Regarding to our Telecommunications Business in Myanmar

Sumitomo Corporation Group recognizes that all our business activities are based on the respect for human rights, and has established Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Human Rights Policy, which adhere to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. All our business activities are strictly in line with the principles outlined in this policy.

In Myanmar, Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (hereinafter, “MPT“), a licensed telecommunications service provider, offers telecommunications service, we support MPT’s service operation through KDDI Summit Global Myanmar Co., Ltd., a joint venture established between KDDI and Sumitomo Corporation contribute the sustainable growth of society and the welfare of people in Myanmar.

Since the declaration of the state of emergency in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, we have diligently implemented a range of initiatives in accordance with the statement disclosed on September 29 of the same year. Especially, our commitment to respecting human rights led us to appoint international, trusted human rights consultant for an assessment on our business to check/review the possibilities of human rights impacts in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international norms and we have executed targeted actions to mitigate and prevent risks. And we reviewed the directions and actions to be taken through dialogues with various stakeholders.

The consultant recommended for us a series of actions such as to “ensure the safety of all employees,” “conduct ongoing human rights due diligence,” and “engage in dialogue with and support trusted stakeholders”, we are continuing our human rights actions in line with these recommendations. In addition, dialogues with stakeholders reaffirmed the critical importance of maintaining and securing the telecommunication network for people of Myanmar in the context of respecting human rights. After careful consideration of the multifaceted impacts of our operations, we had decided to continue our support, recognizing significance of our presence in Myanmar and our responsibility as a company that upholds international norms.

Unfortunately, we acknowledge the persistently challenging situation in Myanmar, characterized by frequent regional conflicts and all businesses in Myanmar have been placed in a difficult situation, we recognize there are many opinions regarding to business. We will continue to pursue ways to respect human rights in accordance with international human rights norms. Doing so will include adherence to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, while taking care to ensure the safety of local employees, their families, and other related parties. In addition, we will consider appropriate actions by monitoring changing situations.