Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) and the U.S. aircraft manufacturer, The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), have signed a memorandum to jointly realize sustainability in the aviation industry and to promote next-generation air mobility.

Through this memorandum, Sojitz and Boeing will partner to advance initiatives for realizing Japan’s carbon neutral target for 2050, which aligns with the international aviation industry’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Both companies will work towards expanding the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)*¹ as well as studying advanced sustainability technologies, such as electric, hybrid, hydrogen and other novel propulsion systems in order to accelerate the spread of energy sources with a lower environmental burden.

Sojitz has a close partnership with Boeing that spans over 65 years, with Sojitz serving as the sales agent for Boeing aircrafts in Japan from 1956 onward. As the world’s largest aerospace equipment manufacturer, Boeing is leading the aviation industry’s efforts towards decarbonization and developing new technologies and solutions for next-generation mobility.

 

[Left: Masayoshi Fujimoto, Sojitz president and CEO; Right: Will Shaffer, President Boeing Japan]

Additionally, Boeing has announced its plans to strengthen partnerships with Japanese companies and research institutions with the opening a research and development (R&D) facility in Japan, which will be the focus of Boeing’s research into sustainable technologies and future flight concepts. Sojitz has also begun full-scale efforts to implement initiatives under its “Sustainability Challenge,”*² which includes building upon its partnership with Boeing in aviation fields as a central focus. Under this memorandum, Sojitz will partner together with Boeing to take on joint initiatives for realizing sustainability and promoting next-generation mobility.

“We are delighted to welcome Sojitz on this journey,” said Boeing Chief Technology Officer Todd Citron. “We look forward to working together with them, our industry partners and airline customers on new technologies to achieve zero climate impact aviation under the umbrella of our new Japan Research Center.”

*1: Sustainable aviation fuel is a replacement for fossil jet fuel that was developed to curb carbon emissions.

*2: Sojitz Group aims to “create sustainable growth for both Sojitz and society by working to help achieve a decarbonized society through our business activities, and by responding to human rights issues, including those within our supply chains.” Sojitz has established this long-term sustainability vision in order to continue to "create value and prosperity" as set forth in our corporate statement, and we believe that it is our responsibility to realize a decarbonized society and respect human rights in our supply chains in order to address global environmental issues based on the Paris Agreement and sustainable development goals (SDGS).

　

Company Overview – The Boeing Company

Established	July 15th, 1916
Head Office	929 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202 USA
Representative Director	David L. Calhoun (President and Chief Executive Officer)
Main Business	Manufacture and sale of commercial aircraft and comprehensive defense systems
Website	https://www.boeing.com/

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Sojitz Corporation　Public Relations Dept.　+81－3－6871－3404