JALT Business Communication

How to Address Circular Economy (CE) Trends: A Business Communication Perspective

Yukio Takagaki, Ph.D., DBA
Surugadai University

JALT Business Communication Journal, 2025
https://doi.org/10.37546/JALTSIG.BzCom3.1-7

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) has gained increasing global momentum, particularly in the European Union, where policies and business practices supporting resource circularity are rapidly advancing. In Japan, public awareness remains limited, and CE research within business administration is still emerging despite strong governmental leadership and growing corporate interest. This paper provides an overview of CE concepts, international developments, and Japan’s current policy landscape, highlighting opportunities and challenges in transitioning from a linear to a circular economic model. Particular attention is given to the role of business communication, which is essential for aligning diverse stakeholders—including governments, corporations, supply-chain partners, and local communities—and for fostering shared understanding, collaboration, and behavioral change. The analysis identifies key structural and communicative challenges in implementing CE initiatives in Japan and emphasizes the need for clearer messaging, inter-organizational coordination, and intercultural competence. The paper concludes by calling for future empirical research that integrates CE frameworks with business communication strategies to support Japan’s sustainable economic transformation.

Keywords: circular economy; sustainability; business communication; stakeholder collaboration; Japanese policy

Yukio Takagaki, Ph.D., DBA is Professor Emeritus at Surugadai University, where he specialized in international business, corporate strategy, and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises. His research has focused on the internationalization of Japanese firms, foreign direct investment, and the development of environmental and global management strategies. Through his teaching and scholarly work, Dr. Takagaki has contributed to advancing understanding of how companies build and sustain competitiveness in an increasingly global business environment.