japan and opened with a warm welcome from Harumichi Seta, Senior General Manager of the Sustainability Management Division at Suntory Holdings Ltd., before AWS CEO Adrian Sym delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for the day and underscoring the importance of the updated AWS Standard Version 3.0 in addressing global and regional water challenges.
AWS Standards Manager Tyler Farrow then provided a comprehensive introduction to AWS Standard Version 3.0, walking attendees through the key changes from Version 2.0 and outlining the pathways available for organisations seeking certification. An extended Q&A session followed, facilitated by Mei Haneo and Tyler Farrow, giving participants the opportunity to explore the practical implications of the updated Standard.
This was followed by a valuable member perspective from Satoru Yukioka of Chugai Pharmaceutical, who shared their experience of pursuing AWS certification and the benefits it has brought to their operations.
AWS Japan Sector Coordinator Kei Namba then presented on the opportunities for water stewardship in Japan, highlighting the local context and the growing momentum behind corporate water action in the region, before introducing the Japan Water Stewardship (JWS) initiative and outlining how organisations can get involved.
The launch ceremony closed with remarks from Alexis Morgan of WWF, who reflected on the influence of the Standard from an NGO perspective and offered a personal view on what Version 3.0 means for the broader water stewardship community. Kei Namba delivered the formal closing before attendees gathered for a group photo to mark the occasion.
Following a short break, an optional afternoon session titled ‘From Standard to Real Actions: Advancing Water Stewardship with AWS Standard Version 3.0’ provided participants with a practical introduction to implementing the Standard.
Introduced by Kei Namba, the session featured a series of presentations by Tyler Farrow covering how to define site boundaries and catchments of relevance, the role of stakeholder engagement across all five steps of the AWS Standard, and how to set water stewardship plans and targets by understanding impacts, dependencies, risks and shared water challenges.
Water Stewardship Assurance Services (WSAS) Auditor Naoya Ogawa then shared information about the certification process and insights from his experiences auditing sites. AWS CEO Adrian Sym brought the day to a close with final remarks.
The Tokyo launch marked an important step forward for water stewardship in Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region. With growing corporate interest in responsible water management and a strong network of stakeholders already engaged through JWS, the release of the AWS Standard Version 3.0 arrives at an opportune moment. AWS looks forward to supporting organisations across Japan and beyond as they work towards certification under the new Standard.
“AWS Standard Version 3.0 strengthens clarity, supports inclusivity, and enables more effective action in the face of water challenges that are becoming ever more complex. In a world in which the water cycle is intensifying, climate change is increasing unpredictability, water quality concerns are growing, and businesses face rising scrutiny and consumer expectations, Version 3.0 equips companies to respond to these realities with greater confidence and effectiveness. ”
Photos from the event
