Sustainability Management
Our Approach to Sustainability and Management Framework
Policies and Basic Approach
Sustainability Policy
Mitsui & Co.'s corporate mission as defined in its Mission, Vision, Values (MVV) is to realize a better tomorrow for earth and for people around the world and to "Build brighter futures, everywhere." Based on the MVV, we regard sustainability initiatives as important management issues, and, in accordance with the Mitsui & Co. Group Conduct Guidelines —With Integrity, this policy and sustainability-related policies, place a strong emphasis on sustainability in our corporate management. Our Group will take on the challenge of addressing global issues and contributing to the realization of a sustainable society and economic growth through our business activities.
Identification of Materiality and Promotion of Initiatives
For the sustainable growth of both society and the company, we identify important business issues that impact the company and its stakeholders as material issues ("Materiality"). We put this policy into practice by formulating our business policies and strategies, including medium-term management plans and business plans, based on our Materiality, given that each material issue may become a significant source of both risks and opportunities in the medium to long term.
Role of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors appropriately supervises the Company's sustainability initiatives, striving to enhance the Company’s corporate value in the medium to long term. Decisions on important issues related to sustainability are subject to final approval by or report to the Board of Directors, following a review by the Sustainability Committee and Executive Committee.
Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure
We regard dialogue with stakeholders as highly important. We strive to implement appropriate disclosure of information and respond sincerely and faithfully to the trust and expectations of our stakeholders.
This policy was approved by the Board of Directors.
Formulated November 2021
Relationship of corporate policies
Corporate Mission Vision Values
Mitsui & Co. Group Conduct Guidelines—With Integrity—
Sustainability-related policies
Mitsui & Co.'s Core Values
The former Mitsui & Co.* which was established in 1876, was disbanded as part of the dissolution of Japan's zaibatsu (industrial conglomerates) shortly after the end of World War II. The current Mitsui was founded by employees of the former Mitsui that shared the values of the original company: "Challenge and Innovation," "Open-Mindedness," and "Focus on Human Resources." The Mitsui of today continues to contribute to the creation of new value for society. The way we work and the way we think are still very much based on the values espoused by Takashi Masuda, the first president of the former Mitsui, and are reflected in our stance toward our work. The principles of Mitsui's approach to sustainability as social responsibility have always reflected its founder's values, a way of thinking unchanged to this day.
* Legally speaking, there has been no continuation between the former Mitsui & Co. and the current Mitsui & Co.
"Let not short term gains tempt your mind, seek only enduring prosperity by embracing grand aspirations."
"I started Mitsui with the goal of realizing trade on a large scale, not in pursuit of money, but from the desire to work."
"Mitsui has a pool of very talented individuals. This is Mitsui's most important asset."
Takashi Masuda, the first president of the former Mitsui & Co.
Sustainability Governance and Oversight
Mitsui & Co. has established the Sustainability Committee as a subcommittee of the Executive Committee, to respond to societal expectations and demands regarding our approach and initiatives on corporate social responsibility. The Sustainability Committee is chaired by the CSO, who is the officer in charge of the Corporate Staff Units, and plans, drafts and proposes basic management policies, business activities and corporate policies and strategies relating to sustainability. In addition, the Corporate Sustainability Division leads various cross-organizational cooperation initiatives with the heads of each organization and sustainability promotion officers, and reports progress and monitoring results to the Sustainability Committee. Alongside serving as Chairperson of the Sustainability Committee, the CSO also reports on sustainability-related agenda items as a director, and chairs the Portfolio Management Committee, which formulates portfolio strategies and investment and loan policies.The Sustainability Committee and the Portfolio Management Committee collaborate to manage the portfolio with a focus on consideration for sustainability.
