Sustainability

Our Approach to Sustainability

Sustainability Vision

“Help shape the next 300 years for our future generations and the planet”

SoftBank Group’s philosophy, “Information Revolution - Happiness for everyone” embodies our determination to bring happiness to everyone, even to future generations 300 years from now. To create a world where people can live in harmony with the earth, the SoftBank Group will fulfill our responsibility as leader in the Information Revolution to realize a sustainable society.

Sustainability Principles

SoftBank Group Corp. has established “The SoftBank Group Sustainability Principles” as a guideline for the Group's sustainability, so as to achieve sustainable growth by meeting the expectations of shareholders, creditors, customers, business partners, employees, local communities, and all other stakeholders.

Based on these principles, we identify material issues relating to sustainability (”Material Issues”) reflecting the business characteristics and social demands of each Group company.

Material Issues relating to Sustainability

Based on our view of double materiality, SoftBank Group Corp. classifies issues to be addressed from two perspectives: the importance to stakeholders and to the Group. Among these issues, we identify material issues relating to sustainability (”Material Issues”) that should be addressed with priority, determined by the Board of Directors.

Sustainability Governance and Risk Management

Sustainability Governance

Sustainability Governance Structure

The Board of Directors of SoftBank Group Corp. has appointed the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSusO), who is responsible for the promotion of Group-wide sustainability, and established the Sustainability Committee for the purpose of promotion of the sustainability-related activities of the Group. The Sustainability Committee continuously discusses overall policies such as the sustainability vision and basic policies, policies of individual activities such as sustainability-related issues, goal setting, and information disclosure, as well as sustainability promotion systems and operation policies. The Committee is chaired by the CSusO (head of Investor Relations Department & head of Sustainability Department) and composed of three members including Board Director, Corporate Officer, Senior Vice President, CFO & CISO (head of Finance Unit & head of Administration Unit); Corporate Officer, Senior Vice President (head of Accounting Unit); and Corporate Officer, CLO & GCO (head of Legal Unit). The CSusO reports the details of discussions of the Sustainability Committee to the Board of Directors for supervision.

Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee of SoftBank Group Corp. was established in June 2020 and schedules meetings on a flexible quarterly basis. In addition to the Committee members, the heads of relevant departments attend the meetings to engage in cross-functional discussions based on specialized knowledge and multiple perspectives.

The Committee met three times in fiscal 2023 (April, October, and December). The discussions involved a variety of matters such as reviewing material issues relating to sustainability (”Material Issues”), integrating ESG factors into the investment process, developing an approach to responsible AI, advancing mandated non-financial information disclosure, and responding to climate change.

Committee Members

As of March 31, 2024

ChairpersonYotaro Agari (CSusO, Head of Investor Relations Department & Head of Sustainability Department)
Other MembersYoshimitsu Goto (Board Director, Corporate Officer, Senior Vice President, CFO & CISO, Head of Finance Unit, Head of Administration Unit)
Kazuko Kimiwada (Corporate Officer, Senior Vice President, Head of Accounting Unit)
Tim Mackey (Corporate Officer, CLO & GCO, Head of Legal Unit)
Main Discussion Matters in FY2023
    • Reviewing Material Issues
    • Developing an approach to responsible AI
    • Integrating ESG factors into the investment process
    • Advancing mandated non-financial information disclosure
    • Responding to climate change
    • Addressing human rights risks
    • Strengthening sustainability information disclosure
    • Establishing sustainability-related Group policies

Sustainability Risk Management

At SoftBank Group Corp. (“SBG”), the Risk Management Office is responsible for the integrated management of Group-wide risks in accordance with the “Risk Management Policy”.
As for sustainability-related risks, the Sustainability Department under the CSusO collects information through reports from major Group companies and each department of SBG, and identifies risks taking into account discussions in the Sustainability Committee. In addition, the Sustainability Department reports the identified risks, countermeasures, and their status to the Risk Management Office under the framework of the Group-wide risk management process referenced above.

The Risk Management Office analyzes and assesses various risks including sustainability and their countermeasures. For material risks that could have a significant impact on the sustainable growth of the Group, the Risk Management Office collaborates with the parties involved in each risk in order to consider countermeasures and monitor the effectiveness of such countermeasures. Material risks and the status of countermeasures are reported to and discussed by the Board of Directors and the Group Risk and Compliance Committee (GRCC) that consists of the Board Director and the Corporate Officers of SBG. Based on the results of discussions, the Risk Management Office strives to strengthen the Group’s risk management system.

Sustainability Governance and Risk Management Structure

A Sustainability Governance and Risk Management Structure chart.The Sustainability Committee (Chairperson: Chief Sustainability Officer (CSusO)) reports to the Board of Directors of SoftBank Group Corp. and is supervised by the Board. The Sustainability Committee continuously discusses and addresses sustainability-related issues and response policies. The Sustainability Department promotes sustainability-related activities. Each department of SoftBank Group Corp. and each group company reports to and cooperates with the Sustainability Department, which manages and supports them. The Risk Management Office, under the Chief Risk Officer (CRO), reports to the Group Risk & Compliance Committee (GRCC) and is supervised by the Committee. Furthermore, the GRCC reports to the Board of Directors of SoftBank Group Corp. and is supervised by the Board. Additionally, each department of SoftBank Group Corp., including the Sustainability Department and each group company, reports to and cooperates with the Risk Management Office, which manages and supports them. The Risk Management Office also reports to the Board of Directors under the CRO and is supervised by the Board.

Initiatives for the SDGs

SoftBank Group Corp. aims to realize a society where people all over the world can live happily and prosperously. Together with the Group companies that conduct business globally, we will work to contribute to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing the six activity themes identified in our Sustainability Principles.