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Social Contribution Activities

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Social Contribution Activities

The Sumitomo Corporation Group's Basic Principles on Social Contribution Activities

OBJECTIVE

We, as a global organization, will work on social issues through our business activities and social contribution activities with the aim of building a sustainable society by implementing the Sumitomo Corporation Group's Management Principles and Activity Guidelines.

ACTIVITIES

We will engage in social contribution activities aimed at developing the next generation of human resources who will drive the sustainable development of society, and contributing to local communities in areas we do business all over the world. We will also take part in various activities as a good corporate citizen.

APPROACH

We will perform and seek to continuously improve our activities with modesty and high aspirations and endeavor to maintain a high level of transparency while strengthening our relationships with all our stakeholders.

FY2022 Social Contribution Activity Costs

Total Social Contribution Activity Costs (unit: million yen)

  • The values above for local organizations and consolidated subsidiaries were calculated based on questionnaire results.
  • Does not include Associated companies.
  • Values reported by overseas offices were converted to yen using the exchange rate as of February 2023.

“100SEED” Social Contribution Program Looks ahead to the Next 100 Years

“100SEED” Social Contribution Program
Looks ahead to the Next 100 Years

100SEED

100SEED Launched with Global Group Employees to Mark Centennial

Under the 100SEED social contribution program, Sumitomo Corporation Group employees around the world hold discussions and conduct activities in consideration of the society 100 years from now.

Selecting “Quality Education” as the global theme, Sumitomo Corporation will make use of its human resources to implement this program on a medium- to long-term basis, thereby contributing to society and achieving sustainable growth together with it.

Mission Statement for 100SEED

We have selected “Quality Education” as the grand theme of the 100SEED (SC Emergent Evolutional Deed) program upheld to mark the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s 100th anniversary. Under this theme, we are committed to develop and support a variety of social contribution activities on a global scale.

Recognizing that “Quality Education” is a vital part of the sustainable development of society, we will continue to inspire ideas for supporting quality education to produce the talent needed to solve the many social challenges facing the world.

By promoting 100SEED, we encourage our SC colleagues around the world to create opportunities and leverage our diverse capabilities and resources so we can engage in activities that will dynamically realize our goal of “Enriching lives and the world.”

100SEED provides us a valuable opportunity for personal growth by learning from others and pursuing individual ideas through collaboration. We will commit time and resources to social action that will benefit any of us seeking to better society through quality education.

Activities to date

We launched activities to address educational issues in each region from 2020. In FY2022, 53 projects were implemented in 19 countries. Despite the continuing impact of COVID-19, we have been exercising our ingenuity in each region to gradually expand the initiative.

Item Boundary Unit FY2020 FY2021 FY2022
Number of projects
(Number of participating countries)
Sumitomo Corporation and regional organizations Projects
(Countries)
31
(14)
44
(16)
53
(19)
Number of participating employees Sumitomo Corporation and regional organizations Employees 696 765 1,506

In recognition of management involvement, activity targets, progress management and other KPIs, we won the special “Tanemaki (Seeding) Century Award” for 100SEED at the 19th Corporate Philanthropy Awards.

Refer to the following website for more information on this activity.

100SEED Website

- Mission Statement for 100SEED
- Enhancing Sustainability Management and 100SEED
- The Very First Story
- ACTIVITIES AROUND THE WORLD

Please see here for more details on 100SEED.

