Social Contribution Activities of the Marubeni Group (From CSR Report 2010)
Toward a Better Society
In modern society, companies are required to develop corporate activities that balance the needs of the environment, society and the economy. At Marubeni, to meet this requirement, we are utilizing our CSR activities to strengthen and improve our coexistence with society so as to establish relationships of trust with all of our company stakeholders. In the field of social contribution, based on our "Basic Policy on Social Contribution Activities," we are responsibly engaged in linking companies and society, and making contributions that especially meet the needs of the local communities.
The Marubeni Foundation, which was established more than 30 years ago, could be described as being the first step. During these past few years, social contribution activities, such as volunteer efforts, have also been enthusiastically undertaken by individual employees. Going forward, at Marubeni, each and every executive and employee will continue to make social contributions through various activities.
Priority Activities in Fiscal 2009
- Promote the social contribution activities of Marubeni and Marubeni's group companies both in Japan and overseas
- Enrich volunteer programs in which Marubeni Group employees can participate
Fiscal 2009 in Review
During Fiscal 2009, based on the policy for social contribution activities, the Marubeni Group again conducted social contribution activities in the areas of social welfare, international exchange, community contribution, g loba l environment , and cultural support. Furthermore, since Fiscal 2005, Marubeni has provided support so that executives and employees can participate in communi ty volunteer act ivities .
Participation numbers are increasing year by year. In Fiscal 2009, 560 executives and employees took part in volunteering.
Basic Policy on Social Contribution Activities
<Basic Principle>
In the spirit of "Fairness, Innovation, and Harmony," and being aware of our responsibility as a corporate citizen in the global community, we will actively pursue social contribution activities.
<Basic Policy for Activities>
From a global perspective, we will adopt the following five priority areas: social welfare, international exchange, community contribution, global environment, and cultural support. We will also actively promote social contribution activities as a corporation, and support volunteer activities conducted by our executives and employees.
Specific Activity Policies
Based on the Basic Principle and the Basic Policy for Activities, we have established the following specific policies, and are engaged in social contribution activities across the entire Marubeni Group.
[Social Welfare]
Marubeni engages in a broad range of activities such as disaster relief, primarily through support for the Marubeni Foundation, a social welfare corporation.
[International Exchange]
Marubeni engages in contribution activities for the international community, including the exchange of people, with a focus on support through scholarships and donations overseas.
[Community Contribution]
Marubeni engages in activities centered around volunteer activities conducted by our executives and employees, such as development activities and clean-up activities in the communities in which we are based.
[Global Environment]
In addition to our concern for environmental impact in our business activities, Marubeni actively engages in support for general environmental preservation.
[Cultural Support]
In addition to our cultural contribution through the Marubeni Collection, Marubeni extensively engages in support for various cultural activities.
[Employee Support]
By planning and providing information on a range of programs, Marubeni supports volunteer activities in which employees can participate, and keeps employees informed about such activities. We also improve and expand systems required for activities, such as the Volunteer Leave System.
Donations for Areas Struck by Disaster
Marubeni provides support by way of donations to regions that have been struck by disaster. In addition to corporate donations, we called out to Marubeni executives and employees, and In Fiscal 2009, an extra 0.9 million yen was raised from individuals and donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Disaster Donations Made by Marubeni in Fiscal 2009 (Non-consolidated basis)
October 2009 Sumatra Earthquake, Indonesia / 10 million yen
January 2010 Haiti Earthquake /10 million yen
February 2010 Chile Earthquake /15 million yen
Social Contribution Activities in Japan and Overseas by Marubeni and Marubeni Group Companies
Letter of thanks received for Marubeni's social contribution "BRAVO" brand bananas
Marubeni began selling "BRAVO" brand bananas in October 2008. The bananas are a "consumer-participation" social-contribution product, whereby 1% of sales are donated to activities that support women and children who face extreme poverty or discrimination in regions such as Asia and Africa. Subsequently, the idea gained support from a broad range of consumers,
especially through Daiei and other mass retailers across Japan, and as of February 2010, total donations had reached 8.7 million yen. To mark the first anniversary of these bananas being put on the market, CARE International Japan, which manages the funds, presented Marubeni and Daiei with a letter of thanks. Furthermore, "BRAVO" brand mangos-the second product of the series-went on sale in July 2009. Marubeni hopes that the "BRAVO" brand proves helpful in raising the interest of consumers in international social contributions, and we will continue to put effort into enhancing the strength of the brand.
