MUFG; Initiatives for Priority Areas | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group

Supporting Future generation
Disaster Relief
Support through the Activities of MUFG Employees
Initiatives to Combat the Spread of COVID-19

We have reviewed priority issues that must be tackled to help achieve environmental and social sustainability in light of our newly established Purpose, “Committed to empowering a brighter future.” with an eye to better fulfilling society’s expectations in areas where MUFG’s capabilities can be brought to bear. As a result of this review, we have freshly defined the 10 priority issues.

Priority Environmental and Social Issues MUFG Must Address

In addition to the areas we have long been working on, such as supporting future generations and disaster relief, we strive to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society in the fields where it is difficult to contribute through financial services or where there is a critical need for society, among those of the above-mentioned 10 priority issues, by proactively engaging in the activities of MUFG employees, including donations and volunteer work.

Supporting Future generation

Education

Donation to Child Support Groups

MUFG decided to donate to the following three organizations working to support children: CliniClowns Japan, a certified nonprofit organization supporting sick children, Learning for All, a nonprofit organization supporting children from poor families, and Chance for Children, an association for the same purpose as the previous one. It will provide continuous support from fiscal 2020. (180 million yen in total).

Culture Support Project: Shiki Theatre Company's "Kokorono Gekijo"

MUFG sponsors Shiki Theatre Company's countrywide project "kokorono gekijo". This project embodies the philosophy of "Through the stage, we hope to instill in the hearts of children the preciousness of life, consideration for others, the joy of mutual trust, and all the other important things in life".

In FY 2020, all scheduled performances of "kokorono gekijo" were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In FY 2021, MUFG is going to support the online distribution of the performances.

Donations to the Jibun Mirai Club

To support the next generation (children and young people) who were deprived of activity opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MUFG made a donation to the Jibun Mirai Club, an NPO that provides educational support for children. Donations will be used to run the "Global E-workshop", an online educational program, and "Project 1" (50 million yen in total).

Financial and Economic Education for Children

As part of its social contribution activities utilizing the core business expertise of a financial institution, MUFG focuses on financial and economic education for elementary, middle, and high school students. In addition to providing them with opportunities to learn about the mechanisms of finance and economics, we carefully devise the programs so that they can develop the ability to become socially independent and live their own life in the future. We have conducted visiting lectures and work experience programs for students and the cumulative total of the number of classes since 2012 has become over 3,000.

Investment Education Programs

MUFG provides working adults with seminars on life planning and asset management as one of the educational programs, designed to help each generation ind investment for building their future assets more accessible. The Group also provides a variety of educational contents, including cartoons and columns that trigger interest in asset building.

Sponsoring UNESCO School

For the development of the next generation, which is essential for the realization and maintenance of a sustainable society, the Bank works with the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan and actively supports SDGs education in schools.In fiscal 2020, financial support was provided for 79 schools as the UNESCO School SDGs Assist Project. It also contributed to the promotion of the activities of UNESCO Schools by sponsoring their National Conference and introducing SDGs initiatives of companies.

Kesennuma City: Experience Activities in River

(Environment, marine education, local heritage study)

Sports

MUFG Junior Tennis Tournament

As part of its support for the next generation, the Bank donated to the Japan Tennis Association and sponsored the MUFG Junior Tennis Tournament, a tournament that is a gateway to success for children who aspire to become professionals (5 million yen in total). The tournament was held under strict measures against the infection and had the participation of 136 children.

The MUFG Cup, a Graduation Commemoration Football Tournament

The MUFG Cup is a football tournament held every year in Tokyo, Aichi, and Osaka for sixth graders who are soon to graduate from elementary schools, with the hope that through sports they will learn to bond with their peers and appreciate the people involved. In FY 2020, the Tokyo and Aichi tournaments were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but 124 children enjoyed the football tournament in Osaka, which was held under thorough measures against the infection.

Power to Inspire Story -The Real Stories of Athletes Always Challenging Themselves-

At the fundamental level, sport provides an entertaining way for people to compete against each other in physical one-upmanship. But sport can also have a deeper impact, providing opportunities for personal growth and social transformation. Athletes have more than just fun on their minds as they entertain spectators with their physical feats; they also have broader goals and visions they hope to achieve through sport.
This “Power to Inspire Story”, inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela who lived for human equality and world peace, is the real stories of athletes always challenging themselves. Please listen to their hopeful words.

Power to Inspire Story -The Real Stories of Athletes Always Challenging Themselves-

Environment

MUFG Forest for Working Together with Customers

MUFG launched MUFG Forest project in cooperation with the Present Tree^(note1)project to plant approximately 100,000 trees in accordance with the number of new applications for and the number of switches to the online passbook^(note2) and to donate a total of 500 million yen for their growth over a ten-year period. MUFG Forest absorbs CO2 that is equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions from the electricity consumption of 10,000 households for cooling.

The Present Tree project was started by Environmental Relations, a certified NPO, in January 2005. Through this project, participants plant trees for loved ones or themselves to help reforest and revitalize local communities. MUFG is planting trees in places where forests should be created, such as forests damaged in natural disasters, former development sites, and abandoned clear-cutting sites in various parts of Japan, where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging.
The number of new applications and switches to the online passbook reached one million in November 2021, enabling 100,000 trees to be planted.

