Our Roots A history of rising to the challenge vol.11
Embracing the Spirit of "Corporate Responsibility to Society"
Development of Social Contribution Activities & Establishment of Mitsubishi Shoji & Sun

It was October 1973 when MC first established an office to oversee social and environmental affairs. The origins of MC's philanthropic activities can be traced back to a speech by President Chujiro Fujino in which he underscored the importance of making contributions to society. "As good corporate citizens, companies should actively carry out programs to contribute to society, and the expense of these programs should be borne as part of the social cost of doing business, before reaping any profits," asserted President Fujino. In 1974, MC proceeded to launch the Friendship Camp for Mothers and Children and this program continues to be highly regarded as one of MC's signature social contribution activities.

In 1979, MC began its involvement in the field of social welfare when it commenced efforts to support occupational training for people with a severe physical impairment. Meanwhile, the United Nations designated 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons and various initiatives to create job opportunities for disabled people were promoted in Japan. President Yohei Mimura, who headed the company from 1980 to 1986, directed MC to redouble its efforts. MC had already developed cooperative ties with a social welfare corporation based in Oita Prefecture called Japan Sun Industries, and together, they launched Mitsubishi Shoji & Sun as a joint venture in December 1983. The new company garnered widespread attention as a groundbreaking enterprise as it set out to open up opportunities for people with impairments in IT-related fields, including data processing, systems design and programming.

While continually striving to expand its business, MC also came to place a strong emphasis on sustaining its involvement in wide-raging social contribution activities as a leader in the field of corporate social responsibility. MC has now been conducting social contributions activities for almost 40 years through initiatives centered in the five areas of global environment, public welfare, education, culture and art, and international exchange. Notable examples include the Tropical Forest Regeneration Experimental Project, the Global Coral Reef Conservation Project and the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program. Since April 2011, MC has also been working to support recovery efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake by dispatching employee volunteers to the disaster region and providing assistance via the Mitsubishi Corporation Disaster Relief Foundation.

"Corporate Responsibility to Society" is one of the core tenets of MC's Three Corporate Principles. In the years ahead, MC will continue to carry out social contribution activities, characterized by sustained involvement and active employee participation, as one way of striving to live up to this ideal.