Saison Information Systems Accelerates Sustainability Management by Donating 1% of Operating Profits to Connect Business and CSR

SAISON INFORMATION SYSTEMS CO., LTD. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Makoto Hayama; hereinafter referred to as "Saison Information Systems") has donated approximately 21.56 million yen, equivalent to approximately 1% of its operating profit for fiscal year 2022, to a total of 11 organizations in order to accelerate sustainability management toward the realization of a sustainable society. Since fiscal year 2020, the company has donated 1% of its operating profit for the previous fiscal year to non-profit organizations, but from this year onwards, the company has significantly revised its donation policy to target organizations engaged in activities related to the company's mission and materiality (important issues).

In addition to formulating its sustainability policy and materiality in March, the company has been taking concrete steps to integrate sustainability into its business, including establishing a dedicated department and a company-wide Sustainability Management Committee. At the same time, the company recognized the need for strategic contributions outside of its business to address climate change and other social issues, which urgently need to address the global funding shortage. Based on this background, the company made this donation, while maintaining independence from its business, and based on the following three themes:

1. Eliminating the digital divide for the visually impaired in line with the mission "Connect the world’s data and make it useful for everyone." (2 organizations, total of 5 million yen)

   While the development and widespread adoption of technologies that allow for easy and advanced processing continues, eliminating the digital divide (information gap) caused by the lack of access to digital devices and the internet, which are considered the entry point, has become a social issue. This donation will be used by the Japan Braille Library, a social welfare organization, to provide training to improve information access for people who have become visually impaired, purchase necessary equipment such as smartphones, PCs, and software, and strengthen the production of accessible e-books to provide information more quickly to visually impaired people. The Japan Vocational Development Center for the Visually Impaired, a social welfare organization, will also use the donation to support the acquisition of PC skills for visually impaired people in clerical employment and to update screen reader software required for tasks such as transcription.
   
   

2. In line with the materiality of "promoting value creation through diverse human resources," we have provided opportunities and livelihood support to children and women in economically disadvantaged situations (seven organizations, total of approximately 10 million yen)

   Numerous studies have pointed out that economic disparities lead to disparities in opportunities for experience, learning, and health. In response to this, we sponsor a free camp run by the public interest foundation Asunoba, which targets elementary and junior high school students who have few opportunities for experience due to economic circumstances. We also support the scholarship program run by the Japan Student Services Organization and the certified NPO Single Mothers Forum, which strengthens food support for single-parent households during the summer vacation. In collaboration with our overseas bases, we also provide operating expenses to Samaritan House in San Mateo, USA, which provides community-based poverty relief; Child Poverty Action Group in the UK and Children's Wishing Well in Singapore, which provide poverty relief focused on children; and Equitable Education Fund in Thailand, which works to create equal educational opportunities for children from poor households.
   
   

3. Supporting the safety, security, and well-being of consumers through the conservation of natural resources in accordance with the materiality of "preserving the global environment and resources and strengthening disaster prevention measures" (2 organizations, total of approximately 6.5 million yen)

   Natural resources are inseparable from our business and our lives. Especially in the IT industry, the advancement of digitalization has created environmental burdens, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the increased use of rare minerals in electronic devices. By supporting Conservation International and local communities in West Java, Indonesia, to restore biodiversity through reforestation, address disasters, and public health issues, as well as As You Sow's engagement with companies and investors toward a sustainable and equitable society, we hope to contribute to a society in which everyone can live safely and securely.
   
   

Saison Information Systems will continue to work on various initiatives towards a better future. Please see our official website for details of donations and our sustainability efforts.