Industry-Academia Partnership with the University of Tokyo

In order to protect the future of the next generation, MUFG is collaborating with the University of Tokyo to conduct joint research on Japan's decarbonization pathway and the role of finance in realizing it. The Center for Global Commons (CGC), established by the University of Tokyo (Institute for Future Initiatives), is conducting practical research on the maintenance and management of a stable global system (global commons).

MUFG sympathizes and agrees with the activities of the CGC, which contribute to the realization of the MUFG Carbon Neutrality Declaration, and will support its activities over the next three years (300 million yen in total).

Support for Fuel Cell Bus

MUFG supported the introduction of fuel cell buses, a project subsidized by the Osaka prefectural government in preparation for Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, by using the corporate version of the Hometown Tax Donation system (53.25 million yen in total). A fuel cell bus is a bus that runs on electricity generated by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the air, which drives the motor and emits no CO2 or environmentally harmful substances during operation.

MUFG has positioned hydrogen and next-generation energies as a priority area and will continue to contribute to the establishment of a hydrogen supply chain and the realization of a sustainable society beyond that.

Disaster Relief

Providing Support through the MUFG NFUAJ East Japan Earthquake Recovery and Scholarship Fund

MUFG and the Bank, in cooperation with, the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ), established the MUFG NFUAJ East Japan Earthquake Recovery and Scholarship Fund in April 2011. For up to 15 years, the fund will be working with local schools in operating a scholarship program and holding various support projects for orphaned students (children who lost one or both of their parents as a result of the earthquake or tsunami) from elementary through high school. The fund is expected to grow to around 3 billion yen.

UNESCO Assosiated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) SDGs Assist Project (in Japanese)

Support for Disaster Caused by Heavy Rain in Kumamoto and Kagoshima Prefectures

In response to the heavy rains that hit Kumamoto and Kagoshima Prefectures in July 2020, MUFG made a donation to help the affected areas recover and rebuild as quickly as possible (5 million yen in total).

Supporting Concerts Held in Disaster-Affected Areas

Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS (NICOS) sponsors concerts by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra held in disaster-affected areas to provide moments of peace to those who have suffered disaster. As of March 2021, concerts have been held at 158 different venues, including community centers, meeting rooms of temporary housing facilities, and schools. NICOS also engages in other ingenious activities to help people experience the joy of music, such as through instrument and conductor experiences and by directing musical performances.

Support through the Activities of MUFG Employees

Supporting Employees' Activities

To support the desire on the part of their employees to contribute to society in various ways, we have instituted systems to support volunteer and donation activities.

Volunteer Leave Program and Assistance for Activity Funding

We have introduced a volunteer leave program that enables employees to participate actively in environmental contribution activities as members of society. We also provide event funding, money to purchase physical items and other financial support for employee volunteer facilities and organizations that meet certain conditions.

Support for Donation Activities

MUFG Bank Social Contribution Fund (Established 2008)

This fund gives money to organizations addressing social issues and contributing to relief funds in times of large-scale natural disaster, using funds donated by company executives and employees through deductions from their salaries each month. These funds are combined with matching contributions from MUFG Bank.
In fiscal 2020, approximately 6,500 executives and employees participated, donating 60,590,000 yen to 12 groups.

Kakehashi-Shintaku Ai-no-Kikin Fund (Established 1977)

This fund collects membership fees from Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking and affiliated company officers, employees, former employees, and their families to make donations to social welfare organizations nationwide that engage in such activities as welfare for the elderly, healthcare covered by health insurance and disaster assistance. In fiscal 2020, donating 1,400,000 yen to 14 groups.

Employee Donations Account (Opened in 2007)

Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities has an account for collecting employee donations. The company matches the funds donated by employees each year (from July through June). From its establishment through June 2021, the account has donated a total of approximately ¥6 million to two organizations.

Donations based on Employees' Ongoing Fund Raising (Established in 2011)

Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS has continued to raise funds based on employees' salary deductions since September 2011 for the purpose of supporting reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through this scheme, which also includes donations by the company, a total of 113,320,000 yen had been donated by FY2020. Currently, the company makes donations to the “UNESCO Association Scholarship for 3.11 Disaster-Stricken Children and Students”and Fukushima University (Fukushima Future Center for Regional Revitalization).

ACOM Bluebird Fund (Started in 1984)

ACOM began this fund based on employee suggestions. Donations of funds gathered via collection boxes installed Companywide and payroll deduction fundraisers include contributions to charities in times of large-scale disasters. As a general rule, the Company makes matching donations.

Activities of MUFG Employees

MUFG SOUL -Turning Passion into Power for Society-

MUFG provides funding for ideas for solving social issues that are planned by employees.

In fiscal 2020, more than 300 plans and ideas were gathered from employees, including support for children's cafeterias, which provide free or inexpensive meals to children, and nursing homes, and contributions to community revitalization, and a total of more than 2,500 people participated in social contribution activities (100 million yen in total).

