http://www.jstc.or.jp/
E-mail desk@nosmoke55.jp〒162-0063 東京都新宿区市谷薬王寺町 30-5-201
Tel 03-5360-8233 FAX 03-5360-6736

Governor of Tochigi Prefecture Tomikazu Fukuda

2021/3/26

Concerning donations from Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT)Manabu Sakuta, Chairperson,
Japan Society for Tobacco Control, General incorporated
Recently, with the spread of the "novel coronavirus infection" throughout thenation, there are reports that local governments have received donations fromJapan Tobacco Inc. (JT) with the pretext of "support for families with children
suffering from coronavirus" and "medical support".
It was also reported that JT will donate 1 million yen to Ashikaga, Tochigi
for a forest fire that was thought to be caused from carelessness with cigarettebutts.
The donation from Japan Tobacco Inc. for the forest fire within Nishinomiyacho, Ashikaga
https://www.pref.tochigi.lg.jp/f01/houdou/houdou/20210330jtkihukinn.html
The act of local governments receiving donations from the tobacco industry as
part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities under any name violates
Articles 5.3 and 13 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) thatJapan ratified in 2005.
This situation also became a problem during the Great East Japan Earthquake in2011. At that time, the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Nippon Foundation
received large donations from the tobacco industry, but the money was quickly
returned after it became internationally known that the donations violated theFramework Convention on Tobacco Control. Philip Morris and others also made adonation to the Red Cross Museum, but the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies returned the donations after they were reported byReuters and others.

During recent events, the fire in Tochigi burned a large tract of 72 hectares,
which was extinguished through the strenuous efforts of the Self-Defense Forces,
municipal fire departments, police departments and others over two weeks. The
cause of the fire was suspected to be carelessness with combusted cigarettes.
For the efforts of firefighters, Japan Tobacco Inc. donated 1 million yen ascompensation, but the company nor the governor who accepted the donation can not
fully comprehend all of the sacrifices of the firefighters and the residents,
who risked their lives and lost property.
Representatives of local governments, please be careful not to accept
donations from JT, which would contravene international treaties.
Conclusion
References"Tobacco Control Framework Convention" (FCTC)
Article 5.3"4.10 Parties shall not allow government or quasi-government officials or
employees to receive monetary or in-kind compensation, gifts or services fromthe tobacco industry."
Article 13 "26. Such donations should be prohibited as part of a comprehensive
ban because of the purpose, effect or potential for directly or indirectly
promoting and encouraging tobacco products and the use of tobacco."(FCTC Article 5.3 Guidelines)
6.4 Parties must not allow any sector in government or public political affairs,society, economics, education, or inter-regional affairs to receive
contributions from those working to promote the tobacco industry or theinterests of the tobacco industry.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/tobacco/dl/fctc_5-3_guideline_120506.pdf(FCTC Article 13 Guidelines)
26. Some tobacco companies provide financial and in-kind assistance tocommunities to promote health, welfare, environmental protection and otheraffairs, either directly or indirectly. Such donations fall under Article 1g ofthis Convention as sponsorship by the tobacco industry. Therefore, such
donations should be banned as part of a comprehensive ban because of thepurpose, effect or potential for directly or indirectly promoting andencouraging tobacco products and the use of tobacco.
27. Tobacco companies seem to try to “fulfill corporate socialresponsibilities” through activities such as good labor relations andenvironmental protection, but they are not willing to contribute to other areas.
Advertising to the general public that they are doing "good" activities, withthe purpose of directly and indirectly encouraging tobacco products and the useof tobacco, must be prohibited because it would be done with the intent orexpectation of such effects.
Source: World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control(Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/who/fctc.html