Full Launch of Social Contribution Program “100SEED” Activities in Japan

Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Masayuki Hyodo) has started three activities in Japan to work on the global social contribution program 100SEED, which was upheld to mark the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s 100th anniversary.

100SEED involves social contribution activities aimed at solving educational challenges facing each region around the world in the medium to long term. Toward this goal, the employees of the Sumitomo Corporation Group (hereinafter “employees”) around the world directly communicate and actively join the local activities under the grand theme of SDGs Goal 4, “Quality Education” (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all). The three activities launched in Japan are as follows.

1. Pro Bono^*1 Support for Educational NPOs to enhance their management foundation

This activity supports the enhancement of the management foundation (business strategies, public relations, marketing, and efficient operations) for NPOs engaged in educational challenges. It effectively employs the skills and experience of the employees obtained through their business. Sumitomo Corporation has already completed support activities started in July 2020 for three NPOs, and newly launched support for another three NPOs in October.

2. Career Education Support – “Mirai School (School for the Future)”

This activity is aimed at developing the next generation of human resources who will drive the future. We send our employees to high schools to share their own experiences and views of their occupation, which provides an opportunity for students to think about their future career. Recognizing the importance of career education to enhance the social independence of the youth facing a time of change, Sumitomo Corporation started this activity in September 2020, and plans to provide lectures to 1,800 students at 13 high schools in fiscal 2020.

3. Educational Support for a Multi-cultural Symbiotic Society, cooperating with Japan Center for International Exchange

This activity supports youth with foreign roots^*2 who are living in Japan by making good use of employees’ experiences in business and life in other countries. Children and youth studying at Japanese schools who have roots in foreign countries have been rapidly increasing in number in recent years. They can often face difficulties in academic opportunities and career building, so measures to support them in local communities are required.

Sumitomo Corporation tied up with the Japan Center for International Exchange (hereinafter “JCIE”) in October 2020 and started to cope with the grantee organizations of the Supporting Youths of Diverse Roots and an Inclusive Society Program, a major grant program provided by JCIE. Sumitomo Corporation will jointly offer support for enhancing the management foundation of grantee organizations who are taking measures to help create a multi-cultural symbiotic society, as well as study support for students of Japanese language classes provided by the grantee organizations.

Overseas, even during the global COVID-19 crisis, 26 projects are in progress in 12 countries, with efforts in place to provide online activities. We are planning to launch another 17 projects in seven countries within fiscal 2020. 

Quality Education provided through 100SEED is one of the six key social issues that the Sumitomo Corporation Group is working on in “Enhancing Sustainability Management.” The Mission Statement for 100SEED^*3 is that education is the best way to produce the talent needed to solve the many social issues. Sumitomo Corporation works on various educational challenges in different regions around the world, leveraging the diverse capabilities and experience of our important management resource: human resources, and pursues to grow with the society.

*1. Pro Bono
This phrase comes from Latin “Pro Bono Publico (for public good).” It refers to an activity that support solving social challenges by offering professional skills/experiences as a volunteer.

*2. Youth with foreign roots
Children or young people whose mother, father or both parents were born outside of Japan, regardless of nationality.

*3. Mission Statement for 100SEED

◆References

1. Pro Bono Support for Educational NPOs

2. Career Education Support “Mirai School”

3. Educational Support for a Multi-cultural Symbiotic Society

◆Links

JCIE Website ”Supporting youths of Diverse Roots and an Inclusive Society”

Started “Mirai School” 100SEED career education support at Tokyo Metropolitan Nishi High School　

Global social contribution activity 100SEED toward the next 100 years (Excerpt from ESG Communication Book 2020)(PDF/525KB)

Sumitomo Corporation’s Material Issues

Sumitomo Corporation Group positions “Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society” as an important factor in developing business strategies and in the decision-making process for individual businesses. Going forward, we will pursue sustainable growth by resolving these issues through our business activities. This project especially contributes to the following material Issues.

Achieving Harmony with the Global Environment

To realize recycling-oriented society and mitigate climate change, we are working to establish frameworks for the efficient use of resources and stable supply of renewable energy. In doing so, we will achieve growth in harmony with the global environment.

Contributing to the Development of Local Communities and Industries

We steadily procure and provide goods and services to meet the needs of people in various countries and regions and contribute to developing industrial platforms. Through these means, we will create a virtuous cycle in which we can grow and develop together with local communities.

Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching Lifestyles

We strive to realize more convenient and comfortable lifestyles by providing goods and services for daily use while also responding to needs for high-quality lifestyles in order to support the physical and mental health of people around the world.

Providing Diverse “Accessibility”

We provide diverse accessibility to open up the possibility of creating new value. To this end, we will improve mobility for safe and efficient flow of people and goods, and expand the network connecting information and finance.

Developing Human Resources and Promoting Diversity

In order to create new value and innovation by allowing our diverse personnel to fully exercise their abilities in a variety of fields, we will promote the development and empowerment of human resources, which represent our most important management resources.

Enhancing Governance

We will enhance our ability to draft and implement strategies for achieving sustainable growth and to provide appropriate supervision of these strategies, all while maintaining transparency. In this manner, we will improve management efficiency and maintain sound management.