Stakeholder Relations

We hold periodic stakeholder dialogues as part of our goal to incorporate the perspectives of stakeholders with a variety of management styles.

◆March 2024

Topics of discussion	Human resource management practices for raising corporate value through integration of HR and management strategies
Outside experts	Takashi Iwamoto (Project Professor at the Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University) Hiroki Sampei (Principal at Astonering Advisor LLC) Kumiko Shirai (Counselor at BIPROGY Inc.; Senior Corporate Officer, CISO, CPO at UNIADEX, Ltd.)
Attendees from Sojitz	Directors

　

In light of Sojitz’s aim of becoming a company that constantly cultivates creates new businesses and human capital, attendees discussed how Sojitz can achieve sustainable growth and new business creation through its human resource management practices, and how best to implement its HR strategies to achieve these aims.

 

◆February 2023

Topics of discussion	Decarbonization initiatives with consideration for supply chains, strategic disclosure
Outside experts	Jun Arima (Project Professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Public Policy) Mariko Kawaguchi (Project Professor at Rikkyo University, Director at WWF Japan, Executive Advisor to CEO at Fuji Oil Holdings Inc., and External Advisor of the Sustainable Advisory Board at Asset Management One Co., Ltd.） Hiroki Sampei (Principal at Astonering Advisor LLC)
Attendees from Sojitz	Directors

　

For this year’s stakeholder dialogue, Sojitz invited a panel of outside experts who brought investor insights and offered diverse knowledge and views on decarbonization and other global sustainability-related trends. The experts shared opinions on the kinds of demands and expectations Sojitz currently faces as a general trading company amidst the constantly evolving business environment and provided advice for the company as it prepares for the next medium-term management plan. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our knowledge bases and networks as we move with speed in order to build businesses with connected value chains through our unique position as a general trading company.

 

◆February 2022

Topics of discussion	Decarbonization measures in anticipation of 2030 and best disclosure practices for non-financial information in the future
Outside experts	Hikaru Hiranuma (Senior Fellow at The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research; Member of the Sub-Committee on Energy Supply Issues, Science Council of Japan within the Cabinet Office, Committee on Supporting Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake) Tetsuo Kitagawa (Representative Director at ESG Disclosure Study Group, Emeritus Professor of Aoyama Gakuin University) Hiroki Sampei (Principal at Astonering Advisor LLC)
Attendees from Sojitz	Directors

　

Outside experts were invited to share their in-depth knowledge of the trends in decarbonization and information disclosure through a discussion of the technological innovation and business opportunities related to decarbonization as well as the best practices for information disclosure based on the various standards announced in Japan and overseas.

 

◆February 2021

* In light of current circumstances, Sojitz held the stakeholder dialogue event with rigorous measures to prevent the spread of infection and made the event accessible online in addition to in-person attendance.

Topics of discussion	Looking Ahead to 2050: Trends in Decarbonization and Social Reforms Predicted for the Coming Decade
Outside experts	Toshihiko Fujii (Visiting professor at Tama Graduate School of Business) Masako Konishi (Deputy Director of Conservation, Climate and Energy at WWF Japan) Hiroki Sampei (Head of Engagement at Fidelity International)
Attendees from Sojitz	Members of the Sustainability Committee (Committee Chair: CEO) and three outside directors.

　

We invited experts on environmental and international policies and standards and ESG investment trends to discuss the accelerating transition towards a decarbonized society. A wide range of topics were covered during the dialogue, including changes in stakeholders’ awareness, external trends such as governmental policies on energy and carbon, and the role and expectations of Sojitz as a general trading company amid constant social change.