Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

SocialAs a good corporate citizen, the Group is proactively addressing the expectations of stakeholders andthe issues they now confront on diverse fronts by, for example, respecting human rights, assisting employees intheir pursuit of career success, supporting employee health, valuing diversity, and participating in local communities.
P. 28 Respect for Human Rights
P. 29 Human Resources Strategy
P. 30 Diversity & InclusionP. 31 Creating a Supportive Working Environment
P. 32 Industrial Safety and HealthP. 33 Support for Entrepreneurs
Initiatives to Resolve Social Issues through the Businessesof Portfolio Companies and Group Companies
P. 34 Participation in Our Community
P. 35 AI Ethics
27

Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

Respect for Human Rights
Respect for human rights is a fundamental corporate responsibility. To ensure that the human rights ofGroup Company Initiatives
SoftBank Corp.

all people involved in its businesses are respected, the Group develops and implements appropriate

Human Rights Due Diligencesystems. In addition, we established our Human Rights Policy, which sets out basic matters related to

SoftBank Corp. conducts human rights due diligence in accordance with the UN’s Guiding Principles onhuman rights, as we work to raise awareness of respect for human rights throughout the Group throughBusiness and Human Rights to respect the human rights of all of its stakeholders. In identifying humantraining and other means. We also require our investees and business partners to act in compliance withrights risks, based on exchanging opinions with experts, the company has mapped out risks originating

all laws and regulations related to human rights.

from its business activities or trade relations that could negatively impact human rights. Thinking thecompany needs to address these risks as priorities, it identiﬁes and evaluates potential impacts of theseSee our website for the full text of our Human Rights Policy.

risks on human rights, and takes appropriate measures to reduce latent risks. Should a risk emerge, thecompany works to quickly resolve problems and take appropriate remedial measures.

Identifying Human Rights Risks
Human Rights Survey

In a continuation from ﬁscal 2020, SoftBank Corp. conducted a ﬁscal 2021 self-assessment related toSBG

human rights initiatives for its employees, subsidiaries and afﬁliates, joint venture portfolio companies,

In February 2022, as part of its human rights due diligence, SBG conducted a human rights survey ofbusiness partners who are major suppliers, and distributors operating SoftBank and Y!mobile shops,

ofﬁcers and employees to better understand human rights risks in business activities and consider pre-which serve as direct lines to customers and key sales channels. Although no cases of human rights

ventive and remedial measures, with a response rate of approximately 77%. From the responses, we

impacts were identiﬁed, the company worked to solve problems and take corrective measures forconﬁrmed human rights issues that had occurred within the last 12 months and ascertained potential

subsidiaries and business partners where there were latent human rights risks. Going forward, the com-human rights risks that could occur in the future. Responses included references to overwork, harass-pany will continue to conduct continuous monitoring and offer improvement recommendations in an

ment, discrimination based on gender or other grounds, and human rights risks associated with AI andeffort to further reduce risks.

other technologies used or developed by our portfolio companies.
For the identiﬁed human rights risks, we will continue to take measures to prevent an occurrence of

Human rights risk mapping

such risks by providing ongoing training and other measures, while exploring countermeasures based on
the ﬁndings from yearly monitoring. In addition, we continue to consider initiatives aimed at expanding

Large ◆ Management of personal
information

Affected stakeholders□ Employees of SoftBank Corp.
■ Employees of SoftBank Corp.’sgroup companies● Supply chain△ Franchise◆ Customers

our human rights due diligence efforts, such as by promoting action on human rights for businessRespect for Human Rights in the Supply Chain
Modern business cannot function alone, they need to collaborate with a range of business partners.
When promoting its businesses, SBG believes that it is essential not only to comply with laws, but also to
conduct business based on high ethical standards. As such, SBG established the Supplier Code of

Impact degree

partners and Group companies.

◆ Management of personal data
● Forced labor(overseas suppliers)● Child labor (overseas suppliers)●△■ Operation of the TechnicalInternship System● Conflict minerals● Safety management duringbase station construction◆ Care for children / elderly
persons

Conduct that stipulates matters where compliance is expected of these business partners. Our goals are◆ Human rights violations on
the Internet□ Overwork

to ensure the promotion of business activities that comply with high ethical standards. This includes
respecting the human rights of workers and ensuring a safe and sanitary working environment.