EAST ASIA ASIA&OSEANIA EMEA&CIS AMERICAS JAPAN

Educational Support in Impoverished Areas : China

BUTTON UP /POWER UP / LIGHT UP Project: Thailand

PlayPump Installation : South Africa

Support for Child Daycare Services : Brazil

Career education support program Mirai School : Japan

Sumitomo Corporation China Group is continuing to develop educational environments for children in impoverished areas of Xiao County, Anhui Province. Money used to support this project comes from employee donations and matching sums from the company. A range of interactions are provided, including inviting students to our offices and other locations after employees visit the area. Addressing educational challenges in Thailand, this project comprises three activities: “BUTTON UP” to create educational environments for elementary school children in disadvantaged areas, “POWER UP” to provide 21st century skills for university students before they enter the workforce, and “LIGHT UP” to provide teacher training to raise the level of education. Many schools in South Africa are facing a dire shortage of water, impacting the health and attendance rates of students. To address these concerns, this project continues to install PlayPumps, at elementary schools, that pump up groundwater as children play on the playground equipment. Plans are in place to provide water and hygiene education through further employee visits in the future. With Brazil being added to the Hunger Map once again as a result of the pandemic, Sumitomo Corporation do Brasil launched a project to provide fresh food with the aim of boosting immunity and promoting growth and development of children. Employees donated ten times more than originally planned, which enabled a year’s worth of fresh vegetables and fruit to be delivered to local childcare facilities. This project provides educational support to the next generation who will lead the future. Employees visit high schools around Japan to speak about their own careers and attitudes to work to provide students with opportunities to think about the future and careers. Over the past three years, over 10,000 students at 68 high schools have attended the program.
[Summary of activities in FY2022]
Employees: 192 participants
Total activity hours 145 hours
Employees: 186 participants
Total activity hours 1,394 hours
Employees: 2 participants
Total activity hours 5 hours
Employees: 43 participants
Total activity hours 15 hours
Employees: 86 participants
Total activity hours 1,290hours
Number of people (organizations) to be supported: 154(students) Number of people (organizations) to be supported: 2,510(students) Number of people (organizations) to be supported: 2(elementary schools) Number of people (organizations) to be supported: 150(children) Number of people (organizations) to be supported: 4,998(high school students)
Satisfaction: 100% Satisfaction: 100% Satisfaction: 100% Satisfaction: 100% Satisfaction: 97%

Developing the Next Generation of Human Resources

The Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship

Having supported the development of future leaders in Asian countries since 1996

In 1996, as part of its 50th anniversary initiative, Sumitomo Corporation established the Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship. Since then, the scholarship has been given to outstanding university students in Asian countries, including Mongolia, Bangladesh and Pakistan, for the development of future leaders in those countries. The number of recipients of the scholarship has increased from an initial 263 students of 33 universities in 17 countries to about 1,000 students of 45 universities. In response to changes in the economic situation of each country, Sumitomo Corporation has been changing the support in cooperation with its local organizations located in the countries.

Scholarship award ceremony held at the National University of Mongolia

The total number of students who have benefited from the scholarship reached about 17,000 by the end of fiscal 2022.
Sumitomo Corporation is operating the scholarship program in cooperation with its subsidiaries and offices located in the targeted countries, and the program is indeed a unique initiative that would not be possible without our global network. We will continue the activity in consideration of the local needs of each country and region, while further advancing the program.

Scholarship award ceremony held at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia

Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program for Exchange Students from China

Supporting the development of the next generation of leaders who will act as a bridge between Japan and China

Sumitomo Corporation initiated the Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship in 1996 and has since been supporting Chinese students under this program. In light of China’s remarkable economic development over recent years, believing it important to strengthen the friendship and relationship between Japan and China in private sector, Sumitomo Corporation launched a scholarship program for Chinese students studying in Japan to foster the development of global leaders who would make it happen.

Meeting the president while receiving training at the head office

In addition to financial assistance to cover round-trip travel expenses and living costs in Japan, scholarship recipients enjoy opportunities for interaction with employees from Sumitomo Corporation China prior to leaving for Japan, and they are provided with advice regarding day-to-day life in Japan. These students are also invited to the Tokyo head office while in Japan to participate in training designed to enhance their understanding of business and culture in Japan. In addition, they pay a courtesy visit to the Chinese Embassy and attend an event to interact with participants of the University of Tokyo’s Global Leadership Program. The students are thus provided with a range of opportunities to broaden their views and gain tips to design their own futures. Students who participated in the scholarship program have made comments, such as, “I would like to make an effort to improve my ability so as to act as a bridge between China and Japan for a better bilateral relationship.”

  • The University of Tokyo’s Global Leadership Program (GLP): Special educational program implemented by the University of Tokyo to develop undergraduate students into international leaders. Sumitomo Corporation has been giving financial support to the program since its inception in 2014.
Event for exchange with participants in the University of Tokyo’s GLP*

The TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program

Through this scholarship, Sumitomo Corporation gives support to Japanese university students wishing to study in the United States, with a view to contributing to the development of global talents with global insights.

Sumitomo Corporation participates in the TOMODACHI Initiative led by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the U.S.-Japan Council, and has been implementing the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program since 2014.

With Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council at the time

Under this program, Sumitomo Corporation gives financial support to cover the travel and living expenses of students who will participate in a year-long exchange scheme based on the mutual agreements made between Japanese and the US universities. In addition, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas provides the supported students with training to have experiences that would be unavailable on campus. Moreover in New York, the students visit Columbia Business School to exchange opinions with professors and students at the school. In Washington, they are also given opportunities to talk with the U.S.-Japan Council as well as officials of the Japanese and US governments, those related to the Congress and NGOs, and others. Through this program, Sumitomo Corporation will continue to contribute to the development of talents who can act as a bridge between Japan and the US and become leaders of next generation.

With Professor Hugh Patrick at Columbia University

[TOMODACHI Initiative]
The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support from the Government of Japan. Born out of support for Japan's recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs. The initiative seeks to foster a "TOMODACHI Generation" of young American and Japanese leaders who are committed to and engaged in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, appreciate each other's countries and cultures, and possess the global skills and mindsets needed to contribute to and thrive in a more cooperative, prosperous, and secure world.

Sponsored Lectures Bearing the Company Name Offered in Tsinghua University, China

Inviting prominent Japanese top executives to lecture at leading university in China with the aim of helping students gain a better understanding of Japanese corporations and business management.

In 2006, Sumitomo Corporation concluded a memorandum of understanding on joint research with Tsinghua University in Beijing, under which we invite Japan’s prominent top executives to the university twice a year to deliver a lecture for students shouldering the future of China. The lectures are on themes associated with leadership in the global society and corporate management. Each lecture attracts around 250 attendees including professors, government officials, and students from other nearby universities, as well as Tsinghua University students, and is always concluded with a heated Q&A session. The joint research program is highly regarded by Tsinghua University, and both the Company and the university have agreed to continue with this initiative into the future.

The famous Old Gate, which was constructed in 1909 and has been a witness of Tsinghua University’s history.

Past lectures sponsored by Sumitomo Corporation at Tsinghua University

lecturer Official position (at that time) Lecture Theme date
Mr. Motoyuki Oka Chairman, Sumitomo Corporation Leadership Demonstrated by Global Corporations 11/6/2007
Mr. Hirokazu Yoshikawa Chairman, Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd. Corporate Reform and Leadership 4/26/2008
Mr. Masahiro Sakane Chairman, Komatsu Ltd. Komatsu's Management Structure Reform 11/10/2008
Mr. Koichi Ikeda Chairman, Asahi Breweries, Ltd. Efforts to Enhance Corporate Value 4/23/2009
Mr. Tadaharu Ohashi Chairman, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Technological Innovation as the Key to Survive in the New Era for Resources, Energy and the Environment 11/5/2009
Mr. Akio Mimura Chairman, NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION Corporate Reform and its Cornerstone 4/15/2010
Mr. Shoichiro Suzuki Chairman, OJI PAPER CO., LTD. Reform at Oji Paper—Sustainable Development Achieved by a Long-established Corporation 11/11/2010
Mr. Susumu Kato President, Sumitomo Corporation Leadership for Managing an Integrated Trading Company in Drastic Global Economic Changes 4/14/2011
Mr. Masayuki Oku Chairman, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. Leadership in a Rapidly Changing Economic/Financial Environment 11/22/2011
Mr. Hiromichi Iwasa Chairman, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. Value Creation and Leadership: My Way of Managing a Corporation 4/11/2012
Mr. Motoyuki Oka Senior Adviser, Sumitomo Corporation What Constitutes a Good Organization 4/8/2013
Mr. Keiichi Okamoto President, Nikken Sekkei Ltd. As a World-leading Architectural Design Firm 10/24/2013
Mr. Atsutoshi Nishida Chairman, Toshiba Corporation Leadership and Human Resources Development in the Age of Globalization 4/17/2014
Mr. Fujio Cho Honorary Chairman, Toyota Motor Corporation Building a Strong Foundation Based on Collaborations among the Three Pillars of Management 9/25/2014
Mr. Yuji Ohashi Corporate Counselor, ANA Holdings Inc. Vision Upheld by Top Executive; Global Talent ANA Seeks for 4/16/2015
Mr. Yasuchika Hasegawa Chairman, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Takeda Pharmaceutical's Globalization and Organizational Reform 11/25/2015
Mr. Noriyuki Inoue Chairman, Daikin Industries, Ltd. Essence of Daikin's Organizational Reform 4/20/2016
Mr. Shinzo Maeda Senior Adviser, Shiseido Company Shiseido's Mission and Organizational Measures for Embodying It 10/17/2016
Mr. Takeo Higuchi Chairman, Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. Thinking Well Ahead for Preemptive Management: Learning from Nobuo Ishibashi, the Founder of Daiwa House Industry 4/18/2017
Mr. Nobuhiro Endo Chairman, NEC Corporation Corporate Values and Roles 11/15/2017
Mr. Kuniharu Nakamura Chairman, Sumitomo Corporation What is sustainable corporate management? 9/20/2018
Mr. Takahisa Takahara President, Unicharm Corporation Sustainable management envisioned by Unicharm Corporation 4/25/2019
Mr. Kenichiro Yamanishi Executive Corporate Adviser, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Aiming for sustainable management; strengthening the adaptability 11/7/2019
Mr. Yasuyoshi Karasawa Chairman, MS&AD Holdings Sustainable Management of MS & AD Group - toward a group that supports a resilient and sustainable society 4/14/2022
Mr. Shinya Katanozaka Chairman, ANA HOLDINGS INC. ANA Group Sustainability Management 3/9/2023
Mr. Tetsuji Ohashi Chairman, Komatsu Ltd. Komatsu's Management and Business Strategies for Sustainable Growth 4/6/2023

Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program in the Sultanate of Oman

Sumitomo Corporation supports Omani students studying at graduate schools in Japan with the aim of helping to develop human resources that will sustain the future of Oman.

Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation Middle East FZE have launched, through the Sumitomo Corporation Muscat Liaison Office , the Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program in the Sultanate of Oman in 2019 and have since been supporting Omani students studying at graduate schools in Japan.

Under this Program, Sumitomo Corporation Middle East provides Omani students studying at Japanese graduate schools with tuition and living expenses for two years plus round-trip travel expenses. Additionally, Sumitomo Corporation supports students in selecting a graduate school in Japan, taking entrance examinations and completing admission procedures to give enthusiastic students the opportunity to study in Japan.

It is hoped that Omani students who will study in Japan for two years will come to understand Japan through their studies and interactions with the local community, will nurture personal friendships, and will become lifelong bridges of international friendship between the two countries. We support upto four students every year.

Support for the University of Tokyo Global Leadership Program

Sumitomo Corporation promotes the training of future global leaders

Sumitomo Corporation is in partnership with the University of Tokyo for its GLP-GEfIL (Global Leadership Program-Global Education for Innovation and Leadership), which aims to develop capable future leaders in the international community. We have been cooperating in this university-wide undergraduate program since its launch in 2013. In 2018, we became UTokyo GLP Leading Partner through finding common ground with the program's HR development vision, which focuses on the abilities to engage in transverse collaboration and to propose innovative solutions to global issues. This has allowed us to support and engage in the program in various manners.

All GLP-GEfIL classes are taught in English, and GLP-GEfIL students are required to participate in academic programs at prestigious universities abroad at least twice during the program period. Corporate endowment is used to offer grants to overseas program participants.

As the UTokyo GLP Leading Partner, Sumitomo Corporation makes available its corporate resources to enable GLP students to come into contact with the world of work and have rich learning experiences.

Supporting the Activities of the Center on Japanese Economy and Business at Columbia Business School

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas has been supporting to the Center as the lead corporate sponsor since its inception in 1986.

The Center on Japanese Economy and Business (CJEB), a major research organization at Columbia Business School, was established in 1986 to promote good relations between Japan and the United States as well as business and economic development in the two countries, with Professor Hugh Patrick serving as its director. With a faculty consisting of leading experts in a variety of fields, CJEB has long been implementing survey and research programs to address rapidly changing global situations and offering policy recommendations when requested. In addition, CJEB proactively hosts conferences and lectures by inviting renowned speakers, and provides opportunities for joint research on global economy. The Center also annually holds a conference in Tokyo.

Professor Hugh Patrick, founder of the CJEB (left) and Kuniharu Nakamura, President of Sumitomo Corporation at that time (right)

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas has continuously supported the activities of CJEB since its establishment as the lead corporate sponsor, and actively cooperates and participates in conferences and forums held by CJEB to provide unique insights and information acquired by the Sumitomo Corporation Group in the area of global business development.