Other examples of support
- Cambodia: Support for the independence of women through vocational training
- Lesotho: Better diets for women and children through the spread of kitchen gardens
- Pakistan: Human resources development for the creation of an environment needed for the education of girls
Students from Toyosato Elementary School visit Marubeni's Osaka Branch
Toyosato Town in Shiga Prefecture is the birthplace of Marubeni. In 1937, Tetsujiro Furukawa, who at the time was Senior Managing Director of Marubeni Shoten, built the schoolhouse for Toyosato Elementary School at his own expense. Even today, the old school house remains. At the time, the school building was called the "white palace" and "the best school in the East."
Even after 70 years, the cultural value of the building has not faded. Further, quakeproofing and other repairs have been done, and now, it has been regenerated as an educational and welfare facility. Marubeni has also made donations, and is cooperating in the preservation and maintenance of the old school building.
In connection with this, in December 2009, 63 6th-grade students from the current Toyosato Elementary School and Hie Elementary School visited Marubeni's Osaka Branch as part of their extra-curricular studies. They experienced a videoconference with the Marubeni America Corporation's Washington D.C. Office, they toured the indoor vegetable factory inside the Osaka Branch, and they ate lunch at the staff cafeteria. We received honest feedback from the students, including such comments as "I now understand that trading companies are helpful in all of our lives."
Marubeni commended by Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education for contribution to the Long-Term Teacher Training Program
Marubeni has cooperated in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Long-Term Teacher Training Program since 2002. Each year, Marubeni has hosted a teacher from the government in the Human Resources Department so that he/she can increase his/her understanding of human resources development and the required skills and abilities in private-sector business.
In February 2010, in recognition for Marubeni's services for the past eight years, we received a commendation from the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education. Marubeni's Chief Operating Officer of the Human Resources Department, Mr. Michihiko Ota, accepted the award at a ceremony held at the Tokyo Metropolitan government offices, and made a speech on behalf of the commended businesses.
Contribution to the Opening of the Japan School of Doha
In April 2009, the Japan School of Doha was opened with the full cooperation of the Qatar government. Currently, a total of 22 students from 1st year elementary school to 3rd year junior high school are studying there. In addition to making a donation toward the establishment of the school, Marubeni has fully backed its establishment as a key member of the founding body-the Japanese Society of Qatar. In September 2009, Marubeni also donated 143 Japanese books to assist with lessons. Reflecting the enthusiasm of HH Sheikh Hamad, the Emir of Qatar, who is well versed in Japan, the school has also been opened to local Qatari children.
Support for Expo 2010 Shanghai China
Expo 2010 Shanghai China is being held in Shanghai from May 1 to October 31, 2010. The Japan Pavilion is being presented as a joint public-private exhibition with a theme of "Harmony of the Hearts, Harmony of the Skills." With the launch of the pavilion, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) sought sponsorship from various businesses, and as a result, 17 trading firms pledged support worth a total of 300 million yen. Of this, Marubeni contributed 26.67 million yen in April 2009.
3R activity at JAPAN WEEK <P.T. Marubeni Indonesia>
JAPAN WEEK ( Japan Festival ) was cohosted by the provincial government of Jakarta and the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia. At the closing event on October 11, 2009, a 3R activity was carried out, designed to promote awareness for cleaning and for the separation of trash. Under the guidance of the Japan Internat ional Cooperat ion Agency (JICA), this activity was planned by P.T. Marubeni Indonesia with the support and cooperation of Fukusuke Kogyo. As an enterprise doing business in Indonesia, the Marubeni Group conducted this activity in the hope we could contribute, even a little, to increasing environmental awareness in Indonesia. In all, about 100 volunteers participated on the day, including 26 from Marubeni, and they performed various demonstrations, such as how to separate trash.
