Environment

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Society

Governance

SoftBank Group History

Even as our business continues to evolve, our vision remains unchanged.

Founding of the company
and rise of the PC

Supporting the benefitsof broadband in Japan

PC software

Promotinginformation-oriented society

Enriching lives through mobile
communications business

Internet and broadband

Becoming a capital provider driving
the Information Revolution

Mobile broadband

Data / AI

Our vision remains unchanged: Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone
Our business continues to evolve

1981 [Foundation]

1996

2001

2006

2014

2019

Started as a distributor of
packaged software for PCs

Established Yahoo Japan
Corporation through joint
investment with Yahoo! Inc.
in the U.S.

Launched “Yahoo! BB,”a comprehensive broadband
commercial service

Acquired Vodafone K.K.
Entered mobile
communications business“Pepper” is born

Announced launch of
new technology fund
focused on Latin America

2004

2013

Acquired JAPAN TELECOM CO., LTD.
Entered fixed-line
telecommunications business

Acquired Sprint, a U.S.
telecommunications company

1994
Established SoftBank Holdings Inc.
in the U.S. to invest strategically inInternet-related companies

Sustainability Report 2021

2000
Made strategic investment
in Alibaba

2016
Acquired UK-based
Arm, looking aheadto the IoT era

2019
Launched“SoftBank Vision Fund 2”

2017

2020

Launched“SoftBank Vision Fund 1”

Completed merger ofSprint and T-Mobile1

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Environment

Society

Governance

Message from the Chairman & CEO

Guided by our corporate philosophy,“Information Revolution — Happiness for everyone,”
the SoftBank Group continues to grow and advancetoward its aim of becoming the corporate groupmost needed by people around the world.
Concerns over climate change, the widening of economic, racial and gender inequality and otherchallenges are becoming increasingly global and are threatening not only companies, but theperpetuity of humankind itself. The spread of COVID-19 has also impacted global economic
activities and the lives of people around the world on an unimaginable scale.
Even under such circumstances, we should not give up on hope for the future. Our history showsthat humanity can utilize its collective wisdom and do its utmost to solve any issue when confronted
by a crisis. During this pandemic, the use of technology has likely increased in every industry sector.
I believe the SoftBank Group will continue to help solve global challenges and support the sustainabilityof humankind and the planet by continuously leading the Information Revolution to accelerateinnovation that drives technological evolution.
Our corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution — Happiness for everyone,” embodies ourdetermination to bring happiness to everyone, even to future generations 300 years from now.
To create a world where people can live in harmony with the earth and realize a sustainable society,
the SoftBank Group will fulfill its responsibilities as the leader of the Information Revolution.

Masayoshi Son
Representative Director, Corporate Officer, Chairman & CEO

Sustainability Report 2021

2

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Environment

Society

Governance

About the SoftBank Group

Corporate Philosophy

Segment Information
Segments

Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone

Main businesses

To become the world’s most essential
corporate group
The SoftBank Group’s aim is to contribute to people’s happiness through theInformation Revolution, and to become “the corporate group needed mostby people around the world.” To achieve its vision, the SoftBank Group willcontinue to concentrate its operations in the information industry, andadvance the Information Revolution through investments in leading
technologies essential to the times and the businesses driving innovation.

Cluster of No. 1 Strategy
The SoftBank Group is endeavoring to form a corporate group that willcontinue to grow for the next 300 years by implementing the Cluster of No. 1
Strategy, our unique strategy for adapting to the changing times bycontinuing to change ourselves. The goal of the Cluster of No. 1 Strategy is
to form a diverse group of companies that have outstanding technologies
and business models in specific fields and encourage them to generatesynergies so that they can grow together as the SoftBank Group. Building acluster of leading companies has the advantages of increasing overall
competitiveness and making it easier to reshuffle group companies throughflexible group management.

Net sales(Billions of yen)

Investment Business of Holding
Companies*1

VisionSustainability Report 2021

Core companies

Investment activities by SoftBank Group Corp.
and its subsidiaries

SVF1 and Other SBIA-Managed
Funds*1
Main businesses
Investment activities by SVF1 and SVF2

SoftBank Group Corp.
SoftBank Group Capital Limited
SoftBank Group Japan
Corporation
SB Northstar LP

5,628.2
5,238.9
205.8

238.6
209.8

197.1

SB Investment Advisers (UK)
Limited
SoftBank Vision Fund L.P.
SoftBank Vision Fund II-2 L.P.

SoftBank
Main businesses
Provision of mobile communications
services, sale of mobile devices, andprovision of broadband and other fixedline communications services in Japan

SoftBank Corp.
Z Holdings Corporation

5,204.4
4,862.5

Internet advertising and e-commercebusiness

Arm
Main businesses
Design of microprocessor intellectual
property and related technology

Arm Limited

Sale of software tools and provisionof related services-26.4
Investment Business of Holding Companies*
Arm
Other*2
Reconciliations

1

SVF1 and Other SBIA-Managed Funds*

1

SoftBank

’19

-24.6
’20

(FY)

*1 Net sales are not recorded for this segment as it is not engaged in the sale of goods and services.
*2 Other includes the business results from PayPay Corporation, Fortress Investment Group LLC, SoftBank Latin America Fund,and Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp.

