Partial Acquisition of Publicly Offered Samurai Green Bonds Issued by Government of Romania
Supporting Vitalization of Samurai Bond Market, Strengthening Cooperation with Government of Romania, and Helping Achieve Its Carbon Neutrality Goals

• Region: Europe
• Environment
• Others
• Untied Loans

1. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC; Governor: HAYASHI Nobumitsu) partially acquired yen-denominated foreign bonds (Samurai bonds^*1) today under the Guarantee and Acquisition toward Tokyo market Enhancement (GATE) ^*2financing facility. These bonds are part of Green bonds^*3, totaling JPY33 billion, issued by the government of Romania through public placement in the Japanese market.
     
2. Taking the opportunity of the Japan–Romania Summit Meeting in March 2023, JBIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Romania's Ministry of Finance^*4. The objective of the MOU is to further strengthen cooperation for diversifying funding sources, such as Samurai bonds, by the government of Romania. At this time, JBIC partially acquired the first Samurai bonds issued by the government of Romania.
     
3. In December 2023, the Romanian government formulated the Green Bond Framework, which is aligned with the Green Bond Principles of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). The Green bonds issued by the government of Romania this time are in line with this framework.
     
4. The government of Romania announced its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and is working to resolve environmental issues. The proceeds of the bonds will be allocated to the eligible projects under the framework, which may include mitigation and adaptation to climate change and formation of a sustainable society. The purchase of the bonds is in line with the policies of the government of Romania and will help the country achieve carbon neutrality, thereby strengthening cooperation between JBIC and Romania.
     
5. Supporting Samurai Green bond issuance by the government of Romania will contribute toward maintaining and increasing the presence of Romanian sovereign bonds in the Tokyo bond market with an ESG focus. It will also offer a wide range of investment opportunities to Japanese investors, thereby invigorating the Samurai bond market.
     
6. JBIC will continue to support the issuance of Samurai bonds by foreign governments and their agencies in the Tokyo bond market by utilizing its GATE financing facility and will contribute toward further deepening and developing economic relations between Japan and other countries.
     

Note

1. *1 
   Samurai bonds are yen-denominated bonds issued in the Tokyo bond market by foreign governments or companies. The Securities Registration Statement was submitted to the Kanto Local Finance Bureau from the government of Romania on September 18, 2024.
2. *2 
   See press release on April 15, 2010.
3. *3 
   Green bonds are bonds whose use of proceeds is limited to businesses that contribute to environmental goals, such as mitigation and adaptation to climate change, conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, and prevention and management of pollution. ESG investing (investments where environmental, social, and governance impacts are considered) includes investing in Green bonds.
4. *4 
   See press release on March 8, 2023.