We refrain from commenting on specific projects and companies. Instead, we will provide the following information on our general approach to respecting human rights.

With a view toward respecting internationally recognized human rights, we will continue to engage in dialogue with stakeholders and implement a series of human rights due diligence procedures required by international standards, and strive to identify, prevent, and mitigate such impacts in SMBC Group’s operations.

In cases where SMBC Group caused or contributed to an adverse impact on human rights, SMBC Group will endeavor to remedy the situation through appropriate means in order to mitigate and reverse such impact and will also work with suppliers and customers to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts directly linked to its business, products and services. SMBC Group will also monitor the status of these efforts and will provide transparent disclosure to stakeholders about this series of initiatives.

Additionally, SMBC Group has established a mechanism (Remedy and Grievance Mechanism) to receive human rights complaints from a wide variety of stakeholders in line with international standards such as the “United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”. We make efforts to engage in dialogue with various stakeholders and take appropriate actions when there are concerns…