Our Policies and Approach
Basic Policy on Social Activities
Suntory Group has long been involved in community contribution, arts, culture, sports and environmental activities based on the spirit of Giving Back to Society. Through our social activities, we aim to contribute to the sustainable growth of our business as well as to finding solutions to social.
Our Initiatives
Suntory Group is involved in a variety of cultural contribution activities such as operating the Suntory Museum of Art, Suntory Hall and other activities that contribute to the development of a rich culture and lifestyle.
In addition, we also support academic research in the humanities and social sciences, and promote research activities in bio-organic science. Through these activities we aim to foster global talent capable of leading the next generation.
Suntory Foundation for the Arts
Suntory has been active in the field of arts for nearly half a century through the Suntory Museum of Art, which opened in 1961, and the Torii Music Foundation, which was established in 1969 to commemorate the company’s 70th anniversary (renamed the Suntory Music Foundation in 1978). In 2009, we established the Suntory Foundation for Arts to bring together the activities of these two organizations and to innovate them into a new form suited to the 21st century. In 2012, we added the operation of Suntory Hall to our business portfolio. Through our unique and diverse business activities, we aim to contribute to the further popularization and development of Japan’s music and art.
For more information, see Suntory Foundation for the Arts
Suntory Museum of Art — Art revised, beauty revealed
Opened in 1961 with the basic philosophy of “Art in Life,” the Suntory Museum of Art has hosted special exhibitions and expanded its collection, mainly consisting of Japanese art pieces. In March 2007, the museum was moved to Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi. Under the theme of "Art revised, beauty revealed," the museum has held a variety of special exhibitions with approximately 3,000 items from its collection, including one National Treasure and 16 Important Cultural Properties, and continues its activities to pass on the aesthetic values that lie at the heart of Japanese people to future generations. The museum, designed around the theme of “urban living room” by architect Kengo Kuma, features a store, café, tea ceremony room and a hall that features various programs.
Suntory Museum of Art
Suntory Hall — In pursuit of the world’s most beautiful sound
The Suntory Hall opened in 1986 as Tokyo’s first dedicated concert hall. Performances by leading musicians from Japan and around the world are performed in two halls, The Main Hall with a vineyard style, praised as "a jewel box of sound" by world-renowned conductor Herbert von Karajan, and Blue Rose (Small Hall) which gives the space a warm sound and atmosphere and allows the audience to feel close to the performers. Every year, Suntory Hall holds approximately 600 events by world’s top artists from home and abroad, and welcomes approximately 600,000 visitors. Suntory Hall’s mission is to enrich people's lives through music and to lead music culture and contribute to society. In September 2021, the total number of visitors to Suntory Hall hit 20 million since its opening.
In 2021, we opened the “Digital Suntory Hall,” allowing visitors from all over the world to enjoy Suntory Hall's facilities and concerts beyond distance and time.
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Suntory Hall
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Visitors to Suntory Hall hit 20 million since its opening.
For more information, see “Suntory Hall”
For more information, see “Digital Suntory Hall”
Suntory Hall and Suntory Museum of Art Switches to 100% Renewable Electricity
Since April 2022, Suntory Group purchases 100% renewable electricity for all 30 directly owned manufacturing sites and R&D facilities in Japan. Suntory Hall and Suntory Museum of Art have also switched to purchasing 100% of their electricity from renewable energy sources.
Through these efforts, the two facilities have reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 800 tons per year compared to before.
We believe that both "the most beautiful echoes in the world" and "urban living room" can be realized by placing importance on harmony with nature as well as with people and society.
Music Division — Innovative Activities to Promote Music
The Music Division engages in a wide range of activities with the aim of contributing to the development of Western music and the advancement of culture in Japan. Suntory Foundation supports creative musical activities in Japan through its programs, including the Suntory Music Award, which honors individuals or groups for outstanding achievements in the field of Western music every year for the past 55 years, the Keizo Saji Prize, which recognizes performances that demonstrate a spirit of taking on challenges, the Yasushi Akutagawa Suntory Award for Music Composition, which selects outstanding works by up-and-coming Japanese composers based on public performances, and the publication of Japanese Contemporary Composition, which critiques new Western music premieres. Since 2014, the Foundation has been preserving world-famous string instruments of cultural value in its collection, as well as lending them out to train young performers. To date, these instruments have been loaned free of charge not only to professional performers, but also to more than 15 junior and senior high school students who have received the Suntory Foundation for Arts Special Prize for Masterpiece Instruments, many of whom have now gone on to play internationally.
Suntory Music Award and Keizo Saji Prize ceremony
Vienna Philharmonic & Suntory Music Aid Fund:
In 2012, Suntory and Vienna Philharmoniker established the Vienna Philharmonic & Suntory Music Aid Fund within Suntory Foundation for Arts, following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, with the goal of revitalizing disaster afflicted areas as well as the rest of Japan through music. In collaboration with the Vienna Philharmoniker, we hold "Concerts for Children" for children and their families in disaster afflicted areas, and we also provide music instruction to nurture the next generation of music aficionados and performers.