The Sustainability Committee is structured so that its activities are appropriately supervised by the Board of Directors, and matters discussed by the Sustainability Committee are regularly discussed and reported to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. The number of cases related to management strategy, sustainability, and governance that were discussed by or presented to the Board of Directors in the fiscal year ended March 2025 was 17 out of a total of 71 (including written resolutions/reports). In addition, to conducting regular biannual reports on activities to promote sustainability at Board of Directors meetings, the directors and corporate auditors, including external directors, also held free discussions on the theme of "Portfolio Strategy for energy Transition & Net Zero Emissions" and engaged in lively debate. Furthermore, Mitsui promotes sustainability management in collaboration with sub-committees and advisory bodies to the Executive Committee, such as the Compliance Committee.
*Sustainability Committee Details
| Areas of Responsibility of Related Corporate Staff Units |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Promotion Officers | Appointed to corporate staff divisions, business units, overseas regional business units and regional blocks, offices in Japan to plan and promote activities together with the frontline staff, for awareness and practice of sustainability management. | |
| Sub-committees and Advisory Bodies | Expected Role |
|---|---|
| Sustainability Committee | Promote the sustainability management at Mitsui, including advising the company executive management on management policies and operational activities related to Mitsui's sustainability and ensuring that these policies and activities (details is explained below). |
| Compliance Committee | With an attorney at law from outside Mitsui participating as an observer, develops, maintains, and improves the effectiveness of the compliance structure. |
| Portfolio Management Committee | Establish the corporate portfolio strategy as well as investment and finance policies, monitors Mitsui's corporate portfolios, and examine important individual proposals. |
| Information Strategy Committee | Plan company-wide information and DX strategy and determine and monitor essential policies concerning establishment of a management platform and promotion of the structure of the information strategy. |
| Diversity Committee | Make proposals regarding basic policy and the plan for diversity promotion, and formulates and implements targets set along with the plan. |
Sustainability Committee Details
| Committee Chair | Kazumasa Nakai (Senior Executive Managing Officer, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)) |
|---|---|
| Vice Chairs | Yoshiaki Takemasu (Representative Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Compliance Officer) Tetsuya Shigeta (Representative Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) |
| Members | General Counsel, the GMs of Human Resources & General Affairs Division I, Corporate Planning & Strategy Division, Investment Administrative Division, Corporate Sustainability Division, Global Controller Division, Finance Division, Investor Relations Division, Financial Management & Advisory Division II, and two Chief Operating Officers of Business Unit, each of whom shall be appointed. |
| Observers | Full-time Audit & Supervisory Board Member, the GMs of Internal Auditing Division, Business Legal Division, Integrated Digital Strategy Division, Corporate Communications Division |
| Administrative Office | Corporate Sustainability Division, Corporate Planning & Strategy Division |
The committee has the following duties.
- Develop basic policies on the company's sustainability management and fundamental plans for activities to promote sustainability.
- Review and make proposals on the company's management policies, business activities, as well as policies and strategies of corporate divisions from the perspective of sustainability.
- Present proposals on company-wide policies and actions related to environmental (climate change, circular economy, environmental pollution, natural capital, etc.), social (human rights, supply chain management, social contribution activities, etc.) or governance issue.
- Make proposals on sustainability-focused business activities (understanding risks and opportunities involved in business).
- Deliberate and establish the basic policy of the effective disclosure of information to stakeholders.
- Consider and present proposals relating to progress reviews and monitoring required for management.
- Configure and establish the internal structure for promoting sustainability management of the company.
- Identify the material issues to focus on each year for promoting sustainability management of the company and ensure progress on these.
- Respond to issues related to sustainability management, both internal and external to the company.
- Decide and report whether to support an exceptional acquisition of forests or the disposal of company owned forests, which is out of the scope of the guidelines on the acquisition of a new forest and disposal of company owned forests, based on Rules on the Management of Company Owned Forests.
