Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) is the first Japanese company to implement an anti-bribery management system certified under the international standard ISO 37001.

ISO 37001 was established in October 2016 as the world’s first international standard specialized for anti-bribery management systems. The ISO standard establishes a framework for organizations to address bribery-related risks within their business alongside the entire value chain through the implementation of an anti-bribery management system that helps to prevent and detect bribery and instill an anti-bribery culture. ISO 37001 is garnering a great deal of attention from international societies as the new global standard for best practice for companies to manage bribery-related risks.

In 2009, Sojitz established the Sojitz Group Code of Conduct and Ethics and has since worked to further strengthen compliance throughout the Sojitz Group. In terms of anti-bribery policy, Sojitz formulated the Sojitz Group Anti-Corruption Rules in 2012 to ensure compliance with Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act, the U.S.’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK’s Bribery Act 2010. By establishing these Rules for all Group employees regarding compliance with anti-bribery regulations when conducting business in countries and regions around the world, Sojitz has worked to reinforce an anti-bribery mindset and taken a proactive approach to implementing and improving upon its anti-bribery management system. Sojitz’s continued efforts to operate and maintain a rigorous anti-bribery management system have been objectively recognized, which has led Sojitz to becoming the first Japanese company to acquire ISO 37001 certification.

Sojitz will continue to carry out anti-bribery initiatives to fulfill its responsibility as a global company while uniting together as a Group to pursue sustainable growth for the company and create a more prosperous society.