We are holding dialogues with various stakeholders to further enhance the CSR of the Suntory Group as it works toward realizing a sustainable society.
April 11, 2011
Suntory World Headquarters (Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
In April 2011, we extended an invitation to hear again this year from Mr. Riichiro Oda, a specialist in the fields of global environment and biodiversity. As part of his report on the progress of the Suntory Group's water resource cultivation activities, he kindly shared his opinions with us.
Aiming toward Broader "Water Sustainability"
Riichiro Oda, CEO, Change Agent, Inc
• Profile
From 2002, Mr. Oda has been involved in the administration as well as the planning and operation of event projects in his role as the General Manager of Japan for Sustainability. In 2005, he established Change Agent, Inc., which provides consultations to companies on how to pursue their social missions and to NGOs on businesses management assistance.
The Suntory Group's water resource cultivation activities are very cutting-edge among Japanese companies. In the midst of what is being labeled "Japan's forestry in ruins," Suntory is figuring out what that situation is, as well as taking countermeasures through forestry improvement activities. We can also appreciate this from the viewpoint the company must take to conduct business, that to protect water, we must nurture the forests that nurture the water, and specifically that the core of these activities are tightly bound to Suntory's business.
In addition to these activities, Suntory is working closely with external experts and specialists, placing a clear emphasis on moving in the direction of regional activities as closely as possible. In-house development departments are tasked with promoting scientific research and evaluating Suntory's business advancement and water resource cultivation activities, as well as promoting community conscious activities that place emphasis on consensus building. As can be seen from Suntory's building of strip roads, for example, their developing of human resources for appropriate care of local areas and their developing of activities for our own forests as well as those of others will likely expand greatly with a further increase in human resources assigned to such activities.
In times to come, we hope that Suntory will strive to expand its water sustainability measures, which in connection with its business activities should go beyond water resource cultivation and be applied to the entire life cycle. One example is the water footprint in the acquisition of raw materials.
I look forward to seeing Suntory's efforts toward constructing a three pillar infrastructure—which takes into account philosophy, content, and practice—being smoothly put into practice, while effectively conveying the meaning and positioning of the phrase "Bringing Water to Life" and what Suntory must do to realize this.
Suntory's Response
Kenji Naiki, Executive General Manager,
Environmental Sustainability Strategy Department, Suntory Holdings Limited
We have had consistent results from our water resource cultivation efforts and we are continuing to move closer to our goals in Japan. We have also reached the stage of being able to release our research on functional improvements in water resource cultivation for forestry outside of the company. Life cycle measures, starting with ingredients, and efforts abroad are certainly the next stages to move on to. In the future, as we expand globally, we will continue to evaluate what is necessary in order to pursue "Water Sustainability" and we will promote our activities even further as a company that is "Bringing Water to Life."
April 12, 2011
Suntory Museum of Art
In 2011, we will celebrate the dual milestones of 50 years since the opening of the Suntory Museum of Art and 25 years since the opening of Suntory Hall. Mr. Kiyokazu Washida and Ms. Miyuki Shiraishi shared their opinions with us on Suntory's "Cultural Activities and Social Contributions," which are based on Suntory's spirit of "Sharing the Profit with Society."
Realizing "Suntory's Identity," and Expectations for Pioneering Activities
Kiyokazu Washida, President of Osaka University
• Profile
Mr. Washida is a philosopher specializing in clinical philosophy and ethics. He is currently involved in a clinical philosophy project to tie together philosophical thinking with the various problems society has embraced.
As part of the diverse economic activities that make up business, company culture is reflected in a company's social contribution activities, and the performance of these activities that reflect the company's identity is extremely important. I respect the fact that, based on Suntory's spirit of "Sharing the Profit with Society" which has existed from the time of Suntory's founding, the company has developed unique, forward-looking activities and has continued on with that spirit throughout the years. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Museum of Art and the 25th anniversary of the Suntory Hall, and as Suntory faces the challenge of developing pioneering activities that will bring a wider and larger group of people to enjoy the arts, I am looking forward to Suntory's efforts to make complex concepts entertaining.
Anticipating New Art and Cultural Possibilities, Including through the Union of Music and Art
Miyuki Shiraishi, Professor at Musashino Art University
• Profile
Professor Shiraishi is a musicologist and music critic, specializing in 20th century music.
Starting with John Cage, her research encompasses a broad range of contemporary music.
Since the time of its establishment, Suntory has been consistently involved in cultural activities and social contributions and at present, these cover very broad ground, from music, art, academia, and sports through to social welfare. Understanding the needs of the times, Suntory takes the standpoint of its customers and empathizes with the desire of many to lead an affluent and comfortable life. In the future, too, and no matter the economic times, I would like to see Suntory put more effort into education and enlightenment activities for the coming generations, such as for children, and for the company to seek challenges in new art and cultural possibilities, including looking at the union of music and art.
Suntory's Response
Tetsuji Katsuta, Senior Director, Suntory Foundation for Arts/Manager, Suntory Museum of Art
Upon reaching the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Suntory Museum of Art, and based on the museum's message of "Art Revisited, Beauty Revealed," we would like to reveal a new world of beauty by freely and boldly uniting art and beauty without being bound by cultural categories. We intend to take on the challenge of representing new art in the future through, for example, the union of the old and the new and the union of art with music. In our contributions to the development of the arts, we will keep uppermost in our minds the proposal to make complex concepts entertaining.
Tomomi Fukumoto, Manager, Suntory Hall
Looking ahead to the next 25 years, to help people feel closer to classical music, we are taking a new approach under the theme of "Music Moves our Hearts as One." We are now preparing a variety of programs, which include sharing the enjoyment of chamber music, holding a spectacular autumn festival, putting into effect pioneering plans to explore the possibilities for music, and educating the coming generations. Into the future, we will continue our endeavors to make high quality music enjoyable for many.