□■●△ Freedom of
Association and theRight to Collective
Bargaining□ Discrimination against people with disabilities□ Difference between
foreigners

See our website for the full text of our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Small
Small

Possibility of occurrence□ Power harassment□ Sexual harassment□ Harassment for pregnancy,
childbirth, and childcare
leave□ LGBTQ□ Discrimination against
women
Large

28

Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

Human Resources Strategy
Human resources are the source of the Group’s value creation, and employees are important stakeholders that support sustainable growth. We are continually working on development and promotion of humanresources in various ways. This is based on the belief that creating an environment where employees can take on challenges and play an active role while making the most of their individuality and abilities, will
increase corporate value.

Human Resources Management

Human Resources Development
SBG

Professional Recruitment Emphasizing Core Competencies

The Group emphasizes the importance of self-driven career development. When each employee deter-

SBG hires professionals with an emphasis on the “Three Core Competencies” of Professionalism, Smart,mines and enhances the knowledge and skills they need on their own, both the individual and organization

and Relation. Our basic policy is to hire the best person for the position regardless of age, gender,

are strengthened. In line with this thought, we provide internal training programs where employees cannationality, disability, and other factors. We are hiring excellent and diverse personnel. In addition, SBG

voluntarily participate, such as English conversation courses and SoftBank University.*1 Also to enable

has established a system for self-driven career development so that each employee can continuallyemployees to autonomously choose external training programs, we provide such support as allotting eachenhance their Three Core Competencies after being hired. Furthermore, we have also established adepartment with an educational budget and covering the costs necessary to maintain qualiﬁcations.

dual-employment system, under which employees may engage in a second job in line with the concept
Human Resource Development Programs Aimed at Enhancing Valuethat personal growth through diverse experiences leads to career development.

SoftBank Corp.

SoftBank Corp. has established a job posting system for in-house recruitment of members to start up“Three Core Competencies” We Seek in Our Employees

new businesses and companies, a free agent system that enables ambitious employees to transfer toProfessionalism

Smart

Relation

the department of their choice, and a system to support the acquisition of certiﬁcations as opportunities

High level of expertise ina relevant field

Capacity to think logically andtackle unprecedented challenges
using numbers and reasoning

Communication skills required toengage in business with leading
companies in the world

for career development, helping employees achieve their career plans. The company allows secondary

Advancement of Professionals
Certified Public Accountant; Accounting Department, Consolidation Accounting Group

Daisuke Suzuki

SBG continues to take on dynamic challenges, and I am responsible for operations that
control consolidated accounting, such as compiling points of discussion on Group
company performance and reconciliation with independent auditors. Because I also
sometimes handle new projects that could establish precedent, there are many opportunities to test my knowledge and skills as a CPA and support the company’s dynamic
management decisions as an accounting professional.
Lawyer; Corporate Legal Department/CLO Office

Aya Tominaga

As an in-house lawyer, I am responsible for contract review, dispute management, andgovernance related work such as preliminary reviews of Board meeting materials. My
job requires knowledge, negotiation and coordination skills as a lawyer in order to handle many important management matters and ﬁrst-time projects. As a key player inboth SBG’s offensive and defensive strategies, I leverage my own skills to contribute toits sustainable growth.

jobs as long as it does not have an impact on the company’s business, based on the belief that theexperience will lead to the revitalization of its business and innovation. The company has also introduced
an internal secondary job system, which allows employees to experience work in other departments.
This system expands opportunities for employees to develop abilities and revitalize organizations
through interdepartmental exchanges.
AI-savvy Personnel Development

SoftBank Corp.

