The DUNLOP Group bases all of its decision-making on “Our Philosophy”, a corporate philosophy structure developed from the Sumitomo Business Philosophy, which has been passed down through the 400-year history of the Sumitomo Group. We are advancing social contribution activities.
The Group’s Sustainability Management Promotion HQ plays a central role in promoting biodiversity initiatives in an integrated manner, in cooperation with top management and other departments.
The Sumitomo Rubber Group is in the process of assessing nature-related business risks and opportunities.
We recognize that conserving endangered animals and plants involves risks and opportunities that could impact our reputation with consumers, society, and investors.
Regarding the conservation of endangered animals and plants, we foresee the following potential impacts on our business operations: loss of customers, damage to corporate image and ESG ratings, and divestment by investors and financial institutions if our efforts to preserve ecosystems are considered inadequate. To address this, we are advancing measures such as obtaining “Sustainably Managed Natural Site” certification and engaging in conservation activities for endangered species.
The targets and results are as follows.
| 2025 targets | Conservation efforts for endangered, near-threatened, and rare species at domestic bases, along with continued grants to various organizations through our CSR Fund |
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| 2026targets | Conservation efforts for endangered, near-threatened, and rare species at domestic bases, along with continued grants to various organizations through our CSR Fund |
| Medium-to long-term targets | Same as above |
In fiscal 2025, we were involved in conservation activities focused on endangered, near-threatened, and rare species (five species of animal and 15 species of plant) at all eight of its sites in Japan, consisting of factories, the Head Office, and the Tire Proving Ground., and achieved certain results at each location (as illustrated in the examples below). We will continue to promote conservation activities for rare and endangered animals and plants at our bases of operations in Japan in fiscal 2026.
At the Kakogawa Factory in Hyogo Prefecture, in addition to transplanting "Fujibakama" (thoroughwort) grown at the factory to the banks of the Kakogawa River, we also provide the plants to neighboring companies and the city. At the Ichijima Factory, we are engaged in conservation activities for the "Great Purple Emperor," Japan's national butterfly, and the endangered "Hotoke-dojo" (eight-barbel loach). We successfully achieved the emergence of Great Purple Emperor butterflies within the grounds of the Okayama Tire Test Course. Furthermore, at the GENKI Forest on Mount Rokko in Kobe, we are working to conserve and propagate the rare "Kikyo" (bellflower) plant, and we have transplanted seedlings grown from seeds collected from wild plants to the activity site.
The Sumitomo Rubber Group is carrying out creation of biotopes within its business bases so that a wide variety of organisms living in these areas may be able to build natural ecosystems unique to such areas. Five biotopes are now established in total: the Shirakawa Factory “Shirakawa no Izumi,” the Nagoya Factory “Koromo no Izumi,” the Kobe Head Office “Soso no Izumi,” the Miyazaki Factory “Kirishima no Izumi,” and the Ichijima Factory biotope. The biotopes in those regions were created by the hands of employees on their days off. With the cooperation of local residents, we preserve, nurture and return endemic plants and aquatic life to local areas.
