Sustainability
Material Issues
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. The eight material issues that we identified in fiscal 2020 have been updated to ten issues in January 2024, in consideration of social and business environmental changes surrounding the Group. As for the importance to the Group, issues in the major business sectors in which the Group is engaged are analyzed to determine the order of priority.
Material Issues
| Material Issues | Concept |
|---|---|
| Responsible AI | Stand at the forefront of the Information Revolution, and create new value through the utilization of responsible AI to build a more connected, empowered and joyful world. |
| Climate change | Challenge issues of global climate change through business activities of a diverse group of companies. |
| Human capital | Strive for sustainable growth by creating an internal environment in which employees, who are the source of value creation, can challenge themselves and play an active role. |
| Privacy protection & Information security | As a leader of the Information Revolution, sincerely deal with protection of information assets, and lead to realization of a safe and secure digital society. |
| Portfolio companies’ sustainability | As a strategic investment holding company, contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through investment, together with portfolio companies. |
| Corporate governance | Under the fundamental concept of “free, fair, and innovative”, strengthen governance structure ensuring transparency and effectiveness. |
| Digital inclusion | Promote the Information Revolution, strive to eliminate the digital divide to realize a world in which everyone can benefit from technology. |
| Human rights | Respect human rights for everyone in all aspects of our business activities, including those who belong to our supply chains. |
| Conservation of natural capital | As a global citizen, take serious efforts to conserve the global environment. |
| Supply chain sustainability | Pursue to build sustainable supply chains by cooperating with stakeholders in all business activities. |
Identification and Review of Material Issues
The following process is performed to identify our Material Issues. In addition, Material Issues are reviewed at least once in two years to reflect changes in social environments, the expectations of stakeholders, and changes in the business operations within each Group company.
Goals/Action plans
For the Material Issues that should be addressed with priority, we set the following goals/action plans, and will continuously monitor their progress and disclose the results.
Responsible AI
We aim for the establishment of an appropriate AI governance structure through discussions to be held in our working group.
Information regarding the working group will be disclosed on this page.
Climate change
We promote initiatives to achieve our Group target to “Achieve Carbon Neutrality by fiscal 2030.”
Human capital
We regard human resources as a source of value creation and important stakeholders for supporting our sustainable growth. Accordingly, we will continuously work on creating an internal environment in which employees can challenge themselves and play an active role while making the most of their individuality and abilities, as well as attracting autonomous and professional human resources and supporting their growth and advancement.