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Vienna Philharmonic & Suntory Music Aid Fund:
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Concert for junior and senior high school students in Suzu City,
Ishikawa Prefecture at La Porte Suzu performing arts center
Interaction and music instruction with brass band members
For more information, see Music Division
For more information, see Vienna Philharmonic & Suntory Music Aid Fund (in Japanese)
Suntory Foundation
Suntory Foundation was established in 1979 in celebration of Suntory’s 80th anniversary. Aiming to deepen international and interdisciplinary exploration of society and culture, we will support and discover of talented human resources across a wide range of fields, and support original and adventurous research, and, contribute to the dramatic development of cultural exchange between the world and Japan.
Our initiatives as a Humanities and Social Sciences Promotion Project effort include research assistance and investigative research in the fields of the humanities and social science, awarding of the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities, and overseas publishing support. Community Culture Promotion Project efforts include awarding the Suntory Prize for Community Cultural Activities and support for regional cultural activities.
In recent years, the Foundation has been actively working to provide support to young researchers, and carrying out initiatives including providing support those who will lead the future of society, and working to bridge the gap between researchers and society by providing opportunities for exchange between the worlds of academism and journalism.
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Suntory Prize for Social Sciences
and Humanities award ceremony -
Suntory Prize for Community
Cultural Activities award ceremony -
Grant for Groundbreaking
Young Researchers report briefing
For more information, see Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Suntory Foundation for Culture
Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences
Preceded by the Institute of Food Chemistry which was established in 1946 to improve the health and nutrition of the Japanese people, the name was changed to Suntory Institute for Bioorganic Research (SUNBOR) in 1979 and Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences in 2011. The Foundation promotes research and disseminating academics of bioorganic science, which is a fusion of life science and organic chemistry. It has produced many university professors and other researchers that play active roles on the frontline.
We engage in research activities for unveiling the mechanisms of life emphasizing molecules using the keywords "metabolism," "biomembrane," and "signalling" by positioning our own research into structural biology, organic chemistry, and molecular biology as points of integration for dissimilar fields. Collaborative research with research institutions such as universities is also promoted. It also operates an analysis center to aid research by universities. SUNBOR GRANT for young researchers, SUNBOR SCHOLARSHIP for graduate students, aiding academic meetings, postdoctoral fellow system, educational support for universities, and other activities to train researchers are also operated.
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Exhibition displaying
the history of the foundation -
800 MHz superconducting
nuclear magnetic
resonance equipment
Many research findings have been published in prestigious academic journals, such as the discovery of enzyme gene for biosynthesis of Sesamolin and Sesaminol from Sesamin, antioxidant components of sesame, the deciphering of the mechanism of blue coloration through interactions between floral pigments and flavonoid glycosides, and the discovery of a new mechanism for iron absorption from grains and vegetables. In addition, joint researchers and front-line researchers are invited to hold debriefing sessions annually.
Research Institute annual meeting
(Saji Keizo Memorial Hall, Osaka University Nakanoshima Center)
SunRiSE (Suntory Rising Stars Encouragement Program in Life Sciences)
"SunRiSE " has been established to support the life science researchers who will lead Japan's basic research in the future and take on great challenges.
Applications were accepted in fiscal 2020, with 10 young researchers (SunRiSE Fellows) selected from nearly 500 applicants. Starting in April 2021, they received support of 50 million yen per person (10 million yen per year for five years). They are also being supported through various activities. Following on from the research discussion meetings held at the end of every fiscal year, a report was made from each fellow at the end of fiscal 2024 covering the progress made in their research over the past year and their research strategy for the remaining one year. The Fellows received advice from different perspectives from the members of the Program’s steering committee and from the SunRiSE Advisors, and their future research results are eagerly anticipated.
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Press conference on the establishment of SunRiSE
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The SunRiSE award ceremony
Suntory Presents Beethoven’s 9th with a Cast of 10,000 – Spreading the Joy of Singing Together
Suntory Presents Beethoven’s 9th with a Cast of 10,000 started as a commemorative event of the opening of the Osaka-Jo Hall in 1983 which was held for the 42th time in 2024.
Suntory Group has been a co-sponsor from the this concert, which has become a seasonal event in December, from the first event.
As an opportunity for 10,000 people to share the joy of singing and experience the wonder of classical music, the event has expanded its rehearsal venues and now welcomes participants of diverse ages and nationalities. It is growing into an event that transcends generations, regions, and national borders.
In 2011 to 2013, the Tohoku venue, which was linked live with the Osaka-Jo Hall, was also set as a part of an activity to support the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. In 2014, 150 people from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures were invited to the Osaka-Jo Hall.
From 2017, in addition to television broadcasts, we have been providing LINE LIVE, a live broadcast for reaching more viewers.
Starting in 2020, as a new challenge, we began an initiative for people to participate in the concert by submitting videos from across the country. In the 40th anniversary concert in 2022, the choir gathered once again at Osaka-Jo Hall for the first time in three years. The concert also featured relay choirs from 10 locations nationwide, along with singing videos from around the world, creating a grand chorus that connected people across Japan and the world with the voices of over 10,000 singers. In 2023, a choir of 10,000 people gathered together for the first time in four years at Osaka-Jo Hall.
Suntory Presents Beethoven’s 9th with a Cast of 10,000
The 38th Suntory Presents Beethoven’s 9th realized through singing videos by a total of 10,000 people (2020)
For more information, see Suntory Presents Beethoven’s 9th with a Cast of 10,000 (in Japanese)
