Materiality
To continue creating these “two types of value” in the future, Sojitz has determined 6 Materiality (Key Sustainability Issues) to focus on in our business over the medium- to long-term. Based on these issues, we are striving to integrate solutions to global environmental and social problems with our corporate activities and build systems for such integration.
Sojitz Group Statement
The Sojitz Group creates value
and prosperity
by connecting the world with
a spirit of integrity.
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Human Rights
Respect the human rights of people involved in our businesses
Sojitz respects the human rights of people involved in its businesses. This applies not only to Sojitz employees, but also to everyone affected by Sojitz‘s businesses throughout its supply chains. Should there be any instances of child labor or forced labor, we will rectify them.
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Environment
Contribute to the global environment through our businesses
Sojitz strives to preserve the environment and create businesses that are both highly competitive and environmentally friendly by pursuing environmental sustainability in its businesses. We work to minimize our environmental burden with initiatives that include preventing climate change, reducing GHG emissions, and preserving biodiversity.
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Resources
Develop, supply and use sustainable resources*
Sojitz pursues the development, supply, and use of sustainable resources. We strive to conserve resources, propose suitable energy mixes, and provide a stable supply of resources.
*Includes energy, mineral, food, water, forest, marine, and other resources -
Local Communities
Develop and grow together with local communities
Sojitz promotes businesses that grow together with local communities. We work to reduce environmental and social burdens on local communities through our businesses. Through ongoing communication with local communities, we strive to achieve business sustainability, address local problems, and support children’s education.
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Human Resources
Promote opportunities for diverse human resources and workplace diversity
The greatest business asset is a diverse workforce. We strive to build a positive work environment, to establish systems for hiring, evaluating and training employees, and to promote diversity in the workplace through active involvement of human resources with diverse values.
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Governance
Emphasize effectiveness and transparency
Sojitz strives for corporate governance and transparency by strategically linking Group activities, including compliance and efforts to achieve medium- to long-term business sustainability.
How We Set Materiality and Reflect Them in Our Strategies
Our Process for Setting Materiality
In establishing Materiality, we determined sustainability issues to prioritize by analyzing the operating environment, including the Paris Agreement and SDGs; as well as the internal environment, by considering trading company businesses and the unique characteristics of Sojitz; in order to bring to light "risks" and "opportunities" for Sojitz. Furthermore, we brought in an outside expert and held Stakeholder Dialogue, including objective analysis of the validity of these analyses. After also considering the importance to stakeholders, we then defined Key Sustainability Issues and set concrete measures for sustainability goals.
Reflecting Materiality in Our Strategies
Sojitz’s long-term sustainability vision leading up to 2050
The Sustainability Challenge, Sojitz’s long-term vision for 2050, takes a more granular approach toward defining issues among the universal issues. This vision calls on us to help achieve a decarbonized society through our business activities and to respond to human rights issues, including those within our supply chains. These two tasks have been an area of particular focus for Sojitz as of late and have formed the foundation for setting the growth strategies of Medium-Term Management Plan 2023.
Materiality
Identification of More Granular Themes
Sustainability Challenge-Long-Term Vision for 2050
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Decarbonization Initiatives
Sojitz is involved with a number of supply chains that entail the release of GHG emissions. Accordingly, the transition to a decarbonized society presents a risk to the Company.
Conversely, contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions throughout society represents an opportunity to create new businesses and an opportunity we are striving to seize. -
Respect for Human Rights within Supply Chains
Addressing human rights issues requires cooperation from all stakeholders involved in supply chains. As Sojitz engages with a number of supply chains, human rights issues are a matter of requiring ongoing attention.
Sustainability Management Promotion Cycle
In formulating its response toward these issues, Sojitz sought to develop an understanding of the risks and opportunities it faced through engagement with stakeholders. Based on this understanding, we established policies related to decarbonization, human rights, and other matters, and reflected these policies in the medium-term management plan 2023 to guide concrete action. In addition, we disclose information on these activities as appropriate in order to gain new input from stakeholders. This approach constitutes our sustainability management promotion cycle.
