Based on the spirit of “Sampo-yoshi” (good for the buyer, good for the seller and good for society), the ITOCHU Group not only pursues profits for our company, we also help to solve social issues, in line with the expectations and trust placed on us by our business partners, shareholders, employees and various other stakeholders. We seek to create virtuous cycles in society and also to help achieve a sustainable society. To do so, we ask each employee to voluntarily fulfill their various roles based on our Corporate Guideline of Conduct of “I am One with Infinite Missions.”

ITOCHU has developed a structure to promote sustainability based on changes in the external environment, such as by participating in the UN Global Compact since 2009. In particular, we recognize the importance of addressing climate change (contributing to a decarbonized society), which we have identified as a material issue. We are working toward the transition to a decarbonized society through a number of areas, including by declaring our support for the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), establishing an environmental policy, formulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050 as a core target of our Brand-new Deal 2023 medium-term management plan, and expanding our clean-tech business.

In the area of supply chain management, we are aiming to build a sustainable value chain to respond the issues in each of our businesses by establishing individual procurement policies in our various business fields in addition to our Sustainability Action Guidelines for Supply Chains.

For example, deforestation together with violations of the rights of small-scale farmers and poverty have become issues in the natural rubber business. Therefore, we have developed a traceability system that allows us to track the process of procuring natural rubber. This has made it possible for us to differentiate our products as those made with environmentally and socially conscious natural rubber. In this way, we are providing services that meet the needs of each industry to strengthen our value chain.

We joined the Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights (JaCER) as a regular member in 2022. JaCER provides an engagement and remedy platform in compliance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We intend to work on solving essential issues in human rights by establishing a structure to receive complaints from all our stakeholders in our supply chains.

ITOCHU Corporation’s measures to promote sustainability are overseen by the Sustainability Management Division under the leadership of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The CAO is responsible for sustainability management, including evaluating the impact our operations have on the environment and society, and also serves as chair of the Sustainability Committee. As one of our core internal committees, the Sustainability Committee deliberates and decides on important matters related to sustainability. In addition to serving as chair of the Sustainability Committee, the CAO also attends Board of Directors, HMC, and Investment Consultative Committee meetings to provide a perspective on sustainability to all　investment proposals and provide reports as necessary to the Board of Directors.

We designate an ESG officer within each division company and headquarters department to support the creation of internal systems that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through our business activities. Additionally, we promote regular dialogue with internal and external stakeholders, including through initiatives the Sustainability Advisory Board. All of this enables us to understand the expectations and demands that society has for ITOCHU Corporation, which we reflect in our sustainability activities.