Lecture by Timothy E. Sander, Corporate Administrative Officer of Sumitomo Corporation of Americas

Supporting the Junior Philharmonic Orchestra

Promoting the activities since 1992, with the hope for healthy development of the youth

Since 1992, Sumitomo Corporation has been a major supporter of the Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. This youth orchestra consists of approximately 80 young musicians between the ages of 10 and 22 years, founded in Tokyo in 1972 by the late composer Setsuo Tsukahara, who advocated his hope of contributing to the growth of the next generation through the orchestra. Known for his valuable efforts over many years to promote classical music, the late Naozumi Yamamoto conducted performances with the orchestra. It has performed in Japan and throughout the world, including America, Europe and China, and, over the years, has become a truly advanced group of musicians, receiving high critical acclaim. Many professional musicians serve as mentors for the orchestra in support of its activities.

As a means to support the JPO, Sumitomo Corporation also holds the Sumitomo Corporation Young Symphony Concert several times a year, thereby giving more performance opportunities to members of the orchestra. Performing with professional musicians on the same stage gives a precious opportunity for the members to show the results of their daily hard work.

String quartet at the Young Symphony
Rehearsal before Performances

Assistance for High School Students in Impoverished Areas of Yunnan Province

Supporting school attendance for high school students living in the mountainous areas of poor families In China, where regional economic disparity expands

China has seen remarkable economic growth in recent years, but even now there are young people compelled to give up school due to poverty.

The Chinese government has been assigning domestic relief efforts in impoverished areas to various ministries and agencies as national projects, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been engaged in such relief efforts in Yunnan Province's Jinping and Malipo counties since 1992. Both of these counties are 99% mountainous areas lagging behind in economic development.

With few plains, farmland consists mostly of terraced rice paddies worked manually

Sumitomo Corporation has collaborated with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2008 to provide school assistance to high school students in these counties. Students from farming villages in mountainous regions must move away from home and into a dormitory to attend high school, meals and other cash expenses prove an obstacle to further education for children from impoverished households. To resolve this problem we provide financial assistance for dormitory meals and school supplies for economically disadvantaged students who have demonstrated a strong desire to learn. During the initial five years after the launch of the program, it helped a total of 1,800 students enroll in high schools, and 300 of them reportedly moved on to further education at colleges. The program supports around 300 to 400 high school students per annual today.

With teachers and students at the Malipo Ethnic Minority High School

One high school student receiving aid noted: "I thought my mother's illness would make it impossible for me to continue in school, but I've been able to continue studying thanks to this assistance." With its efforts also being well-received by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sumitomo Corporation is committed to cooperating in other future aid activities.

Letters from students detailing their school experiences

CAMP Workshop (SCSK group)

The SCSK Group upholds “Create Our Future of Dreams” as its corporate philosophy. In cooperation with a range of stakeholders, the Group has been conducting social contribution activities to solve social issues in order to help create a sustainable society.
The Group’s Children’s Art Museum & Park (CAMP) is an activity for children—the next generation of leaders. By engaging in creative, collaborative activities and presenting their work in the workshops, children find how to express themselves in their own way and expand their circle of communication.
By participating in the workshops as facilitators, Employees gain learning and fulfillment as well, which help them growth and increase their work motivation.
Since the activity’s launch in 2001, the SCSK Group has held a total of 1,199 workshops as of the end of FY2022, in which a total of 23,211 children participated.

Supporting the "Sankyu Thank You Project" in Kenya and Uganda

Supporting the “Sankyu Thank You Project”

Sumitomo Corporation supports the “Sankyu Thank You Project,” a project run by the Japanese Red Cross Society to protect the lives of infants in Southern and Eastern Africa. (“Sankyu” means “maternal leave” in Japanese.) Under the project, we aim to protect the lives of as many African mother/infant pairs as the number of babies born to our employees on maternal or child care leave. Sumitomo Corporation started endorsing the program in 2013 by making donations and visiting the supported regions.

The director of the Nairobi Office joined a mobile health clinic in Garba Tula, Kenya.

The Japanese Red Cross Society, through other Red Cross societies around the world, supports the establishment and operation of clinics and engages in public health awareness activities, including promotion of HIV and tuberculosis tests. Rather than merely providing supplies, its activities aim to change people’s mindset, establish mutual support systems in local communities, and contribute to reducing infant mortality rates. In the hope that its activities expand even further, we will continue to provide support.

Activities to Introduce Japanese Culture

Contributing to local communities by introducing traditional Japanese culture in areas where our overseas businesses are located

Sumitomo Corporation is engaged in activities to introduce traditional Japanese culture to overseas local communities where it does business. It helps its overseas businesses to establish favorable relationships respective local people.

From 2015 to the present, we have visited Myanmar, Ghana, Iran, Mexico, Cuba and the UAE to introduce Japanese culture. Our employees travelled to these countries to give demonstrations on how to do with a kimono, calligraphy and flower arrangement, and to offer hands-on workshops. They enjoyed interacting with a large number of participants through the program.

Demonstrating how to wear a kimono in Cuba

Participants experiencing traditional Japanese culture for the first time watch enthusiastically with a gleam in their eyes. The hands-on workshop is always so popular that it attracts queues of people waiting to have their turn. An employee who has long engaged in this activity remarked, “In every country I’ve visited, people showed keen interest in Japanese culture. I was impressed to see participants enjoying themselves at the events we hosted, which made me believe in the importance of the program.”

Origami workshop in UAE

Providing a Wide Range of Support Through the Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation (USA)

Since its establishment in 2004, we continue to support activities in the areas of Japan-U.S. exchange, research and education, culture and art, and social welfare.

In 2004, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) established the Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation to more clearly define the social contribution activities it promotes as a member of local communities and provide more effective support for them. Because foundations are less likely to be affected by changes in economic conditions and business performance, we can continue to contribute about US$500,000 worth of funds each year to different projects in a variety of fields, including Japan-U.S. exchange, research and education, culture and art, and social welfare, as well as disaster relief.

In the field of disaster relief, we provide financial support to the American Red Cross Society, CDC, etc. We also match donations made by SCOA employees for the recovery of disaster-affected areas.

In the area of Japan-U.S. exchange, we have been supporting the operation of “Japan Day” events since 2007. To support research and education, we make financial contributions to research programs, including studies run by the Center on Japanese Economy and Business at Columbia University. To support cultural and art activities and operations, we make donation to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History.

SCOA employees wear jeans to support Breast Cancer on Denim Day
Grant support for Rosie’s Theater Kids

Providing Donations and Supplies for Natural Disasters

In the wake of large-scale natural disasters in and outside Japan, Sumitomo Corporation provides support in the form of donations and relief supplies along with its sincere hopes for the earliest possible recovery of the affected areas.

In the event of a large natural disaster, in cooperation with our offices located in the afflicted areas, Sumitomo Corporation Group promptly gathers information about the damage caused and support needed by the areas after the occurrence of the disaster. Based on the information thus collected, Group quickly determines the details of its support, including the monetary amounts and specific recipients, and provides the support to the victims.

Recent disaster donation toward relief efforts

February 2023 Earthquake-Hit in Southeast-Turkey the amount of 12 million yen
July 2020 Torrential rain in Japan the amount of 10 million yen
February 2020 Coronavirus infection in China the amount of 10 million yen
January 2020 Bushfire-hit regions in Australia the amount of 200,000 AUD
October 2019 Typhoon Hagibis the amount of 10 million yen
September 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake the amount of 10 million yen
July 2018 Torrential rain in West Japan the amount of 10 million yen
October 2017 Hurricane-Hit Republic of Cuba the amount of 15,000 EUR

Volunteer Leave System

Having a volunteer leave system in place to encourage employees to participate in volunteer activities

In 1998, Sumitomo Corporation initiated a volunteer leave system to encourage its employees to participate in volunteer activities.

Under the system, each employee can take up to five days off per year, and by the end of fiscal 2022, a total of 200 employees had utilized the system to participate in volunteer activities, including those for natural environment conservation, local sports competitions, international exchange, and disaster relief activities.

VOICE

I have volunteered to listen to patients hospitalized in the palliative care unit of a hospital. In the unit, a medical team composed of people from various fields gives support to patients to help them mitigate their physical and psychological pain. I am working to help these patients spend their precious remaining time as comfortably as possible by sincerely listening to them and their families.
(Megumi Ito, Asset Management Dept.)

