COVID-19 has claimed many precious lives, and the virus continues to wreak havoc across the globe. On behalf of SMBC Group, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones to this terrible disease. I pray for the speedy recovery of those who have fallen ill with COVID-19 and hope that we can begin our journey back to normality in the very near future.
Countries around the world, including Japan, have implemented various initiatives aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, for example introducing stay-at-home measures, limiting/prohibiting overseas travel, and shutting down/calling for the voluntary closure of commercial facilities and factories. Such actions have had a tremendous impact on our daily lives and the economy. Many people are going about their daily lives battling feelings of uncertainty, and we are seeing governments and private sector players from around the world engage in concerted efforts to overcome this unprecedented crisis.
SMBC Group, as part of the public infrastructure that is indispensable to maintaining society's various functions, will devote our utmost efforts to ensure that each of our group companies continue to provide customers with undisrupted financial services while safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the more than 100,000 SMBC Group employees.
We will fulfill our social responsibility as a global financial group in the fight against COVID-19 by implementing initiatives that contribute to the community and to society, including donating to and sponsoring medical facilities as part of efforts to support persons in the medical sector battling on the frontlines against COVID-19 to prevent the virus from further spreading and to bring the pandemic to an end.
SMBC Group will further accelerate multifaceted and flexible initiatives so that all members of the community/society can lead their lives in safety and with peace of mind.
May 1, 2020
Director President and Group CEO
(Representative Executive Officer)