Feature 1

Social Contributions
in Tobacco Leaf Producing Regions
The JT Group procures tobacco leaf, a raw material of tobacco products, fromdomestic and foreign suppliers. To ensure procurement of high-quality tobacco leaf,
the JT Group is engaging in various activities in tobacco leaf producing regions. In
this section, we will describe the JT Group’s relationships with tobacco leaf producing regions abroad in particular.

Global Production of Tobacco Leaf

A leaf tobacco drying facility in Malawi, Africa

Toward Resolving Social Challenges Faced by Tobacco Leaf Producing Regions
Except in the United States and a few other countries, tobacco

conducts surveys in order to eliminate child labor in tobacco

leaf is grown by small farms. There has not been much prog-

leaf producing regions, mainly in Africa.

ress in the modernization of production through the introduc-

Moreover, since 2012, JTI has developed “ARISE,” a programtion of agricultural machinery, so there are various challenges

that aims to eliminate child labor through education andfrom the perspective of productivity. Moreover, many tobacco

improvement of living standards in cooperation with various

leaf producing regions are poor.

organizations, and has started full-scale activity in Brazil andIn light of those circumstances, JTI aims to ensure stable pro-Malawi, an African nation. When conducting the activity, JTI

curement of high-quality tobacco leaf by promoting investment

held hearings with residents in tobacco leaf producing commu-

Of the amount of tobacco leaf JT uses annually to produce

ties. Therefore, in recent years, JTI has started various activi-

to strengthen the foundations of production and everyday life innities and experts on the labor environment and legislation andtobacco products, it procures approximately 29,000 tons fromties involving such communities.

tobacco leaf producing communities and improving farmers’considered specifics of the activity based on the hearing results

productivity and living standards.

so as to implement measures that better suit the circum-suppliers (both figures represent the actual procurement

For example, one major social problem faced by economicallystances of each community.

amounts in 2011).

disadvantaged regions is child labor. In tobacco leaf producing

In addition to child labor, environmental problems, such as

Tobacco leaf procured from foreign suppliers is mainly pro-communities, too, young children whose families cannot send

forest destruction, also pose a great challenge. In tobacco leaf

domestic suppliers and approximately 58,000 tons from foreign

duced in countries located between the latitudes of 40 degrees

them to school for economic reasons are often used for childproducing regions in Africa and elsewhere, wood is used notnorth and 40 degrees south, such as China, Brazil, Tanzania andlabor by leaf tobacco growers. JTI believes that this situation

only as a household fuel material but also for the process ofZambia. Japan Tobacco International (JTI), which operates inshould never be tolerated.

drying leaf tobacco, raising concerns about serious forest

around 120 countries as the core of the JT Group’s international

As a measure to deal with the child labor problem, JTI has par-destruction. To revive forests and ensure sustainable mainte-

tobacco business, is responsible for procuring tobacco leaf pro-ticipated in the activities of the ECLT (Eliminating Child Labournance and management of forests in Africa, the JT Group is

duced outside Japan.

in Tobacco-growing) Foundation since 2001. The ECLT Founda-

promoting reforestation and forest conservation activity there.

JTI has believed that in order to ensure stable procurement oftion, which is a non-profit organization established by theTo tackle social challenges faced by tobacco leaf producing

raw materials and improve quality, it is essential to resolve

tobacco industry and others under the advisorship of the Inter-

communities from a long-term perspective, JTI is implement-

national Labour Organization (ILO), implements projects anding various community support programs.

social challenges faced by tobacco leaf producing communi-

9A leaf tobacco farm in Malawi, Africa

CSR Report 2012

Inspection by JTI of a tobacco field (Zambia, Africa)

CSR Report 201210

Feature 1

Social Contributions in Tobacco Leaf Producing Regions

Eliminating Child Labor through Education and Improvement of Living Standards――ARISE Program

