Sojitz Corporation

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ISO26000

The Sojitz Group is conducting various initiatives that fulfill its social responsibility through business activities. In this section we present selected examples of our initiatives corresponding to the ISO 26000* international guidance on social responsibility.

* Guidance on social responsibility issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in November 2010. ISO 26000 identifies seven core subjects regarding social responsibility that organizations should address to maximize their contribution to sustainable development.

 

Organizational Governance

▼Communication with Stakeholders

  • The Sojitz Group engages in dialogue with outside experts on a regular basis to incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives in management. In the year ended March 31, 2014, we invited representatives from Nestlé Japan to exchange ideas on creating shared value (CSV).

▼Risk Management System for Creation of New Value

  • The Sojitz Group is exposed to a variety of risks in its global business operations. A sophisticated, responsive risk management system is therefore essential to our business competitiveness.
    Sojitz has established Controller Offices in business organization, creating a risk management framework to proactively address risks involved in new businesses.

Human Rights

▼Global Human Rights Education

  • Respect for fundamental human rights is set forth in the Sojitz Group Code of Conduct and Ethics (issued in 23 languages). We conduct training for Sojitz Group employees to deepen their understanding of the code, as well as periodic comprehensive inspections using a checklist. In the year ended March 31, 2014, we also conducted an e-learning program on business and human rights for approximately 5,000 Group employees. In addition, we held a seminar on business and human rights conducted by an outside expert.

Labor Practices

▼Promoting Diversity: Creating Inclusive Workplace Environments

  • To nurture globally minded employees who can create value with our diverse partners around the world, we have introduced an overseas practical training program and also conduct a training program for overseas executive candidates.
  • Sojitz has a variety of programs to support the advancement of women in the workplace, including training for female employees and managers. We now have two female officers: an outside auditor appointed in June 2013, and an outside director, the Company’s first, appointed in June 2014.

The Environment

▼Environmental Management

  • Sojitz takes measures to preserve the environment in its business operations. For example, we assess environmental risks when planning new investments and loans.
  • Under our ISO 14001-based environmental management system,* we conduct environment-conscious business activities and promote environment-related businesses.
    *Implemented at Sojitz Corporation and some Group companies.

▼Preserving Biodiversity

  • Sojitz became a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in the year ended March 31, 2014. The goal of the RSPO is to promote the production and use of environmentally friendly, sustainable palm oil.

Fair Operating Practices

▼Strengthening Anti-Corruption Measures

  • Regulations against corrupt practices have tightened worldwide in recent years, raising requirements for anti-corruption measures on a global level. The Sojitz Group has instituted a corporate anti-corruption policy and is moving to fi rmly establish its signifi cance throughout the Group.

Community Development
(Promoting sustainable communities through social contribution)

▼Education Support Projects in Africa

  • Sojitz has been participating in education improvement support projects for children in pre-school and primary school in Tanzania and Mozambique since the year ended March 31, 2011.

▼Reconstruction Aid after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

  • The Sojitz Group is providing reconstruction support to meet local needs.
  • Support through our business: SOFCO Seafoods Inc. processing plant in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, was damaged in the disaster. We reconstructed the plant in Kamaishi City and provide ongoing support.
  • Personal interaction: We regularly conduct on-site employee volunteer programs and hold limited-time sales at our head office in Tokyo for products from the disaster-affected regions.
  • Education support: We established the Sojitz Reconstruction and Education Fund to assist university students impacted by the disaster. The fund has provided scholarships to a total of 201 students from 2011 through the year ended March 31, 2016. In addition, we provide support for Katariba, a non-profit organization that operates an after-school program for primary and junior high school students in Otsuchi.

 

Looking Forward
▼Keeping in mind the ever-changing demands and expectations of stakeholders concerning its business activities, the Sojitz Group will continue to monitor current conditions and enhance its systems for promotion and disclosure of human rights issues and other problems that have received increasing attention in recent years.

 

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