Why Focus on Education Now? Sumitomo Corporation’s Social Contribution Activity Program "100SEED" and Its Ongoing Activities

First, could you tell us about the background behind the launch of "100SEED" and its activities?

Wadama In 2019, Sumitomo Corporation celebrated 100 years since the company’s founding. Looking ahead to the next 100 years, the company decided to launch 100SEED as a global initiative to address social challenges. After discussions among employees, the consensus was that education is the foundation for solving all social issues, and the theme of our program became the SDGs Goal 4: "Quality Education for All." The activities are planned and managed by individual Sumitomo Group organizations, taking into account the social issues faced in their respective regions.

Nagano Some might wonder why Sumitomo Corporation is focusing on education. But among its employees, this doesn’t seem strange at all. One reason is "Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy" at the core of Sumitomo Corporation passed down for over 400 years since the Sumitomo's origins in the 17th century. We have a long history of confronting social issues directly and catalyzing business development through those challenges. This spirit has taken root among employees, which is why we have come to believe that to shape the next 100 years, we must focus on nurturing and educating the people essential across all fields of business.

I understand that 100SEED activities differ from country to country. What activities are conducted, for instance?

Could you tell us more about "Mirai School," one of your expanding initiatives in Japan?

Wadama We ask the employee lecturers to emphasize what’s most important in this rapidly shifting era through their lessons and how school life connects to work. Using tools such as "Life Graph," employees share their experiences from school to the present, not only highlighting successes but also openly discussing failures. We hope this can inspire students to think about their future.

Nagano For example, I talk about my experience of wanting to become a soccer player and entering a prestigious school known for its strong team, surrounded by highly skilled players, I felt completely out of my depth and faced setbacks. What helped me overcome that was the support of my fellows. A high school student asked me, "How do you build a team?" I told them, "If you stay positive and look like you’re enjoying yourself anytime, even in tough time, people will naturally gather around you. So, don’t be discouraged and try to have fun." Later, I was thrilled to receive feedback that my thoughts resonated. The student reportedly said, "If I ever find myself struggling, I will try to remember to enjoy myself, first and foremost."

Why do the activities of 100SEED, initially launched to mark Sumitomo Corporation's first 100 years, continue to expand?

Wadama Fortunately, we have received a great number of applications from schools for Mirai School, and many employees want to participate as lecturers. 100SEED is expanding steadily, not just Mirai School in Japan but other initiatives globally. The reason that 100SEED’s activities continue to grow is because we are addressing real social needs. Employees who participate in these activities feel they are truly making a difference for the future. This is a long-term initiative in line with Sumitomo Corporation Group’s goal of "Develop human resources who will drive the future by providing quality education."

Finally, what are the prospects and goals for 100SEED?

Wadama From my own experience, I’ve come to realize that 100SEED is a social contribution program that truly embodies the idea of "Enriching lives and the world." Employees who participate in the program not only help children, but also learn and bring positive influences back to their colleagues. This provides a rare opportunity for social contribution in the field of education and leads to personal growth. We continue to plan and organize events that provide more employees with the chance to participate.

For example, we invite lecturers who are experts in social issues related to education to hold online seminars where employees can contribute ideas for solving these challenges. This format has been well received because even busy employees can participate. Since the program began, we’ve implemented a system where employees can dedicate up to 100 work hours annually to 100SEED activities. We want to continue creating systems and environments that make it easier for employees to participate.

Nagano Today, corporate activities focused not just on business, but on coexistence with society, have become closely interwoven with our business. Sumitomo Corporation’s business has always operated with the belief that "all stakeholders are partners," as opposed to separate buyer and seller entities. It’s not just about pursuing business profits, but also about solving the challenges faced by the countries and regions where we operate. This approach, which offers comprehensive solutions, is something we are recognized for.

In fact, when I spoke about 100SEED during business trips abroad, I was told, "It’s exactly because Sumitomo Corporation is involved in such activities that we want to work with you." The significance of these activities in terms of business is huge, and I believe it’s increasingly important to foster participation in 100SEED across the company. I hope that through this program, Sumitomo Corporation will continue to become an indispensable partner for both society and our stakeholders.