In 1992, I was living as an expatriate in Mindanao in the Philippines. I started teaching the Japanese martial art of Aikido in the hope of interacting with the local people. Thanks to the volunteer leave system, I am still able to teach Aikido in Mindanao every year on a one-week trip. I am very grateful for the system. About five years ago, the then mayor of Davao City (now the incumbent president) sent me a message to tell me that he hoped I would convey the Aikido spirit of peace and harmony to the young people of the city. I would like to continue using the volunteer leave system for this activity.
(Tadashi Nishiyama, Planning & Coordination Dept., Media & Digital Business Unit)

Americas

Aiming for a Zero Hunger through Employee Engagement

Sumitomo Corporation of America‘s volunteer activities have been tackling food security challenges across the region. In New York, our partnership with City Meals on Wheels enabled NY employees to deliver meals to elderly residents in the neighborhood ensuring that no senior citizen goes hungry over the holidays. In Chicago, our collaboration with Feeding My Starving Children focused on packing meals containing essential grains, dried vegetables, and non-perishable items, aiding children in developing countries and addressing hunger issues. The SC Brazil team partnered with CEI Irma Ildefranca, a school located in the eastern outskirts of São Paulo. They constructed a home garden and provided valuable lessons on cultivating crops, empowering teachers and young children aged 4-6 to grow their food. This initiative granted families increased autonomy in securing a sustainable food source.

ASIA & OCEANIA

Implementing Climate Change Measures through a Mangrove Tree Planting Project

Mangroves are known as ecosystems with the greatest carbon storage capacity per given area. PT Sumitomo Indonesia launched a mangrove tree planting project in July 2022, on the island of Sumbawa in the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat, with the aim of accelerating the development of sustainable eco-friendly business opportunities. In October of the same year, 16 employees of the Sumitomo Corporation Group joined 500 local volunteers to plant trees and seeds on the island.

Contribution to Local Communities in Thang Long Industrial Park in Vietnam

Contribution to Local Communities in Thang Long Industrial Park in Vietnam We have developed three industrial parks in northern Vietnam: Thang Long Industrial Parks (TLIPs). More than 230 companies operate in total, which provide for approximately 90,000 direct employment. Sumitomo Corporation, in cooperation with the Vietnamese government, is operating the Parks to ensure stable supply of infrastructure, including electricity and industrial water. The TLIPs also support tenant companies in its employee recruitment and labor affairs.
We organize annual football and marathon competitions at the Parks to promote community building and increase tenant satisfaction. Last year, we were able to hold our Japanese-style summer festivals again after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, in line with our vision to deeply root our developments within the local communities, we provide scholarships for nearby students, carry out traffic safety awareness-raising activities.
Together through our business and social activities, we will contribute to the prosperity of everyone related to the Parks as well as the sound development of local communities.

Assisting Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Supporting Recovery of the Fish Processing Industry in Kesennuma

Supporting the Kesennuma Shishiori Processing Cooperative Association to help industrial reconstruction

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami brought devastating damage to Kesennuma City in Miyagi Prefecture and to its core industry, the fish processing industry. Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation Tohoku teamed up with Mitsui to support reconstruction of the industry in collaboration with Miyagi Prefecture, Kesennuma City, and the local chambers of commerce. This coalition is helping to develop a recovery business model by assisting the Kesennuma Shishiori Processing Cooperative Association, which was formed after the earthquake.

On May 27, 2015, a new office building for the cooperative association was completed. In the ceremony for the building's completion, Sumitomo Corporation's former President & CEO Kuniharu Nakamura and many representatives from related parties gathered together to celebrate the milestone. By supporting the activities of the Association with the slogan "Share the same vision toward reconstruction," we contribute to the reconstruction of the local fish processing industry and the sustainable development of the entire community.

Participants in the new office building ceremony
New office completed (left) and the refrigerated warehouse under construction (right)

Sumitomo Corporation Follow-up Program for the Revitalization of East Japan

Supporting the organizations devoted to problem solving in the areas afflicted by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Sumitomo Corporation implemented the Sumitomo Corporation Follow-up Program for the Revitalization of East Japan over the three years from fiscal 2017 to 2019, in the hope of reconstructing the area and helping disaster victims rebuild their lives.

When the Sumitomo Corporation Youth Challenge Program for the Revitalization of East Japan (YCP) which was the predecessor of this program completed in 2016, the reconstruction of the lives of the victims was still halfway through the recovery, and the remaining issues were becoming more complicated.

Therefore, in this program, we mainly targeted NPOs that have achieved certain results in regional revitalization of disaster-stricken areas and reconstruction of the lives of disaster victims through YCP, and supported their efforts to aim for solves specialized, latent, and individualized issues. In order to create a program that can be designed to closely meet local situations and needs, we implemented a planned (interactive) grant that emphasizes in-depth dialogue with the candidates rather than public offering.

