ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Masahiro Okafuji, President & CEO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) announced today that it has been selected to receive two commendations: the New Diversity Management Selection 100, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as well as the Nadeshiko Brand 2016, which is jointly hosted by the ministry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This marks the third corporate commendation that ITOCHU has received this fiscal year, after it was earlier chosen as part of the 2016 Health & Productivity Stock Selection.

Diversity Management Selection 100 started in fiscal 2012 and aims to introduce to a broader audience initiatives being implemented by outstanding companies that offer opportunities and an environment in which various types of human talent can thrive. Starting this year, as part of the New 100 Selection, new fields were added, such as those related to bringing about reform in the way people work and an expansion in the range of professions available to women. The Company was the first general trading company to receive the award, including one for an earlier version of the Diversity Management Selection 100, having been praised for its initiative to replace nighttime work with early morning work and measures aimed at promoting women over the years.

Meanwhile, Nadeshiko Brand introduces listed companies that excel in promoting success among women as attractive stocks to investors who are focused on improvements in corporate value over the medium to long term. This also started in fiscal 2012 as a framework to spur active investment. In addition to the content of the Company’s initiatives, its commitment to promoting success among women and enhanced information disclosure to investors such as through the official company website, were praised highly.

ITOCHU will continue to promote setting up an environment in which each and every employee can draw on his or her individuality.