Z Holdings Corporation

For society to fully enjoy the beneﬁts of AI, we believe that it is important to improve AI literacy on both
the developer and user sides. We are therefore working to develop AI talent for the Group as a whole.
Aiming for AI skill acquisition for all its employees, SoftBank Corp. launched AI Campus within
SoftBank University*1 as we accelerate the acquisition of talent who possess AI-related knowledge andskills. Having established Z AI Academia, a community to develop expertise in AI, Z Holdings
Corporation is promoting knowledge sharing and business collaboration utilizing AI. Employees indiverse occupations, not just researchers and engineers, are eligible for training, and the company isfocusing on developing AI-savvy personnel.
*1 An employee training program established in September 2010 with the purpose of developing human resources who help achieve thecorporate philosophy.

29

Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

Diversity & Inclusion
The Group believes that the full exercise of each employee’s individuality and ability is the force driving

Aiming to Increase the Ratio of Female Managers

the growth of the entire Group. By advancing hiring and management promotions regardless of age,

SoftBank Corp. has positioned the promotion of diversity as a management priority. With the objective

gender, nationality or disability, we are creating a workplace rich in diversity where everyone can playof promoting the advancement of women in its workforce, the company has set targets of roughly

an active role.

doubling women’s representation in management from 7.1% in ﬁscal 2021 to 15% in ﬁscal 2030 and to

SoftBank Corp.

have roughly tripled the ratio to 20% by ﬁscal 2035. Toward achieving these targets, the Advancement

See our website for human resources and diversity data.

of Women Promotion Committee, which comprises executives and outside experts, was established inJuly 2021. Other speciﬁc measures being taken include workshops for female employees, mentorship

Empowerment of WomenDiversity is a driving force underpinning the growth of the entire Group. We are promoting diversity tofoster an environment where employees, who are key stakeholders, can thrive. Throughout the Group,
we are proactively advancing diversity with a particular focus on the empowerment of women.

programs led by female managers and other role models, and e-learning programs for all employees
related to unconscious bias.
Going forward, the company will

Advancement of Women Promotion Committee

continue to further expand these
SBG

Advancement of Women Regardless of Gradeinitiatives while introducing andChairperson

Advisors

CEO

Experts

promoting new measures based on
SBG hires and promotes employees based on their abilities without regard to gender. Approximately
44% of all employees and 22% of managers are female. Females occupy a wide range of positions,from Board Directors to junior managers, including approximately 11% of the Board Directors, 18% ofsenior managers, and 28% of junior managers.*1 Each of them is engaged in their profession by making

the discussions at the Advancement of
Women Promotion Committee withthe aim of realizing an organization
brimming with vitality.

Promotioncommittee
members

Promotioncommittee
members

Promotioncommittee
members

Promotioncommittee
members

Promotioncommittee
members

Promotioncommittee
members

Officer

Officer

Officer

Officer

Officer

Officerthe best use of their expertise.
Working to Eliminate the Gender Gap in Venture Capital

SBIA

SBGI

Promoting the Advancement of Foreign Employees
SBG advances the hiring and promotion of employees to management positions regardless of nationality.

In November 2021, Lydia Jett became the ﬁrst female investor to hold the rank of managing partner at
SBIA, which manages the SoftBank Vision Funds. This is one result of our efforts to promote women

We are fostering an environment where foreign employees can thrive by, for example, providing mostinternal notices, training content, systems, and more in both Japanese and English.

empowerment. In ﬁscal 2021, 40% of promotions to Investment Partner and Managing Partner werefemale. Year after year, the ratio of women across the company has steadily risen.
In addition, measures to promote diversity have yielded progress at SoftBank Group International(SBGI), which is the global asset management arm of SBG, where the diversity of new hires in 2021 washigh: 51% women and 55% people of color.
While expanding the diversity of new hires, SBIA and SBGI are also proactively working to eliminate thegender gap in part by conducting training to root out bias.

Advancing the Promotion of People with Disabilities
SoftBank Corp. wants all employees to excel in their workby making the most of their unique abilities. In principle,
therefore, the same standards are applied to hiring people
with disabilities and those without. Nor is any distinction
made in subsequent compensation. The company is also promoting a new workstyle called short time
work, where people can work shorter hours depending on their disability, both inside and outside thecompany, as it strives to create an environment where everyone can work to the full extent of their abilities.

*1 As of March 31, 2022.

