Social Contributions
Basic Concept of Social Contribution
Sumitomo Electric stipulated its Basic Policies on Social Contributions in April 2007 on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of its foundation. Under the Basic Policies, we are considering the social contributions we should make and conducting concrete social contribution activities such as the establishment of the Sumitomo Electric Group CSR Foundation as a vehicle to contribute to encouragement of research and learning activities and human resource development, contributions to local communities, monetary contributions, human resource development and support of volunteer activities. We also believe that, while contributing to society through business, the Group should autonomously implement social contribution activities suitable for the Sumitomo Electric Group, which is aiming to be a "Glorious Excellent Company."
The Sumitomo Electric Group Basic Policies on Social Contributions
The Sumitomo Electric Group will proactively address voluntary social action programs, as a member of society, focusing on "respect for human resources," "attaching importance to technology" and "creating a better society and environment" in accordance with the Sumitomo Spirit and the Sumitomo Electric Group Corporate Principles, as well as widely contributing to society through its business activities, including the provision of products, technologies and services that benefit society.
The Sumitomo Electric Group shall
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globally promote efforts toward the development of human resources, the promotion of research and learning and environmental conservation,
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promote community-oriented social contribution activities in the Group's business locations all over the world, and
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provide continuous support to employees' voluntary social contributions.
Established in April 2007
Concrete Measures
1. Commitment through the Sumitomo Electric Group CSR Foundation
In April 2009, the Sumitomo Electric Group established a fund for developing human resources and supporting learning and research in Japan and overseas as a base for continuously promoting voluntary social actions. The Foundation was officially recognized as a public interest incorporated foundation by the Prime Minister in February 2010.
At present, the Foundation mainly offers monetary contributions to university courses, supports academic and research activities, and grants scholarships. Going forward, the Foundation will continue to enthusiastically develop its activities and contribute to the establishment of a rich and peaceful society for everyone．
At the time of its establishment, the Sumitomo Electric Group CSR Foundation received donations from Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. This has been followed by donations in the form of matching gift* to the Foundation (from SUMITOMO DENSETSU Co., Ltd., Sumiden Dengyo Co., Ltd., and Sumisetsu Techno Co., Ltd.) Since 2023, the Foundation has also received donations from Nissin Electric Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Riko Company Limited, and TECHNO ASSOCIE Co., Ltd., consolidating cooperation throughout the Sumitomo Electric Group.
* Matching gift system: The company concurrently donates an amount equal to the donation made by an employee in this system.
2. Contributions to Local Communities
The Sumitomo Electric Group operates in more than 40 countries and regions around the world. While respecting the culture and customs of every region and country, we are committed to various activities to support local communities with the aims of contributing to the development of local economy and society through business activities and building harmonious relations with them.
―Example of activity―
(1) Development of human resource (next generation)・Promotion of research and learning
①Holding on-site science classes at schools, Accepting internships and factory tours, etc.
②Free supply of our products and research equipment
(2) Environmental conservation
①Local cleaning activities, promotion of greening, environmental conservation activities
②Forest preservation activity, Protection and conservation of endangered species, etc.
(3) Support of sports
①Support for corporate teams and local sports teams
②Holding and sponsoring sports tournaments (including sports classes)
(4) Local contribution
①Supporting local disaster-prevention and safety activities, Providing relief supplies and donations for disaster and social welfare
②Supporting and participating in regional events, Lending our corporate facilities free of charge for public use, etc.
3. Introducing a support system for volunteer activities by employees
(1) Participation in Volunteer Activities
In April 2007, we introduced a volunteer holiday system, which allows employees to take accumulated holidays (up to 10 days per year) to participate in volunteer activities.
(2) Donations through the Welfare System
In September 2007, we adopted a system under which employees can make monetary donations through our selective welfare system (cafeteria plan) to welfare and environment-related public interest groups such as UNICEF, the Japanese Red Cross Society and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Japan. We have also adopted a matching gift system under which the company concurrently donate an amount equal to the donation made by its employee. In September 2013, we expanded the cafeteria plan to enable employees to make monetary donations through the system to the Sumitomo Electric Group CSR Foundation. We have collected donations to support the medial system to address the COVID-19 pandemic and support the restoration from the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake and other disasters.
(3) Collaboration with NPOs
We have promoted TABLE FOR TWO activities*, a program to contribute to society and support health management of our employees at our cafeterias since October 2011. Part of the proceeds is donated to help provide school meals in developing countries. In addition, we have collected PET bottle caps since March 2015 to donate profits on the sales to Japan Committee, Vaccines for World’s Children, to support them provide vaccines to children across the world.
* TABLE FOR TWO activities In this program, a low-calorie, well-balanced healthy menu is offered daily at the company cafeterias, and 20 yen is donated from the sale of each meal to TABLE FOR TWO International, an NPO.
4. Donations
Large-scale natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons, occur in Japan and abroad every year. From the standpoint that post-disaster rehabilitation is extremely important for providing relief to victims of natural disasters, we make donations through the Japanese Red Cross Society and other organizations. In addition, we make donations in various areas, including education, industrial, and academic development; R&D; art and culture; welfare; local development; environmental conservation; and sports. For example, we gave financial support to symphony orchestras and museums as part of our efforts to assist art and cultural activities, as well as important social activities such as environmental conservation by nature conservation funds and other organizations.We also support local communities neighboring our business sites and local revitalization projects to bolster local development.
Endorsing the purpose of the Japan World Exposition to be held in 2025 (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai), we have been engaged in various initiatives since FY2020 toward the event’s success.
5. Contribution to CSR Activities
In fiscal 2022, our contribution to CSR activities was 2,084 million yen, which exceeded 1% of profit after-tax (132.3 billion yen). The contribution included 730 million yen of donations made by Sumitomo Electric alone.
6 .Contribution as a member of the Sumitomo Group
The Sumitomo Group supports the Sumitomo Foundation, which subsidizes basic science and environmental research as well as projects for preserving and restoring cultural properties in Japan and abroad. Sumitomo Electric also participates actively in various social contribution activities planned and implemented by the Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee in each fiscal year.
Sumitomo Foundation
In 1991, 20 companies of the Sumitomo Group made donations and set up the Sumitomo Foundation to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Besshi Copper Mine in Shikoku, Japan. The Foundation provides grants to research and projects whose aims are to address problems that confront humanity.
Sumitomo FoundationSumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee
The Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee was established in 1958 to cultivate customer trust and develop public support for Sumitomo Group activities.
Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee
