Since 2009, Mitsui & Co. has supported an initiative organized by the Shanti Volunteer Association to deliver picture books to children in conflict-affected and economically disadvantaged areas across Asia where access to books is limited. As part of an employee and officer participation program, a cumulative total of 3,324 picture books has been delivered since the program began.
Held annually at our Head Office and domestic branches and offices, the program invites employees and officers to attach translation stickers in local languages to picture books published in Japan that have been enjoyed across countries, cultures, and generations. Through this process, books are transformed into editions that children can read in their native languages.
The completed books are delivered by the Shanti Volunteer Association to libraries and schools throughout Asia. In FY2025, 346 picture books were prepared and donated through the volunteer efforts of our employees and officers.

In addition, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, we held an employee exchange event centered on the theme of making picture books in foreign languages. During the event the Shanti Volunteer Association introduced the activities of the campaign to deliver picture books, and gave a lecture on the educational environment in various parts of Asia that the picture books are delivered to. In addition, Ms. Malala (pseudonym) from the organization's Afghanistan office gave an online lecture on the current situation with girls' education and employment in Afghanistan and the organization's local support activities, with the hope of raising awareness of social issues that exist in the region. Ms. Malala told the audience that while Afghan girls' educational opportunities are limited, even if they cannot go to school, reading picture books at the library helps them learn, and the experience of learning is a source of hope for Afghan girls. Event participants commented that the lecture showed the strength of people's desire to learn, even when the opportunity to learn is lost. Amid a rapidly changing global environment, it made them pay attention to Afghanistan once again. Even in a challenging environment where education is not available, libraries remain crucial places of learning, and the pursuit of knowledge is a beacon to the future.