About Sakura Quality Management
Sakura Quality Management Co., Ltd. (SQM) obtained status as a GSTC-accredited Certification Body from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) on August 24, 2026. SQM independently assesses conformity with the applicable certification standard and certification requirements and makes certification decisions.
The former Sakura Quality An ESG Practice program, commonly known as Sakura Quality Green, operated as a rating system for accommodation facilities. It assessed the status of their initiatives relating to the environment, local communities, culture, and sustainable operations against prescribed assessment criteria, and presented the level of achievement using a five-tier ranking system from 1 Gyoiko Sakura to 5 Gyoiko Sakura.
certification Programs
"Sakura Quality An ESG Practice" is a Japan-originated ESG certification for accommodation facilities, whose standards have been approved by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the organization that develops and manages international sustainability criteria.
This certification aims to maintain and improve the level of daily SDGs initiatives in areas such as community engagement, cultural preservation, and environmental practices within the hospitality industry.
The certification process involves on-site inspections by experienced assessors, followed by a review conducted by an independent and neutral third-party auditing body. Facilities that are recognized for their thorough commitment to Japan-specific approaches to the SDGs are awarded the certification.
