By Leika Kihara and Takahiko Wada
TOKYO (Reuters) - In a country only starting to embrace green finance, a small lender based near picturesque Lake Biwa, Japan s largest freshwater lake, is making the most of its early push into environmentally friendly banking.
While Japan s mega banks are among the biggest lenders to the global coal industry, regional Shiga Bank has long supported its local community s efforts to preserve the region s natural habitat.
With Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledging to make Japan net carbon-free by 2050, it is broadening its green activities beyond its local prefecture, looking to earn new fees and differentiate itself in a crowded sector, while other small lenders are also chiming in.