We will continue to contribute to the resolution of a wider range of social issues by addressing issues from the perspective of our employees.

Global Volunteer Month "MUFG Gives Back"

Since the establishment of Global Volunteer Month in 2013, MUFG employees all over the world have been working together on initiatives to host local contribution activities. In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan was blessed with support from across the world for its reconstruction efforts. In response, and as an opportunity to express gratitude for the support Japan received, we have christened these initiatives "MUFG Gives Back", and we continue to expand our activities each year.

As a global initiative, in which employees are engaged in CSR activities together at the same time, MUFG Gives Back is one of the largest CSR initiatives among Japanese corporates, representing an opportunity for employees in their respective areas and at their respective branches to experience the impact of local philanthropy. In this section, we introduce a sample of the activities.

In fiscal 2020, we implemented the Happy Christmas Together! project in Japan. MUFG employees created 716 Christmas cards that were delivered through the CliniClowns Japan, a certified NPO, to children in pediatric wards at 49 hospitals around Japan and to children receiving treatment at home.

Participation in FIT For Charity Run

The Financial Industry in Tokyo (FIT) For Charity Run is a fun run organized as a volunteer charity event by employees at companies involved in the financial services industry. The participation fee paid by the employee and cooperation fee provided by the companies of participating runners is donated in support of “organizations that have roots in the community and implement socially significant activities, but are unable to secure funding to support their activities due to lack of recognition and other problems.”
MUFG has been participating in the event since it was held for the fifth time in 2009. In January 2020, 1,100 employees from 20 group companies participated.

Acom “Miru” Concert Monogatari

ACOM has been inviting local citizens to “Acom 'Miru' Concert Monogatari” performances all across Japan. Ever since the first performance was staged in 1994, more than 230,000 people have enjoyed upwards of 240 performances. The concerts are truly original works of art that integrate colorful silhouettes and live renditions by a piano trio (piano, violin, and cello) with narration. Moreover, the concerts are held as barrier-free events, with sign language translation provided on stage and ample wheelchair places secured in the auditorium, making it possible for everybody to have a good time.

A barrier-free concert to be felt through the eyes, ears, heart, and body

“Silhouette” and a piano trio performing “Katari” together live

Initiatives to Combat the Spread of COVID-19

FY 2020 was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are going to do whatever we can to overcome this major challenge and will make donations and provide support to prevent the spread of the infection in accordance with the needs and demands of society.

Support for Medical Professionals: 1.5 Billion Yen in Total

Donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society

To help ease the serious shortage of masks, protective clothing and other equipment at medical institutions, MUFG donated

to the Japanese Red Cross Society to support medical professionals who continue to provide care at hospitals designated as medical institutions for specified infectious diseases across the country (500 million yen in total).

Donations to the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo and Osaka University

MUFG donated to the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo and Osaka University, which are leading the way in vaccine development in Japan, in order to further support the effort to prevent the spread of the infection and support the development of medical care in Japan over the medium to long term (500 million yen in total).

#MUFG at Home / Donetion to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the All Japan Hospital Association

MUFG donated 39 yen (as "39 (San-kyu in Japanese)" sounds like "Thank you") to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the All Japan Hospital Association for each transaction made by an individual customer using the internet (Mitsubishi UFJ Direct, etc.) as a donation and support initiative we tackle with customers (500 million yen in total).

Support for Arts: 300 Million Yen in Total

Donation to the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras

Affected by the spread of COVID-19, classical music concerts were cancelled or postponed one after another. In response to the situation, MUFG donated to the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras to support the continuation of musical and artistic activities that enrich people's minds and lives. The fund will be used for the activities of the 37 member organizations (300 million yen in total).

Support for Students: 1.6 Billion Yen in Total

Donation to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and the nonprofit student support organization Ashinaga

MUFG donated 500 million yen each to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and the nonprofit student support organization Ashinaga to support children who were almost forced to give up their higher education, despite their motivation and ability, due to financial or other reasons because of the spread of COVID-19, and children who had lost their parents to illness or disaster, etc (one billion in total).

Recruitment of Survey Respondents for Students

Students whose income from part-time jobs decreased due to the spread of COVID-19 were recruited as respondents of a survey for the development and improvement of MUFG products and services. More than ten online surveys "MUFG Beta" were conducted and students were paid for their participation (200 million yen in total).

Donations to Support the Higher Education and Daily Life of International Students

Because of the spread of COVID-19, there are many highly motivated international students who are in financial dificulties due to the lack of part-time work opportunities to cover tuition and living expenses, and might be forced to give up their studies in Japan. In order to support their education and living expenses, MUFG donated 100 million yen each (400 million yen in total) to the Thai Student Association in Japan, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tokyo Japan, the Association of Filipino Students in Japan and the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals in Japan in cooperation with four of MUFG's partner banks in Southeast Asia^(note).

Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) in Thailand, Bank Danamon in Indonesia, Security Bank in the Philippines and VietinBank in Vietnam.

（As of February 2022）

Management Structure

Group Companies' Social Contribution Activities

Contribution Activities to Society