30

Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

Creating a Supportive Working Environment
The Group aims to maintain working environments in which all employees can exercise self-expression

Employee Well-being

and work passionately while preserving their physical and mental well-being. To ensure our success in

The Group is taking various measures to manage, maintain, and improve employee health with the belief

this endeavor, we pay careful attention to worker health and safety, and have instituted various programs

that the physical and mental health of employees is important to sustainable corporate growth.

that help employees strike an optimal work-life balance.
SBG

Healthcare Measures (Examples)

SoftBank Corp.

Z Holdings Corporation

OthersWork-style Reform
The Group has established various systems to realize the appropriate balance between work and quality• Conducting regular health checkups and encouraging checkupsof life, placing importance on work-life balance. We have also undertaken various measures to reduce• Conducting individual follow-ups for employees recognized as needing improvement in theirlong working hours, such as the utilization of technology.

health checkup• Providing counseling from an industrial physician, public nurse, or counselor

Work-style Reform Measures (Examples)

SBG

SoftBank Corp.

Others• Conducting regular stress checks• Providing meals or bento boxed lunches inspected and certiﬁed as a Smart Meal*4 and a buffet• Company-wide introduction of remote workwith a healthy balance between main and side dishes enabling employees to customize their meal

• Company-wide introduction of the super ﬂextime system*1

for how they feel that day• Attendance management linked to the ofﬁce entry-exit management system using facial recognition• Providing massage rooms• Periodic delivery of attendance alert e-mails using an RPA*2 system (to monitor attendance status,• Providing health-related videos

to alert employees of excessive working hours based on predictive simulation, and to encourage• Providing online medical counseling services

employees to take annual leave)• Taking measures to support employees who want to quit smoking• Promotion of “No Overtime Days” and “Premium Friday”*3• Regularly conducting saliva PCR tests for employees (a COVID-19 countermeasure)

Benefits
The Group provides various programs to foster a working environment where employees can work
secure in mind and body.
Beneﬁts (Examples)

SBG

SoftBank Corp.

OthersCounseling room

Cafeteria serving healthy food

Massage room

• Full social insurance (health insurance, welfare pension insurance/workers’ compensation
insurance, and employment insurance)• Corporate pension plans (deﬁned-contribution pension plan/deﬁned-beneﬁt pension plan)• Asset-building savings (general, pension, housing/incentives provided)• Employee stock ownership plan (incentives provided)• Group insurance, membership beneﬁt services, point-based prize programs*1 Flextime system without core time.
*2 RPA stands for robotic process automation, a technology that automates business processes and tasks, previously performed by humans, andinstead carries them out on computers.
*3 A private-public initiative aimed at revitalizing consumption and changing lifestyles by moving the end of the workday forward on the last Friday ofeach month.

*4 A common term for a nutritionally balanced meal that includes health-boosting food certiﬁed by the Healthy Meal and Food Environment
Consortium.

31

Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

Industrial Safety and Health
The Group strives to identify and address risks associated with occupational safety and health, with theWork Styles for the Post-COVID Era

aim of maintaining a working environment in which everyone can work while staying mentally and

The Group has realized the stability and continuity of its business operations while ensuring the safety ofphysically healthy.

its employees even when the spread of COVID-19 infections became more pronounced. In a post-pandemic future, we are aiming for an optimal mix of work styles aligned with the business characteristics ofVaccinations at Workplaces for Safe and Secure Working Environments
To contribute to an earlier rollout of vaccinations against COVID-19 in Japan, from June 2021, SBG cooperat-

each Group company in a bid to better respond whenever an emergency strikes, including natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, and pandemics.

ed with its Group companies in administering approximately 240,000*1 doses of vaccine at a total of 13 sites
nationwide to employees of Group companies, their families, business partners, healthcare workers, and local
residents. The management of vaccinations at workplaces was achieved efﬁciently by utilizing digital solutions.
These included smooth reception and registration of vaccination completion procedures using the HELPOGroup company initiatives
Company

Initiatives

SoftBank Group Corp.

• With a focus on in-ofﬁce work, make effective use of remote work andsuper ﬂextime system• Furnish each employee with two business-use PCs (ofﬁce and remote) tolessen employee burden and ensure security

SoftBank Corp.