Main Discussions at Sustainability Committee Meetings in the fiscal year ended March 2025
1st Meeting (April 19, 2024)
- Report and Free Discussion on Business Plan for FY March 2025 Summary, Progress toward Climate Change Targets (Scope 1 and 2, and Scope 3 Category 15)
- Deliberations on Results of Qualitative Evaluation of Environmental Factors in Performance-linked Restricted Stock Compensation
- Report on Review of Materiality
2nd Meeting (June 12, 2024)
- Free Discussion on Climate Change Targets
- Deliberations on Method of Evaluation of Environmental Factors in Performance-linked Restricted Stock Compensation
- Report on Progress of Sustainability Disclosure Project Team
3rd Meeting (September 11, 2024)
- Report on Establishment of "Rules on Human Rights Management Framework" and Policy for Future Initiatives
- Report on Policy regarding Local Sustainability Disclosures
- Report on Status of Considerations and Response to International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)
4th Meeting (October 10, 2024)
- Report on Progress toward Target of Halving Scope 1 and 2 Emissions of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
- Interim Report on Sustainability Management Promotion Activity for FY March 2025
5th Meeting (December 3, 2024)
- Deliberations on Update of Internal Carbon Pricing and Report on its Application
- Report on Policy for Natural Capital Initiatives and Deliberations on Adopting TNFD Recommendations
- Interim Report on Materiality Review
6th Meeting (February 12, 2025)
- Report on Global Sustainability Management Structure
- Deliberations on Adopting TNFD Recommendations
7th Meeting (March 7, 2025)
- Comprehensive Deliberation of Environmental Factors in Performance-linked Restricted Stock Compensation and Final Deliberation for Initial Three-year Evaluation Period
- Report and Deliberations on Materiality Review
- Report on Sustainability Management Promotion Activity for FY March 2025 and Action Plan for FY March 2026
Sustainability Advisory Board
| Members (FY Mar/2026) *Honorific titles omitted |
|
|---|
In order to address a broad range of sustainability-related issues, the Sustainability Committee decided to establish the Sustainability Advisory Board (the former Environmental & Societal Advisory Committee), made up of external experts on environmental and social themes. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, 14 consultations and exchanges of opinions were conducted on important themes in sustainability management.
Main content of consultations and exchanges of opinions and number of times conducted in the fiscal year ended March 2025
| Theme | Contents | Times conducted |
|---|---|---|
| Strengthening Internal Sustainability Management Structures and Platform |
Review of Materiality | 12 |
| Business and Human Rights | Evaluation of Sustainability-Related Data Platforms | 1 |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Status of efforts regarding stakeholder dialogue, issues and future ideals | 1 |
Initiatives
Materiality Action Plans
Each Business Unit has a Materiality Action Plan that outlines specific initiatives to address the Materiality identified by the company and manages the progress of these initiatives. The Materiality Action Plan defines the content of each Business Unit's response plans, targets, and status of initiatives based on the recognition of issues and major risks and opportunities for each Materiality. It also shows how our business activities contribute to the SDGs, and identifies the SDGs that are highly relevant to each Materiality.
By regularly managing the progress of this Materiality Action Plan, we will implement the PDCA cycle to promote our Materiality initiatives and our efforts to achieve the SDGs.
Raising Awareness on Sustainability Management
Events for awareness raising, Online Training for All Officers and Employees
We implement a variety of programs designed to encourage all employees to learn and think about sustainability and then put it into practice. In the fiscal year ended March 2025, we invited Daisuke Yamazaki, Vice President of Motherhouse Co. & Ltd, a fashion brand with the philosophy of "creating a global brand from developing countries," to hold a forum with employees on the theme of integrating and implementing sustainability into business. In addition, following the release of our "Sustainability Management e-Learning: Basic Course" last year, we introduced "Online training: Practical Course" for working-level employees, covering key sustainability themes such as climate change, natural capital, business and human rights.
We regularly hold training sessions, such as new employee and mid-career hire orientation, and line manager training, to explain our sustainability-related policies including our central Sustainability Policy, as well as our sustainable initiatives and policy-specific targets, and business and human rights. We also hold regular briefings for corporate divisions, business units, regional business units, and affiliates on the external environment related to their divisions and the sustainability management issues to be considered in the future.
In addition to our own environmental and social challenges, we also provide training on the importance of environmental and social issues within our supply chain, including our Sustainable Supply Chain Policy and related initiatives. Please refer to the following links for more information.