Utilizing trees as a renewable resource, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous society through our diverse business portfolio.

In recent years, major earthquakes have struck many parts of the world, and there is an imminent need to build a system for rapid reconstruction of housing and day-to-day infrastructure. In Japan, an earthquake-prone country, there is a particularly urgent need to build a resilient society. In addition, as global warming progresses further, the risk of heavy rains and extreme heat is expected to increase even more in the future. The Sumitomo Forestry Group engages in a wide range of businesses centered on the sustainable material of wood. We are cultivating forests that control climate change by maintaining and managing healthy forests in Japan and overseas and supporting people's safe and secure living through the provision of high-quality housing.

Specifically, we have formulated a Long-term Vision for 2030 called Mission TREEING 2030 and are promoting businesses that help enhance the added value of trees and forests, from forest management to the distribution and manufacturing of timber and building materials, wooden constructions, and wood biomass power generation, based on the three pillars of "Accelerate the cyclical forest business," "Promote wood change," and "Standardize carbon neutral design." Under "Accelerate the cyclical forest business," as part of our efforts to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society by 2050, we have established a forest fund and are working on climate change countermeasures globally. In 2023, we launched our first fund to create high-quality carbon credits and realize the value of forests, including the maintenance of biodiversity and the conservation of water resources.

Sumitomo's Business Spirit states: "Benefit self and benefit others, private and public interests are one and the same," which means that a business can only be successful if it brings benefits not only to Sumitomo's own interests but also to the country and society. The history of the Group dates back to the procurement of timber for fuel and mining with the opening of the Besshi Copper Mine in 1691. In 1894, we formulated the "Great Afforestation Plan" to restore vegetation and regenerate the surrounding forests that had been devastated by excessive logging and smoke damage caused by copper smelting.

Sumitomo's Business Spirit, which emphasizes fairness and integrity and benefits for society, continues to be passed down in our Corporate Philosophy and Our Values more than 330 years after our founding.

The Sumitomo Group values "harmony with the public interest" based on Sumitomo's Business Spirit, and will continue to protect and pass on the spirit inherited from our predecessors. Although the future of the business environment remains uncertain, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous society by creating businesses that contribute to solving various social issues together with our stakeholders by utilizing the renewable resource of trees.