In February 2026, the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) published the final report of its "Independent Impact Evaluation of the AWS System - Phase Two: Good Water Governance"＊¹, a rigorous, independent assessment of the medium- to long-term impacts of AWS Certification on water governance. Drawing on qualitative data from 15 AWS Certified Sites across six countries -- China, India, Ireland, Japan, Peru and the United States -- the report examines how implementing the AWS Standard contributes to responsible water management at site and catchment levels. Among the sites featured, Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant was highlighted as a case study demonstrating meaningful contributions to good water governance.
Building on a Long History of Water Stewardship
Long before pursuing AWS Certification, Suntory Group had already established a wide range of water stewardship and conservation initiatives at its sites and in the surrounding catchments. Since 2004, Suntory's "Mizuiku -- Education Program for Nature and Water" has helped educate the next generation on the sustainable use of water, reaching schools across Japan. Through its Natural Water Sanctuary initiative, Suntory works to recharge groundwater by conserving and restoring forests around its plants. To date, 27 Natural Water Sanctuaries have been established across 16 prefectures nationwide, covering a total area of 12,000 hectares, including 420 hectares in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The Phase Two report recognizes that working towards AWS Certification helped Suntory Group bring greater structure and coherence to these long-standing conservation efforts. Certified plants now operate with an annual plan for water governance activities, enabling more systematic and organized implementation of its water resource conservation programs.
Good Water Governance as a Driver of Broader Outcomes
The report validates the central role of good water governance in achieving sustainable water stewardship more broadly. Across the sites studied, AWS Certification was found to deepen dialogue and collaborative action with local communities, public authorities and other stakeholders, fostering catchment-wide collective action toward shared water challenges. The report also demonstrates that improvements in water governance generate positive knock-on effects across the other four AWS outcomes: Sustainable Water Balance, Good Water Quality Status, Important Water-Related Areas (IWRAs), and Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All (WASH).
Leading Water Stewardship in Japan and Beyond
Suntory Group has been at the forefront of AWS Certification in Japan. Beginning with Suntory Tennensui Okudasen Buna no Mori Plant in 2018 -- the first site in Japan to receive AWS Certification -- the Group has since achieved AWS Platinum Certification, the highest level of recognition, at all four of its Suntory Tennensui plants＊². In 2021, Suntory became the first company in Japan to join AWS as a member organization, entering into a formal partnership agreement to promote water stewardship awareness and stakeholder engagement nationwide. In March 2025, Suntory joined four other Japanese AWS members to launch the Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group (JWS), an initiative to elevate water stewardship practices in Japan to global standards.
Suntory Group remains committed to contributing to healthy water cycles across catchments, working hand in hand with local communities, public authorities and civil society to lead credible water stewardship in Japan and around the world.
＊¹ Alliance for Water Stewardship. Independent Impact Evaluation of the AWS System - Phase Two: Good Water Governance, Full Report. February 2026. Prepared by Ric Eales Consulting Ltd. Authors: Paula Orr and Ric Eales.
