Social Contribution Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic
There are over 400 Sojitz Group companies all over the world. During the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, Sojitz is making social contributions aimed at addressing the needs of every region in which it conducts business.
Main Activities
In-House Fund-Raising Activities Conducted During Workplace Vaccinations
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Beginning in June 2021, Sojitz Group held an in-house fundraiser to support COVID-19 emergency response efforts during its workplace vaccination period by placing collection boxes at its vaccination sites at both Tokyo HQ and the Kansai Office. The company also created a special website through which Sojitz Group members could donate.
Fundraising concluded with Sojitz receiving JPY 990,957 in total from Sojitz Group members. Sojitz matched the amount contributed by employees to make a total donation of JPY 1,981,914 to NPO Japan Platform’s (JPF) COVID-19 Emergency Response Program.
Admitting Patients to Hospital in Turkey
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In May 2020, Sojitz opened and began operating the 2,682-bed Basaksehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Due to the spread of COVID-19 infections in the region, the scheduled opening date was moved up by four months, and the facility partially opened in April before the official opening date in order to accept COVID-19 patients. This hospital is the largest hospital project in the world undertaken by a Japanese company, and at the opening ceremony, Turkish President Erdogan expressed his expectation that the hospital would play an important role in combating the pandemic in Turkey.
Manufacture and Sale of Washable Masks by Daiichibo Co., Ltd.
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Daiichibo Co., Ltd., a Sojitz Group company, develops and manufactures high-quality and highly functional fabrics in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture. In April 2020, in order to respond to the shortage of masks in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Daiichibo began production and sales of washable masks by leveraging their cutting-edge technology and by cooperating with partner companies in China. The company has donated the washable masks to local schools and other facilities in Arao City, with many students wearing the masks the day after receiving them.
In-House Sale of Miyakojima Mangos
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Sojitz is an investor in Shimojishima Airport Management Co., Ltd., a project company that operates Shimojishima Airport on Shimojishima Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number of airport users and tourists visiting the island has dropped dramatically, and there was concern that this would have a major impact on local farmers who face a limited amount of time in which to ship mangos, a local specialty. Sojitz procured mangos from local mango growers, including those who supply mangos to shops at the airport, and organized an in-house sale of the mangos to employees at Sojitz’s head office.
Nasu Garden Outlet Holds Event in Support of Local Community
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Sojitz Commerce Development Corporation operates Nasu Garden Outlet in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. The number of visitors to the hot springs in Nasu has decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has negatively impacted sales of the area’s highland vegetables and other produce. With an eye towards revitalizing the region, the outlet offered two liters of natural Shiobara hot spring water to customers and opened a Loco Style Mart drive-through vegetable stand to sell local produce to customers who reserved their items beforehand.
Hyundai Thailand Donates Medical Supplies
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In 2007, Sojitz established Hyundai Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Hyundai Thailand) to engage in sales of Hyundai brand vehicles in Thailand and build dealer networks throughout the country. In May 2020, Hyundai Thailand, in cooperation with Hyundai Corporation’s head office, donated 4,000 sets of PPE and face shields to medical facilities in Prawet District, Bangkok, where its manufacturing and engineering facilities are located. In addition, Hyundai Thailand also singlehandedly donated face shields assembled by its engineering department to the facilities.
Sojitz Foundation Awards Scholarships to an Additional Three International Students
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Sojitz Foundation provides scholarships to around 20 international students studying in Japan every year. This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation has established a “COVID-19 Pandemic Special Scholarship" through which it will award scholarships to an additional three students. The foundation will now provide scholarships to 24 students (3 more than the 21 students originally slated to receive support) for up to two years.
Beyond these activities, Sojitz Group is undertaking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and resolve issues in local communities in Japan and around the world.