• Promote the best mix of work styles that combines, for example, in-ofﬁce
work, remote work, and satellite ofﬁce work
• Allow each division to set its own standard for the frequency of ofﬁce
attendance, etc., instead of setting a uniform company-wide standard• Reﬂect results of employee questionnaires in work systems

Yahoo Japan Corporation• Institutionalized Office Anywhere program, whereby employees can freely
choose where they work, in 2014
• Removed upper limits in 2020 on use of Office Anywhere program• Expanded the means of commuting and the areas where employees canlive while abolishing the cap on one-way transportation expenses in 2022
• Increased the Office Anywhere allowance to improve the working
environment

PayPay Corporation• Institutionalized the Work From Anywhere at Anytime (WFA), which allows
employees to work anywhere in Japan at any place and time they want,as long as it is in a performance environment.

healthcare app provided by Group company Healthcare Technologies Corp.; health consultations where
doctors and others respond via chat 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and the effective ﬁlling of slots canceledon the same day by utilizing a vaccination slot notiﬁcation service provided by Yahoo Japan Corporation. At
SBG, time spent by employees for vaccinations, including time needed to go to vaccination sites, is deemed tobe part of their working hours. Moreover, special paid leave is granted to those who need to take time off due
to side effects, etc. By creating a working environment where employees can work with peace of mind, SBG iscontributing to the early containment of COVID-19 infections in Japan.

Contribution to Early Containment of COVID-19 Infections—Providing Flexible Testing
SB Coronavirus Inspection Center Corp., a subsidiary of SBG, provides high quality saliva PCR testing at affordable prices. Since its establishment in July 2020, the company performed a cumulative
total of more than 4.7 million rounds of testing.*2 On April 1, 2022, the company introduced a mobile
PCR testing vehicle in order to more ﬂexibly accommodate testing demand. Current regulations
hinder the utilization of such a vehicle because PCR testing sites are allowed to operate only on
registered locations, but the company was granted special approval from the Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare after negotiating with the ministry and relevant local governments. Thanks to
the introduction of this vehicle, the company is now able to smoothly perform highly accurate PCR
testing without geographical restrictions. For example, the vehicle can be deployed in mountainareas and underpopulated areas, where robust testing facilities are not inplace, as well as event sites, sightseeing spots and other places that
attract large crowds. Looking ahead, the company will continue contributing to the development of a robust COVID-19 testing system throughthe provision of mobile PCR testing services.
*1 Total number of ﬁrst to third vaccinations as of May 31, 2022. Includes the Tokyo Nogizaka Vaccination Center and the WeWork Minatomirai Site,
which cooperated as vaccination sites.
*2 Cumulative total from July 2020 to March 2022.

32

Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSupport for Entrepreneurs

SocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

Initiatives to Resolve Social Issues through the Businesses of Portfolio Companies and Group Companies

Supporting Underrepresented Founders in the U.S.

SB Opportunity Fund Manager LLC

SoftBank Vision Funds

Amid ongoing issues of racial injustice in the U.S., we launched the $100 million SB Opportunity Fund

Quality Education for All

in 2020 to support Black, Latinx, and Native American founders. SB Opportunity Fund has already

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Designed with the goal

invested in more than 70 start-ups and will invest in many more in the years to come.

of democratizing access to high-quality education, the platform provides

Unacademy

content to prepare students for speciﬁc examinations and more than a million
video lessons that are free to view.
Curing Disease through a New Genome Engineering Technology

Tessera Therapeutics

Tessera Therapeutics has developed a new biotechnology that can write andrewrite DNA into the genome, creating an opportunity to cure diseases attheir source.
High-quality and Affordable Healthcare for Seniors
2021 Year in review

Second anniversary event at Nasdaq Photo courtesy of Nasdaq

Devoted Health

Devoted Health provides high-quality and affordable healthcare to seniors in
the U.S. At a time when healthcare is all too often confusing and impersonal,

See the fund’s website for further details.

Devoted Health provides seamless medical services, making healthcare
Program for Underrepresented Founders

SBIA

easier and better suited to the person’s needs.

