Stakeholder Relations
Sojitz Group Stakeholders
Sojitz Group is engaged in various kinds of activities all over the world. Those activities are made possible by relationships with many stakeholders.
What we value most is building trust with everyone, through business activities reflecting our awareness of stakeholders' views.
Stakeholder Dialogues
We hold periodic stakeholder dialogues as part of our goal to incorporate the perspectives of stakeholders with a variety of management styles.
March 2024
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Topics of discussion
Human resource management practices for raising corporate value through integration of HR and management strategies
Outside experts
- Takashi Iwamoto (Project Professor at the Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University)
- Hiroki Sampei (Principal at Astonering Advisor LLC)
- Kumiko Shirai (Counselor at BIPROGY Inc.; Senior Corporate Officer, CISO, CPO at UNIADEX, Ltd.)
Attendees from Sojitz
Directors
In light of Sojitz’s aim of becoming a company that constantly cultivates creates new businesses and human capital, attendees discussed how Sojitz can achieve sustainable growth and new business creation through its human resource management practices, and how best to implement its HR strategies to achieve these aims.
February 2023
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Topics of discussion
Decarbonization initiatives with consideration for supply chains, strategic disclosure
Outside experts
- Jun Arima (Project Professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Public Policy)
- Mariko Kawaguchi (Project Professor at Rikkyo University, Director at WWF Japan, Executive Advisor to CEO at Fuji Oil Holdings Inc., and External Advisor of the Sustainable Advisory Board at Asset Management One Co., Ltd.)
- Hiroki Sampei (Principal at Astonering Advisor LLC)
Attendees from Sojitz
Directors
For this year’s stakeholder dialogue, Sojitz invited a panel of outside experts who brought investor insights and offered diverse knowledge and views on decarbonization and other global sustainability-related trends. The experts shared opinions on the kinds of demands and expectations Sojitz currently faces as a general trading company amidst the constantly evolving business environment and provided advice for the company as it prepares for the next medium-term management plan. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our knowledge bases and networks as we move with speed in order to build businesses with connected value chains through our unique position as a general trading company.
February 2022
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Topics of discussion
Decarbonization measures in anticipation of 2030 and best disclosure practices for non-financial information in the future
Outside experts
- Hikaru Hiranuma (Senior Fellow at The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research; Member of the Sub-Committee on Energy Supply Issues, Science Council of Japan within the Cabinet Office, Committee on Supporting Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake)
- Tetsuo Kitagawa (Representative Director at ESG Disclosure Study Group, Emeritus Professor of Aoyama Gakuin University)
- Hiroki Sampei (Principal at Astonering Advisor LLC)
Attendees from Sojitz
Directors
Outside experts were invited to share their in-depth knowledge of the trends in decarbonization and information disclosure through a discussion of the technological innovation and business opportunities related to decarbonization as well as the best practices for information disclosure based on the various standards announced in Japan and overseas.
February 2021
- In light of current circumstances, Sojitz held the stakeholder dialogue event with rigorous measures to prevent the spread of infection and made the event accessible online in addition to in-person attendance.
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Topics of discussion
Looking Ahead to 2050: Trends in Decarbonization and Social Reforms Predicted for the Coming Decade
Outside experts
- Toshihiko Fujii (Visiting professor at Tama Graduate School of Business)
- Masako Konishi (Deputy Director of Conservation, Climate and Energy at WWF Japan)
- Hiroki Sampei (Head of Engagement at Fidelity International)
Attendees from Sojitz
Members of the Sustainability Committee (Committee Chair: CEO) and three outside directors.
We invited experts on environmental and international policies and standards and ESG investment trends to discuss the accelerating transition towards a decarbonized society. A wide range of topics were covered during the dialogue, including changes in stakeholders’ awareness, external trends such as governmental policies on energy and carbon, and the role and expectations of Sojitz as a general trading company amid constant social change.
February 2020
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Topics of discussion
External Trends Related to Decarbonization
Outside experts
- Hiroshi Komiyama (Chairman of Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. and Chairman of Platinum Society Network)
- Akitsugu Era (Managing Director of BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd.)
- Toshihide Arimura (Professor at Waseda University’s School of Political Science and Economics)
Attendees from Sojitz
Members of the Sustainability Committee (Committee Chair: CEO), and two Outside Directors
Under the theme of Decarbonization, we invited experts in environmental and international standards trends to discuss changes in the thinking of stakeholders, external trends in energy- and carbon-related policies, and Sojitz's concrete medium- to long-term plans and how we should set related targets and policies.
February 2019
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Topics of discussion
Sojitz's Sustainability Initiatives
Outside experts
- Masako Konishi (WW Japan Expert Director (Conservation & Energy))
- Saul Takahashi (Former Business and Human Rights Resource Centre Japan Representative)
- Akitsugu Era (BlackRock Japan Col., Ltd. Director)
Attendees from Sojitz
Members of the Sustainability Committee (Committee Chair: CEO)
We invited experts in the environmental, social, and governance-related fields to exchange opinions on climate change and human rights, which are the themes of Sojitz Group’s Sustainability Challenge.
Through these dialogues, we have received a variety of opinions and points to note that will help improve our sustainable company management and company value, including the necessity of understanding continuous social trends and ensuring the objectivity of our sustainability, and, based on this, the importance of commitment and disclosure from top management.
February 2018
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Topics of discussion
Sustainable Business Management
Outside experts
- Takejiro Sueyoshi (Special Advisor to the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative)
- Tsuyoshi Mizuguchi (Professor at the Takasaki City University of Economics)
- Keiichi Ushijima (EY Japan Climate Change and Sustainability Services Principal)
Attendees from Sojitz
Five members of senior management, including the president
Under the theme of Sustainable Business Management, we invited experts on international standards and trends in the environment and human rights fields to discuss and exchange opinions on business management going forward, and key sustainability issues and sustainability goals to undertake.
Past Dialogues between the CSR Committee and Stakeholders
- Titles are current as of the time the dialogue took place.
January 2014
Topics of discussion
Creating Shared Value (CSV) of Nestlé worldwide
Outside experts
- Muramoto Masaaki, Executive Officer at Nestlé Japan Ltd.
Attendees from Sojitz
Members of the Sustainability Committee (Committee Chair: CEO)
July 2012
Topics of discussion
Using CSR Management to Address Change: Instilling Personnel with the Corporate Statement
Outside experts
- Masahiko Kon, a board member at Sumitomo 3M Limited
Attendees from Sojitz
Members of the Sustainability Committee (Committee Chair: CEO)