2021.10.19

          Today, we watched a documentary, “Corporation”. To summarize the first 30-40 minutes that we watched today, corporations’ agendas are giving a negative influence on the world. Some examples include pollution, child labor, and cheap labor. These environmental and social problems caused by corporations are deep-rooted and hard to figure out. In the current system, it is legally obligated for corporations to maximize the profit for shareholders. Therefore, a corporation’s CSR policy needs to be changed if shareholders asked for it, no matter how little the shares are. For example, Body Shop wanted to produce animal-free commodities and do fair trade. However, L’Oréal bought the company and told Body Shop to stop. Through the case study, I started to get a feeling that this system is one major cause of the current situation. I am curious to know about the Japanese version of the law.
     For the solution, I believe using the customer’s power is most effective. Nowadays, there are SNS that allows us to spread the information of the brand or company. “Cancel Culture” and “Supporting the brand” can work positively for corporations not taking social responsibility. Moreover. I believe that the corporation should not be treated as a legal “person” because corporations are clearly immortal and the system gives too much power.