This case study looked at the accelerating deforestation in the Amazon, largely due to the expansion of rangelands in the Amazon region. Brazilian meat companies indirectly source cattle from illegally logged areas through networks of farmers that hide the true origins of cattle, which has allowed companies to claim plausible deniability when pressed on their participation in illegal logging. This method is known as “cattle laundering”. Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund and the Public School Mutual Aid Association are listed as major investors who continue to supply the companies. Thus, Fair Finance Guide Japan urges Japanese institutional investors to establish strict environmental and human rights policies to prevent further funding of Amazon deforestation, much like the Norwegian pension funds that have withdrawn from such investment. 

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