Sumitomo Corporation Youth Challenge Program for the Revitalization of East Japan

Supporting the youth who will participate in support the recovering of East Japan

Over the five years from fiscal 2012 to 2016, Sumitomo Corporation’s Sumitomo Corporation Youth Challenge Program for the Revitalization of East Japan supported young people involved in revitalizing eastern Japan in the hope of reconstructing the area and helping disaster victims rebuild their lives.

Child support activity

This program consists of two parts: the Activity and Research Subsidy and the Internship Encouragement Program. It is intended to help young participants expand both their knowledge and experience base and develop into future leaders who can play active roles in the further development of local communities and society at large.

  • "Youth" refer largely to undergraduate and graduate students aged in their late teens and 20s.
Support activity at a temporary housing facility

Activity and Research Subsidy

The Activity and Research Subsidy aids activities and research conducted by voluntary youth teams, clubs and groups or activities and research conducted independently by young people belonging to organizations such as NPOs, universities and graduate schools. Over the past five years, a total of 212 grants have been awarded.

Period of Subsidy One year
Eligible Activities Activities and research projects aimed at helping people in areas hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake to rebuild their lives and revitalize their communities.
A course: Activities and research conducted by voluntary youth teams, clubs and groups
B course: Activities and research projects proactively conducted by young people who belong to organizations such as NPOs, universities and graduate schools
Amount of Subsidy (per project) A course: 100,000 to 500,000 yen
B course: 500,000 to 3,000,000 yen

Internship Encouragement Program

The Internship Encouragement Program supports long-term youth internships at NPOs and other organizations that carry out activities in disaster-affected areas. Under this program, 74 people conducted activities at 21 NPOs located in three prefectures over the past five years.

Period of Internship Nine months
Persons Eligible for Internship Undergraduate and graduate students and vocational school students, primarily those aged in their late teens and 20s
Eligible Activities Internship at an NPO or other organization that carries out activities in disaster-affected areas
Support Provided to Interns
  • Incentive for internship:
    800 yen per working hour (up to 300 hours)
  • Transportation costs:
    Transportation costs for round-trip travel between the intern's home/school and the organization offering the internship (up to 1,000 yen one way; excluding the segment covered by a student commuter pass)
  • Training subsidies:
    Costs of books, workshop fees, and transportation related to the activities
  • Insurance:
    Accident and liability insurance

Volunteer Program for Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction

Organizing employee volunteer program, as part of the reconstruction assistance of the Great East Japan Earthquake

As part of its actions to give humanitarian aid to the afflicted areas, nearly 160 employees had participated in the volunteer program for earthquake disaster reconstruction from early August to December, 2011.

Sumitomo Corporation organized this program that supports employees who want to participate in disaster volunteer activities. It was developed after a series of consultations with local government officials and with the staff of a local social welfare council that manages a volunteer center for disaster reconstruction.

Volunteer activities in a strawberry farm in Yamamoto-cho, Miyagi prefecture

Participants in the program have taken part in activities in Yamamoto Town located at the southern end of Miyagi Prefecture. More than 600 residents of the town lost their lives in the disaster and about 80% of dwellings were damaged, of which more than half were totally destroyed. The JR Joban Line railway track was also swept away by the tsunami, making the town difficult to access from the outside. Sumitomo Corporation chose the town as the place for its volunteer program because it was in need of long-term help from volunteers.

Employees were assigned at the local volunteer center in the town, carrying out support activities that included helping to accept volunteers, allocate work to those volunteers, and disseminate helpful information through a blog. They also helped to remove debris and mud from the houses of residents that had been damaged by the disaster and to plant seedlings and thin out leaves at strawberry farms, since strawberries are a local specialty. Employees who participated in the volunteer program made the following comments.

Employees removed rubble and mud
  • When at the site, the range of needs we faced went beyond those listed in the disaster reconstruction manual and I felt it important to respond flexibly to those needs. When we asked readers of our blog to apply to work as volunteer carpenters, we received the first application within two hours, which was really impressive.
  • Initially I thought that the volunteer program might be just another initiative designed to make the participants feel virtuous, but after actually participating in it, I have found out there are some jobs that can only be done by volunteers. There was a great need for volunteers and I felt that we could make a larger contribution than I had initially thought.
  • Volunteers ranging from 15-year-old senior high school students to elderly people in their 80s participated in the activities. Some volunteers were themselves victims of the disaster. Working and sharing experiences with those volunteers was a valuable experience for me.
  • It was very painful listening to one woman who had lost her son, but I hope that talking about her son helped her to feel a bit better.