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Yu Ishihara

Yu Ishihara

Executive Director, MSCI Research

Yu Ishihara is primarily responsible for MSCI’s ESG research on the automobile industry. He previously spent several years as a buy-side analyst covering automobiles, consumer-staple and retail companies across the Asia Pacific region. Before joining MSCI, Yu worked at various investment banks as an equity-derivatives trader based in Tokyo and Hong Kong. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cornell University.

Research and Insights

Articles by Yu Ishihara

    The World Electric Vehicles May Create

    Podcast | Nov 8, 2024 | Michael Disabato, Yu Ishihara

    VW announced it would shut at least three of its German plants, axe tens of thousands of jobs and slash pay by 10%. This is notable because VW is the powerhouse of Germany which typically has been the EU’s industrial engine – meaning jobs, meaning unions, meaning political might. But this is more than a VW story. It is a story of how the energy transition – the transition from pollutive to non-pollutive forms of economic operations – is upending the global order of established industries. It is the story of the hard tradeoffs we have to make in our effort to cut carbon emissions.

    In this episode we explore that new world and what it means for the auto industry; an industry many countries and states rely on for their economic driver.

    The Future of Energy

    Podcast | Sep 5, 2024 | Chris Cote, Yu Ishihara

    A key aspect of controlling climate change is the energy transition. We bring in experts from MSCI ESG Research and Cohen & Steers to see what progress has been made and to discuss the associated risks and opportunities.

    Auto Industry: Emissions vs. Economics

    Research Report | Aug 21, 2024 | Yu Ishihara

    Investors looking to identify leaders and laggards in the auto industry may need to look beyond pure CO2 reductions or even company-declared EV targets and focus more on how companies are managing the tradeoff between emissions and economics.  

    ESG and Climate Reporting with Derivatives

    Research Report | Jan 5, 2024 | Hitendra D Varsani, Yuliya Plyakha Ferenc, Yu Ishihara, Dinank Chitkara, Rumi Mahmood

    No clear guidance presently exists on ESG and climate reporting for derivatives. Using input from market participants, regulatory guidance and a survey of existing research, we propose a framework for more transparent reporting to include derivatives. 

    Tracking APAC ESG Corporate Disclosure Frameworks Against International Developments

    Research Report | Nov 16, 2023 | Yu Ishihara

    The development of corporate sustainability disclosure frameworks is well underway in APAC, but the absence of standardized and harmonized frameworks may result in misaligned disclosures across markets, posing challenges for companies and investors. 

    The Five Stories of ESG: A Recap Episode

    Podcast | Oct 20, 2023 | Michael Disabato, Harlan Tufford, Chris Cote, Yu Ishihara, Antonios Panagiotopoulos, Mathew Lee

    This week, we are returning to five stories we have already covered to see what progress has been made (if any!): The Adani Group and its attempt to address a short seller report that questioned the group’s governance that led to a massive loss in market share; the United Auto Workers strikes and the continued struggle in the auto industry; the Inflation Reduction Act and the trillions of dollars of capital is supports; what the EPA’s methane rule has done for the gas industry in the US; and how Exxon has changed after having three seats of its 12 member board taken by over by Engine No. 1, an activist investor worried about carbon emissions.

    The United Auto Workers of ESG

    Podcast | Sep 22, 2023 | Michael Disabato, Yu Ishihara

    The demands made by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to the big three auto companies in the US are varied and touch on every part of ESG. But what may loom largest is the ongoing transition to electric vehicles that will change how a massive industry operates and employs its millions of workers. We discussed what the strikes mean for the future of the auto industry, and why the UAW is fighting an uphill battle as its industry changes.

    Blastin’ E[sg]-Cigs and the EPA

    Podcast | Apr 28, 2023 | Aura Toader, Yu Ishihara

    There is a considerate environmental cost to e-cigarettes. The critical metals that make up their batteries are more likely to be found in landfills than recycling facilities. Not only does this pose a problem for the environment but regulators are starting to take notice. In this episode, we discuss the environmental problem of e-cigarettes and what may be done to address it. Then, we discuss the ambitious new regulation on tail pipe emissions by the US Environmental Protection Agency that might be the most ambitious air quality regulation ever.

    It is Electric!

    Podcast | Sep 2, 2022 | Yu Ishihara

    Not many industries are as important as the automobile industry is to developed economies. At the moment, it is going through a change we haven’t seen in a century as it shifts toward electric vehicles and companies work to lower their emissions. In this episode, we discuss what the biggest changes have been to the auto industry so far in 2022 and where it may to go.

    The Birds and Bees and the ESG

    Podcast | Jun 24, 2022 | Gillian Mollod, Yu Ishihara

    As biodiversity loss accelerates, companies and investors are under increasing pressure to act. But turning data into decisions is trickier than it seems. And after a bumpy ride for the EV start-up, ELMS files for bankruptcy and rings a cautionary governance bell.

    ESG Reporting in Long-Short Portfolios

    Research Report | Apr 19, 2022 | Rumi Mahmood, Yuliya Plyakha Ferenc, Miranda Carr, Yu Ishihara

    We draw on our consultation with owners and managers of long-short portfolios to recommend best practices for fund-level ESG and climate reporting. 

    Financed Emissions and the Wild World of EV Start-Ups

    Podcast | Feb 11, 2022 | Nigel Fletcher, Yu Ishihara

    Matching scope 3 emissions with a bank’s loan book has been elusive. But recent pressure from inside and outside the banking industry may soon change that – then will come the truly hard questions. And although recent SPAC-merger listings have unlocked ready capital for EV startups, it’s left investors with more questions than answers.

    The US Infrastructure Deal

    Podcast | Nov 12, 2021 | Gillian Mollod, Chris Cote, Yu Ishihara, Mathew Lee

    A USD 1 trillion deal is scheduled to be signed into law by US President Biden on Monday, November 12. The deal, in the White House’s words, is imperative for the US to meet its commitment to reduce U.S. emissions by 50-52% from 2005 levels in 2030, create a 100% carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, and achieve a net-zero economy by 2050. It allocates funds toward updating the US transportation system, its energy infrastructure, its climate resiliency, and its water system. We discussed how these plans move from the political stratosphere to the more habitable land of economic stimulus.

    APAC is Better at ESG and EVs Are not Enough

    Podcast | Jun 25, 2021 | Miranda Carr, Yu Ishihara

    The APAC region is one of the richest in terms of ESG opportunities, such as renewables and electric vehicles, yet also one of the highest risk areas, with pollution and supply chain risk in abundance. The good news? Some of the highest risk markets in APAC have seen some of the biggest improvement in ESG scores in the past three years. We talk about what this means. And then we discuss what would happen to global emissions if everyone in the world drove electric vehicles for a year.