The Sumitomo Forestry Group respects the human rights of all people involved in our Group’s business operations and considers the respect for human rights a basic principle in all our activities. This thinking is rooted in Sumitomo’s Business Spirit, which places prime importance on fairness and integrity for the good of society.
The Sumitomo Forestry Group Human Rights Policy (hereinafter, this Policy) has been formulated to further clarify the Group’s thinking regarding the respect for human rights and to complement the Group’s Corporate Philosophy, Our Values, Code of Conduct, Procurement Policy and others.

1. A commitment to respect human rights

   The Sumitomo Forestry Group respects human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Societal and Cultural Rights), the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and other such international norms. The Group also complies with the United Nations' Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and all relevant laws and regulations of each of the countries it conducts business in.
   In countries and regions where there are discrepancies between domestic laws and international norms, the Group will respect and prioritize the undertaking of international norms.

2. Scope of application

   This Policy applies to all business operations of the Sumitomo Forestry Group. Furthermore, to widely apply the United Nations' Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Group asks business partners to be committed to the respect for all human rights based on an understanding of this Policy.
   This Policy includes respect for the rights of workers of business partners, and when business partners or other related parties are associated with an adverse human rights impact, the Group will require those partners or other related parties to respect and not violate human rights in accordance with this Policy.

3. Measures related to the respect for human rights

   • Human Rights Due Diligence
     The Sumitomo Forestry Group has established a human rights due diligence system, has incorporated it as a necessary process of its business operations and applies it in an ongoing manner.
     Human rights due diligence evaluates and identifies potential and actual human rights risks and takes measures to prevent or reduce those risks.
   • Relief
     If a Sumitomo Forestry Group business operation has been found to have directly caused, contributed to or encouraged an adverse human rights impact, the Group shall undertake all necessary internal and external procedures and provide appropriate remedies.
     Furthermore, the Group shall create necessary grievance mechanisms, maintain a reporting desk for internal and external access to remedies, and evaluate the effectiveness of corrective actions and remedies in an ongoing manner.
     If a business partner has been found to be directly linked to an adverse human rights impact, the Group shall work with that partner to remedy the situation. Furthermore, the Group expects business partners to establish grievance mechanisms and engage in remediation. Where necessary, the Group will cooperate with judicial and non-judicial grievance mechanisms operated by national and public authorities.
   • education
     The Sumitomo Forestry Group shall provide periodic and appropriate training for directors, employees and other parties to ensure that the Human Rights Policy is integrated into all business operations of the Sumitomo Forestry Group.
     The Group expects business partners to provide their workers with appropriate training on this Policy and will support their efforts when necessary.
   • Rightsholder/Stakeholder engagement
     In view of the seriousness of human rights violations, the Sumitomo Forestry Group shall engage in dialogue and consultation with rightsholders/stakeholders to identify potential or actual human rights risks, mitigation measures and remedies for actual incidents, as well as to monitor and evaluate its human rights efforts. The information and lessons learned will be incorporated into the human rights due diligence process.
   • Information Disclosure
     To fulfill our reporting responsibilities, we shall disclose information and provide reports in a timely manner regarding initiatives based on this Policy and our response to potential or actual human rights issues.

President and Representative Director Toshiro Mitsuyoshi

The priority issues for our Group with regard to human rights as defined by international standards are as follows:
We will review these priority issues as necessary based on changes in our group's business and social conditions. We also expect our business partners to commit to respecting human rights with regard to all issues described here.

1. Human rights issues that require respect from the perspective of international norms

<Prohibition of discrimination>

• Prohibition of all discrimination on grounds such as sex, age, nationality, ethnicity, race, place of origin, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.

<Workers' rights>

• Prohibition of Child Labor
• Prohibition of forced labor (including foreign and migrant workers)
• Anti-human trafficking
• Respect for freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
• Prevention of low-wage labor (labor below the minimum wage or living wage)
• Prevention of long working hours (respect for ILO labour standards conventions on working hours)
• Prohibition of power harassment and sexual harassment
• Ensuring occupational safety
• Ensuring the health of workers (including mental health)

<Respecting the rights of vulnerable people involved in business>

• Respect the rights of local residents in the areas where we do business
• Respect for land, natural resources and indigenous peoples’ rights*1
• Respect for women's rights*2
• Respect for children's rights*3
• Respect for minority rights
• Respect for the rights of the elderly and other people
• Respecting the rights of immigrants and refugees*4
• Consideration of the environmental rights of future generations (sustainable forest management, etc.)
• Respecting the right to access water and sanitation
• Respecting the rights of human rights defenders

*1 This includes respect for the rights set out in the Voluntary Guidelines for the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT) and the IFC Performance Standards, as well as the ILO's 1998 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
*2 Including respect for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
*3 Including respect for the Convention on the Rights of the Child
*4 Including respect for international treaties regarding the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families

<Privacy and Freedom of Expression>

• Respect for privacy, including protection of personal information of customers and employees, and digital protection
• Respect for the right to freedom of expression

2. Human rights issues identified through human rights due diligence

The Group recognizes the following human rights issues as important, as identified in its human rights due diligence, and is working to reduce the risks.

• Respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and communities
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Preventing negative impacts on the safety and health of local residents
• Prohibition of forced labor and child labor
• Creating a grievance mechanism

(As of April 2025)