about What is Shaka-kachi?
- “Shaka-kachi” is the slogan of the SMBC Group’s “creating social value.”
- Today, the world is facing serious social challenges such as global warming, human rights violations, and the widening poverty and inequality.
- With our connections to customers across various regions and industries, we are uniquely positioned to lead the way in solving these issues and building a brighter future. That’s why we’ve made “creating social value” one of the main pillars of our management.
- To us, “creating social value” means tackling all kinds of social issues as part of our core business and providing added value that contributes to the sustainable growth of our customers and society. We hope to create a positive cycle of social value creation that not only involves us but also our customers and everyone in society. With this in mind, we’ve coined the phrase “Shaka-kachi” to embody our desire to engage in creating social value with warmth and positivity.
- As the economy grows, we aim to address social issues and contribute to the happiness and fulfillment of people living in that society. We are committed to pursuing “Shaka-kachi” with sincerity to achieve this “fulfilled growth.”
- Advance with Shaka-kachi spirit!
Message by Group CSuO
Message by Group CSuO
As Group CSuO, I will make every effort to ensure that SMBC Group executives and employees continue working as one to take the lead in solving social issues, and connect our action to the creation of social value and further to the enhancement of our corporate value.
Executive Officer, Group Chief Sustainability Officer (CSuO),
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
Shaka-kachi Initiatives
SMBC Group designated “Environment,” “DE&I / Human Rights,” “Poverty & Inequality,” “Declining Birthrate & Aging Population,” and “Japan’s Regrowth” as our priority issues. Through our efforts in these areas, we are committed to solving social challenges.
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Environment
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DE&I / Human Rights
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Poverty & Inequality
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Declining Birthrate & Aging Population
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Japan’s Regrowth
Environment
Goals
① Support transition to achieve a decarbonized society
② Contribute to the conservation and the restoration of natural capital
Customer’s Transition Support
SMBC Group aims to decarbonize the real economy by supporting new energy and technology such as solar, offshore wind, green hydrogen, and green steel.
We are also focusing on transition finance to financially support the transition to medium- to long-term decarbonization for customers who find it difficult to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at an early stage from a technological and economic perspective.
SMBC Forest
SMBC is a member of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan’s 30 by 30 Alliance, which aims to conserve and protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030. As part of this effort, SMBC owns approximately 220 hectares of forest in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture as “SMBC Forest” which we plan to be certified as the “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites.” We will work to realize a nature-positive and decarbonized society through initiatives such as biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and revitalization of the forestry industry.
DE&I / Human Rights
Goals
③ Realize a workplace where employees enjoy high job satisfaction
④ Respect for human rights throughout the supply chain
SMBC Group Pro Bono Work Project
The SMBC Group Pro Bono Work Project is an activity in which employees can use part of their work time to support NPOs and other organizations. SMBC Group has established a system that allows up to 20% of work time to be allocated to pro bono work, and has been working to support organizations that address poverty and inequality. * “Pro bono” is a social contribution activity that provides specialized knowledge and skills cultivated in the course of work free of charge.
DE&I as a Growth Strategy
SMBC Group aims to create a workplace and team where diverse and professional employees continue to take on challenges and feel a sense of job satisfaction. While inheriting the business spirit and culture of Mitsui and Sumitomo, which have long been described as “Mitsui is its people” and “Business is people,” the SMBC Group Human Resources Policy aims to contribute to the fulfilled growth of customers and society by allowing employees to maximize their abilities while choosing their own work styles. We are also working to revise our personnel system.
Poverty & Inequality
Goals
⑤ Break the cycle of poverty and inequality for the next generation
⑥ Contribute to financial inclusion in developing countries
Photo credit @ Natsuki Yasuda
SMBC Group Study Coupons
SMBC Group works with Chance for Children, a non-profit organization addressing educational inequality, to offer SMBC Group Study Coupons to children for economically disadvantaged families. These coupons can be used for various educational activities outside of school, such as tutoring and lessons. Additionally, SMBC Group employees are sent to help with the organization's management.
Initiatives in Emerging Asian Countries
SMBC Group is committed to financial inclusion in emerging Asian countries where a significant portion of the population does not have bank accounts. Aligned with our vision of “Driving Asia’s growth together,” we are dedicated to fostering economic development and enhancing societal well-being by offering microfinance services, promoting digital financial solutions such as mobile banking, and providing financial literacy programs.
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- Poverty & Inequality
Declining Birthrate & Aging Population
Goals
⑦ Relieve anxiety about the 100-year life era
⑧ Build user-friendly infrastructure to support a society with a declining population
Comprehensive Digital Financial Services “Olive”
SMBC and Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company offer “Olive,” a comprehensive financial service for individuals that seamlessly combines functions such as bank accounts, card payments, finance, online securities, and online insurance on an app. Based on the premise of transactions on the mobile app, we aim to provide highly convenient services that transcend the boundaries of the Group, thereby enriching the lives and livelihoods of our customers.
Combined financial and non-financial services for individuals “SMBC Elder Program”
The “SMBC Elder Program” offers personalized support for elderly individuals through dedicated concierges who assist with daily life challenges and financial consultations, enhancing the quality of life for our clients. As a platform designed to alleviate concerns in an aging society with declined birthrate, we are committed to enriching life in Japan and will continue to evolve our services.
Japan’s Regrowth
Goals
⑨ Support customers'business model transformation
⑩ Create innovation and foster new industries
Startup Ecosystem Platform “Mirai X (mirai cross)”
SMBC, SMBC Venture Capital, and SMBC Nikko Securities, in collaboration with Mirai Works, operate “Mirai X,” a platform that brings together a diverse range of players from industry, academia, government, and finance to foster collaboration and business creation with startups. We offer an acceleration program for seed and early-stage startups, as well as support programs for open innovation and business creation, in addition to various seminars and events.
Regional Revitalization Business
The SMBC Group collaborates with local governments and businesses to contribute to regional revitalization by creating new ventures and providing various financial services. For instance, SMBC Trust Bank is involved in the development and operation of the Shikoku Aquarium and the theater-style aquarium “átoa” within the Kobe Port Museum. Furthermore, Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company has partnered in a local revitalization project in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Japan, contributing to the community’s vitality through the restoration of historical buildings.
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