Collection of Spoiled Postcards and Used Stamps
The Marubeni Group collects used stamps and old postcards (on which people have made mi s takes ) f rom employees, and donates them to different organizations. In Fiscal 2009, 306 postcards and about 8kg of stamps were collected. The postcards were donated to CARE International Japan, which supports the independence of women and children in Asia and Africa; and the used stamps were donated to the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning ( JOICFP) , which promotes international cooperation for health education as well as maternal and child health in developing countries.
Clothing Donation Campaign
The Marubeni Group runs a campaign to collect unwanted clothing from Marubeni Group employees and their families to assist developing countries and areas struck by disaster overseas. The collected clothing is donated to various places through the Japan Relief Clothing Center (JRCC).
Volunteer Activities by Marubeni Group Employees
The Marubeni Group believes that the experiences gained by our employees through their personal participation in volunteer activities are of significant importance in promoting CSR activities as a corporation. The Volunteer Promotion Team develops volunteer programs to convey to employees the pleasures of volunteering, and encourages their participation. The goal of these initiatives is to boost awareness for employee social contribution through volunteering, and to nurture better awareness of being a "good corporate citizen." In Fiscal 2009, a total of 345 Marubeni employees took part in 4 events organized by Marubeni: 75 employees participated in the maiden "Mt. Fuji Clean-Up Campaign," and there were also strong turnouts to the "Okutama Forest Thinning Volunteer" program, the "Arakawa Clean Aid" program, and the "Carrying the Omikoshi at the Kanda Matsuri Festival." Furthermore, starting from the induction training for new employees, Marubeni also runs hands-on social contribution cour ses for the purpose of raising awareness of social contribution. In Fiscal 2009, an instructor from the Chiyoda Volunteer Center was invited to give 160 new employees the chance to try sign language. Employees learned how to sign their names as well as greetings and expressions of thanks, and they increased their under s tanding of the hearing impaired.
Support for Activities through the Volunteer Leave System
The Marubeni Group believes that participation in volunteer activities boosts an employees' awareness of the need to contribute to society, and this also supports Marubeni's efforts to contribute to local communities as a good corporate citizen. In 2005, Marubeni introduced the Volunteer Leave System (5 days per year) as a means of supporting employees to participate in volunteer activities.
Mt. Fuji Clean-Up Campaign, a first for Marubeni volunteers
On September 5, 2009, 75 volunteer staff from the Marubeni Group, together with 26 international students and others (101 participants in total), participated in the Mt. Fuji Clean-Up Campaign, aimed at environmental protection and international exchange.
The group departed the Marubeni Head Office at 8AM, and while travelling on the bus, they were shown a video on the present state of litter on Mt. Fuji. After arriving at their destination, Lake Shoji, participants were given instructions on separating different kinds of trash before beginning the clean-up. The area cleaned up on this occasion was the site where waste was dumped illegally a few decades back, and so all kinds of litter were found, including bottles and cans with nostalgic designs. In the end, enough rubbish was collected to fill a truck. Some of the participants commented, "I was shocked when confronted with the problem of litter on Mt. Fuji" and "It was certainly a productive day. I hope to participate every year."
Okutama Forest Thinning Volunteer Program
On September 26, 2009, 47 volunteers from the Marubeni Group participated in the "Tokyo Greenship Action Program." The program, designed to help preserve the natural environment, is run collaboratively in the Ome-Kaminariki Forest Conservation Area wi th the Tokyo Met ropol i tan Government's Bureau of Environment and allows participants to try tree thinning. One of the participants commented, "By being afforded the valuable experience of cutting down a large tree, I was able to get a real feeling for the importance of forests."