Preserving Forests near Tobacco Leaf Producing Regions

The ARISE (Achieving Reduction of Child Labour in Support ofproviding opportunities to acquire techniques and knowledge

In tobacco leaf producing regions in Africa and elsewhere,

forest conservation through this activity, with a view to devel-Education) program is being implemented by JTI in order tonecessary for effective production of leaf tobacco throughwood is often used as a fuel for the process of drying har-oping a system for sustainable maintenance and management

eliminate child labor in tobacco leaf producing regions. JTI

vocational training. Support is also provided for people planning

vested tobacco leaf. Wood is also used as a household fuelof forests.

launched this program in 2012 in cooperation with Winrock

to start up a new business and preferential financial assistancematerial. As a result, the regions face environmental problems

Moreover, the JT Group is implementing various support mea-International, an NGO which is engaging in agricultural develop-

is offered so as to strengthen the foundation of everyday life. In

such as a decline in the area size of forests and soil runoff insures in the belief that strengthening the foundations of pro-ment and which is well experienced in activities to resolve theaddition to such support, this program enlightens people about

farmland due to logging. There is concern that if this situation

duction and everyday life in local communities is essential tochild labor problem, the International Labour Organization (ILO),

the importance of education and raises awareness about theworsens, it will have a significant impact on tobacco leaf pro-forest conservation. To reduce the amount of wood used as aand local governments.

child labor problem.

duction as well.

household fuel material, we are installing improved cooking

This program aims to resolve the child labour problem by

Resolving the child labor problem is not a challenge for farm-

The JT Group’s reforestation and forest conservation activity

stoves with higher fuel efficiency. We are also engaging inincreasing opportunities for children to receive high-quality edu-ers and local communities alone. Therefore, the program urges

aims to realize sustainable production of tobacco leaf by pre-other activities such as installing wells for clean drinking watercation. It provides better education by giving children learning

relevant governments and international organizations toventing logging and reviving forests. With the support of Wash-and small-scale irrigation equipment that enables the cultivationmaterials and after-school lessons.

develop a legal framework that underpins such activities.

ington State University, which has abundant experiences in theof farm products during the dry season. These activities have

In addition, support for parents is also important. To enable

We pilot the program in Brazil and Malawi, an African nation,

field of overseas aid in the agricultural sector, the JT Groupbeen praised for having led to stable food production, improvement of sanitary conditions and a higher income level.

local residents to make a living without depending on childand are planning to extend it to other African nations as well.

started this activity in Malawi and Tanzania in Africa in 2007 andlabor, this program implements measures to improve the qual-

We will continue to improve this program in cooperation withZambia, also in Africa, in 2010. We have so far planted around

The JT Group will continue to conduct activities that contribute

ity of life for whole families.

NGOs, international organizations and relevant governments.

16 million trees on a total of some 8,000 hectares of land. Into environmental preservation, including forest conservation,

addition to planting trees, we also educate local residents aboutand sustainable community development in tobacco leaf pro-For example, the program seeks to improve productivity byducing regions.

We Will Continue to Expand the ARISE Program – JTI official
in charge of the ARISE program
JTI has developed the ARISE program in order to resolve social and economic problems faced by leaf tobacco
growing communities and correct the situation in which children have to do dangerous jobs. As child labor involves
complex problems, we cannot find a solution without cooperating with organizations that have international experiences, such as the ILO and Winrock International. Therefore, we encourage tobacco leaf growing communities
to achieve economic independence by creating opportunities for people to receive high-quality education and byraising awareness about the need to prevent child labor in cooperation with governments and local residents. In
Brazil and Malawi, these activities drew a very favorable reaction. In 2012, we will start a survey in Zambia.

Tanzania
T
Peggy Herrmann-Ljubicic

ZambiaA simplified pump installed at a well11CSR Report 2012Malawi

Corporate Affairs &Communications Manager
Global Leaf

Reforestation and forest conservation areas in Africa

CSR Report 201212