In 2019, SBIA launched Emerge, a seed stage investment program designed to help underrepresented
founders access the capital, network connections and strategic insights to grow their businesses. In achieving

Using Predictive AI to Reduce Driver Error and Make the Roads Safer

selection for the program, founders receive direct funding from SBIA, alongside capital commitments from

Nauto uses a dual-facing camera and external sensors to detect and warnother leading VCs. In addition to direct investment, members of the Emerge cohort gain access to workshops

the driver of risks associated with distracted driving and tailgating, etc.,

on a range of business growth areas and mentoring sessions, as well as dialogue with operating specialists

preventing trafﬁc accidents before they occur.

from across the Group’s ecosystem. Each cohort culminates with a live showcase event where founders
can pitch their business to potential investors. In 2022, SBIA is expanding the program’s geographic
coverage to Europe, the Middle East, and India to reach even more underrepresented entrepreneurs.

NautoGroup Companies
Japan’s First Incubation Community Specializing in AI

DEEPCORE Inc.

DEEPCORE Inc. operates the incubation community KERNEL, which is the ﬁrst inJapan to focus on AI engineers, with the aim of developing engineers andresearchers in the AI ﬁeld (especially deep learning) into entrepreneurs. Throughthis community, the company collaborates with various research institutions andcompanies, connects deep learning engineers and researchers with industries,and supports entrepreneurs, including ﬁnancial backing through investments from VC funds it operates.
See the program website for further details.

33Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

Participation in Our Community
In addition to contributing to society through its business activities, the Group engages in ongoing communication with local communities while working to help solve community issues and contribute to community development.

SBG Initiatives

SoftBank Corp.

Providing Affordable Broadband in Africa

Pepper Social Contribution Program

SoftBank Corp. and Smart Africa Secretariat*3 are working to bridge the digital divide in Africa by

SBG has been conducting the Pepper Social Contribution

providing affordable broadband to areas with poor Internet connectivity.

Program since 2017, lending out its humanoid robot
Support for Economic Revitalization through the Use of Payment Platforms

Pepper with the goal of supporting education and society.

PayPay Corporation

These support activities for educational institutions using

In order to revitalize local economies, which have been suffering from a decline due to the spread ofPepper are not limited to Japan, but are also being

COVID-19, PayPay Corporation is conducting the “Support Your Town Project,” a campaign to promotelocal consumption through the PayPay payment platform, in collaboration with local governments.

implemented in the United States*1 and China.
Elementary and junior high school students participatingin the program

See our website for further details.

See PayPay Corporation’s website for further details (available only in Japanese).

BOLDLY Inc.

TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program*2

Sustainable Mobility Services Using Self-driving Technology

The TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program is a pro-BOLDLY Inc., subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. is using self-driving and other technologies

gram conducted by SBG in support of the TOMODACHI

to offer solutions to a range of public transportation-related social issues, such as

Initiative led by the U.S. Embassy in Japan and the U.S.-

growing numbers of people who have difﬁculty getting around due to regional

Japan Council. This program invites high school students

depopulation and driver shortages. Speciﬁcally, through demonstration tests and thefrom areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

practical application of self-driving buses, as well as the development and provision of

to a fully paid program at a U.S. university where they

its “Dispatcher” self-driving ﬂeet management platform, BOLDLY Inc. is working tolearn about community service and problem solving.

Participants at the University of California, Berkeley(4th year)

Students then take part in various projects in their local

Self-driving bus

quickly realize convenient and sustainable mobility services.
See BOLDLY Inc.’s website for further details.

areas by leveraging the knowledge they have learned in the program. In this way, the program supports
the development of next-generation leaders who will support the future of the Tohoku region.

Making Kyushu Brighter as a Locally Rooted Team

Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp.

“Fight! Kyushu” is a project launched by Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS

See our website for further details.

Corp. in April 2016 to support the recovery from the Kumamoto and

The SoftBank Group’s Initiatives
Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

Oita earthquake. Its objective has since been expanded, redeﬁning
SBG

SoftBank Corp.