Arakawa River Clean Aid Program
On November 7, 2009, in collaboration wi th Daiei , Maruet su and Cedyna, Marubeni conducted clean-up activities and water quality testing in Akigase Park, Saitama City. 51 of the 180 participants were volunteers from the Marubeni Group, and they collected 35 bagfuls of trash. The tests of the Arakawa River water quality showed that the degree of transparency had improved from last year's 55cm to a depth this year of 80cm.
Carrying the Omikoshi at the Kanda Matsuri Festival
On May 10, 2009, Marubeni volunteers carried an omikoshi (portable shrine) at the annual Kanda Matsuri Festival in Tokyo. The aim of our participation is to hand down traditional culture to future generations and to contribute to local communities. In rather hot, but fine conditions, some 950 volunteers from businesses in Ohtemachi and Marunouchi gathered to carry the omikoshi. A record number of 172 executives and employees participated from the Marubeni Group.
Chiyoda Charity Walk
10 volunteers (event staff and charity walkers ) participated in "Chiyoda Volunteer Week 2009," which was held in association with International Volunteer Day from November 29 to December 5, 2009. From the start at Nishi Kanda Park, the walk passes Yasukuni Shrine, Chidorigafuchi, the Imperial Palace, Takebashi and Ochanomizu, before finishing at the Chiyoda Volunteer Center- a journey of about 5 km. The entry fees for the charity walk (500 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school students and younger) are donated to vaccinating children living in Asia, through the NPO, Vaccines for the World's Children.
Clean-Up Activities in Local Communities
Marubeni's branches have also led in the development of volunteer activities that contribute to the community. At the Osaka Branch, employees participated in the "Clean-up Osaka" event again in 2009, tidying up the area around the office building. The Osaka City Environment Bureau promotes this event. 180 people participated from Marubeni. At the Nagoya Branch, 11 people participated in "Clean Up 2009" (a safesecure- comfortable urban development campaign), which has been organized by the Regional Development Committee of the Chubu Association of Corporate Executives since 2005. Furthermore, at the Kyushu Branch, 14 people participated in the annual cleanup activity program held in November. Participants cleaned the areas near the office, in Maizuru Park (around the site of Fukuoka Castle, Heiwadai Athletic Stadium and the Heiwadai Baseball and Sports Park).
Company Tours and Study Tours
Accepting Company Tours by Domestic Students and Adults
Marubeni act ively hosts students and adults to tour and learn about our company. During Fiscal 2009, the following students and adults toured Marubeni's workplaces:
<Students>
Wada Junior High School in Suginami-ku / Oita Hofu Junior High School /
Tokyo Metropolitan Asuka Senior High School / Bunkyo Gakuin University Girls' Senior High School /
Yasufuruichi Senior High School, Hiroshima / Tookamachi High School, Niigata /
Toyama Minami High School, Toyama / Namer ikawa High School , Toyama/
Kudan Secondary School, Chiyoda-ku Taketa High School, Oita /
Kudan Secondary School, Chiyoda-ku / Seiro Middle School, Niigata
<Adults>
Teachers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) /
Fujieda City Government, Shizuoka
Accepting Trainees from Sabanci University, Turkey
Marubeni hosted 2 students from Sabanci University-which belongs to a Turkish company, Sabanci Holdings-for about 2 weeks from July 5, 2009. This was the 2nd time for students to be hosted from this university. The 2 students listened to lectures on business operations by officers from various departments in the Tokyo Head Office. They also toured the Komatsu Techno Center in Izu, and paid a visit to the Turkish Embassy. On their days off, they spent some time with some of the younger Marubeni employees, which contributed to further strengthening the good relations between Japan and Turkey.
Accepting Trainees from Seoul National University, Korea
In November 2009, Marubeni hosted a visit by students enrolled in the Global MBA course at Seoul National University i n Korea . Expertsfrom Marubeni presented a lecture to the students on the characteristics of general trading companies, introducing them to the impact of general trading companies on Japan's economic growth as well as Marubeni's overseas market strategies and CSR/environmental activities. This was followed by a lively Q&A session. Marubeni was able to provide the students studying business administration in Korea with an invaluable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese corporations.