SBIA

SBGI

the project as ongoing “HAWKS’ activities to make Kyushu brighter.”

The Group has taken a variety of measures to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. SBIA and SBGIIn 2022, the project is promoting a variety of activities to protect

matched employee donations to organizations helping provide aid. SBG and SoftBank Corp. have been

Kyushu’s rich natural environment and brighten up the community.

loaning out around 2,000 smartphones to refugees in Japan free of charge as a way for them to stay intouch and collect information during their stay. In these and other ways, each Group company is lever-See Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp.’s website for further details(available only in Japanese).

Fight! Kyushu project website

aging its own unique strengths to provide aid to the people of Ukraine.

*1 The program in the United States ended September 30, 2021.
*2 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the portion of the program conducted in the United States has been suspended since 2020.

*3 An alliance of 32 African countries, international organizations, and global private-sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda.

34

Introduction

Our Sustainability

GovernanceSocialEnvironment

Corporate Information

AI Ethics

Since its foundation, SBG has consistently invested in the technologies that have driven the Information Revolution, such as the Internet and mobile technologies, with AI currently becoming pivotal to thatrevolution. Of the myriad technologies that humankind has produced thus far, it is believed that AI will bring innovation to many more industries and has the potential to contribute to the realization of humanwell-being to an unprecedented extent. In contrast, misuse of AI could have negative consequences on human rights, including infringements of people’s self-determination. SBG will consider establishingGroup-wide AI ethics as the responsibility of a company that invests in AI, to ensure AI is utilized for people’s well-being.

Principles of AI Ethics
SBG is advancing studies toward the establishment of its basic principles that will guide the Group’s AI ethics. While AI is a promising technology that could bring considerable beneﬁts, it should be handledwith great care because its advancement could have signiﬁcant impacts on society. Accordingly, international discussions on AI ethics are now under way. Aware of these international trends regarding AI
ethics, we are collaborating with Yutaka Matsuo, a leading expert in AI and deep learning in Japan and an External Board Director of SBG, and with domestic and overseas Group companies that are responsible
for major businesses, while discussing the AI ethics for which we should be aiming. By clarifying common principles that should be used as guidelines for the Group, we will help build a society where people
can use AI with peace of mind.

Group Company Initiatives
SoftBank AI Ethics Policy

SoftBank Corp.

Z Holdings Group Basic Policy on AI Ethics

Z Holdings Corporation

SoftBank Corp. has established the SoftBank AI Ethics Policy in order to provide customers with safe

To enable its services to be used without anxiety, Z Holdings Corporation has established theand secure services via the appropriate use of AI. With the principles stipulated in this policy inform-

Z Holdings Group Basic Policy on AI Ethics with respect to the utilization of AI technologies. Thising business management, service development, and other undertakings by SoftBank Corp., its

basic policy declares that Z Holdings Corporation will safely use AI while respecting user privacy, andgroup companies will develop their own structure for supporting the practice of this policy, with thewill contribute to the realization of a society in which each individual is able to achieve various forms

aim of ensuring the safe and secure utilization of AI through robust collaboration among them.

of happiness, leveraging the diversity of information. In order to maintain a high level of transparency

Furthermore, its plans call for formulating guidelines designed to provide more detailed rules in addi-

in addition to fairness and impartiality, Z Holdings Corporation will continue to receive external input

tion to strengthening its relevant structure by considering the establishment of a special committee

on the status of AI utilization, such as from the Expert Panel, and will formulate speciﬁc voluntary

consisting of external experts on AI.

rules under this Basic Policy.

SoftBank AI Ethics Policy
1. Principle of Human-Centeredness
2. Respect for Fairness
3. Pursuit of Transparency and Accountability

Z Holdings Group Basic Policy on AI Ethics
4. Ensuring Safety
5. Privacy Protection and Security
6. Development of AI Human Resources and Literacy

1. Creation of a better future and contribution to
mankind prompted by the diversity of information
2. Realization of a peaceful and sustainable society
3. Governance controls
4. Pursuit of fairness and impartiality

5. Pursuit of transparency and accountability
6. Ensuring safety and security
7. Protection of privacy
8. AI human capital development

35