3

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Environment

Society

Governance

Table of Contents / Editorial Policy

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group
Editorial policy
P.1

SoftBank Group History

P.2

Message from the Chairman & CEO

P.3

About the SoftBank Group

P.4

Table of Contents/Editorial Policy

P.5

Message from the
Chief Sustainability Officer

P.9

Feature 1

ESG Initiatives as a Strategic
Investment Holding Company

P.6

Sustainability of the
SoftBank Group

P.13

Feature 2

Our Response to COVID-19

P.15

Feature 3

SoftBank Group’s Resilience
Further Strengthened during the
COVID-19 Pandemic

P.8

Communication with
Stakeholders

The purpose of this report is to communicate the SoftBank Group’sgroup-wide sustainability activities to stakeholders.
By describing the policies and systems in each field and theactivities of each Group company in line with the categories ofEnvironment, Society, and Governance (ESG), the report conveys amore comprehensive picture of the Group’s sustainability activities.
In addition, among the activities during the fiscal year under review,
those we consider to be of particular importance are introduced as“Features.”
Target scope
SoftBank Group Corp. and its Group companies*1Environment
P.18

P.19

P.29

New Office Aiming to Transform Work-styles
P.30

P.22

Promotion of a Decarbonized Society throughthe Energy Businesses

P.23

Promotion of Circular Economy
Enhancing Employee Awareness

P.24

Society
P.25

Respect for Human Rights

P.26

Human Rights Policy	Improving Awareness of Human Rights

Safety Measures in the Event of an Emergency,
including a Pandemic
P.31

Principles for Information Security

Committees
P.37

	Evaluation of the Effectiveness of theBoard of Directors
Approach and Policies on Group Management

Information Security Measures
P.44

	Portfolio Company Governance andInvestment Guidelines Policy
P.38

Supplier Code of Conduct
P.39

Group Compliance Structure	Ethics & Compliance Helpline (Internal
Reporting System)

P.40

Educational/Awareness Programs

Organizational Measures

Notation of company names
The notations of company names have the following definitions
unless otherwise stated.
Notation

Definition

SoftBank Group Corp. or
the Company

SoftBank Group Corp.

The SoftBank Group or
the Group

SoftBank Group Corp. and its Group
companies*1

SoftBank Vision Fund 1 or SVF1

SoftBank Vision Fund L.P. and its
alternative investment vehicles

SoftBank Vision Fund 2 or SVF2

SoftBank Vision Fund II-2 L.P. and its
alternative investment vehicles

SoftBank Vision Funds

A collective term for SoftBank Vision
Fund 1 and 2

SBIA

SB Investment Advisers (UK) Limited

SoftBank Latin America Fund

SoftBank Latin America
Fund L.P.

Personnel Measures

SprintSprint Corporation

Major External ESG Evaluations

Alibaba

Alibaba Group Holding Limited(former Alibaba.com Corporation)

Arm

Arm Limited

T-Mobile

T-Mobile US, Inc.

Physical Measures
Technical Measures

Compliance
SoftBank Group Code of Conduct

Advancement of Women in the Workplace

Sustainability Report 2021

Information Security
	Information Security Governance
Structure

Diversity & Inclusion

Support for LGBTQ Employees

Non-financial Risks

Audit & Supervisory Board Members

Support System for Career Realization

Advancement of Promotion of People with
Disabilities

Financial Risks

P.36

Human Resources Strategy

Support and Promotion of Appreciation of
Foreign Employees	Responses to Risks Surrounding theCompany

P.43



Identifying Risks
Responding to Risks

Corporate GovernanceYear and month of publication
September 2021 (previously published in December 2020)

Risk Management Initiatives

Board Directors

Development of Professionals

P.28

Participation in Our Community

Corporate Governance System

Training to Raise Awareness of Human Rights

Professional Recruitment and Career Development

P.42

Period covered
Fiscal 2020 (April 2020 to March 2021)*2

Guidelines referenced
GRI Standards
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

P.35

Stakeholder Engagement
P.27

	Group Risk and Compliance Committee(GRCC)

Governance
P.34

Risk Management
Risk Management System

Employee Engagement
Identifying and Addressing Labor Risks

Specific Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Promotion of a Decarbonized Society throughInitiatives

Anti-corruption Initiatives
P.41

Industrial Safety and Health

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

P.21

Group Policies

Work-style Reform

Environmental Initiatives
Environmental Policy
Efforts to Address Climate Change

Creating a Supportive Working Environment

P.45

Corporate Data

*1 I n principle, Group companies indicate subsidiaries of SoftBank Group
Corp. and may include some associates depending on the description.
*2 This report includes some activities outside this period.

4

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Environment

Society

Governance

Message from the Chief Sustainability Officer

Message from the
Chief Sustainability Officer

Yoshimitsu Goto
Board Director, Corporate Officer,
Senior Vice President, CFO, CISO & CSusO

Corporate ESG initiatives are becoming increasingly significant amid emerging global risks,such as the spread of COVID-19, that see no end in sight and a rising number of natural
disasters in recent years caused by extreme global weather conditions.
Recognizing their significance, SoftBank Group Corp. built an internal foundation andenhanced information disclosure in fiscal 2020 to further strengthen ESG initiatives. In June
2020, I was appointed as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSusO), and we established our
Sustainability Committee. Since then, we have gained a better understanding of the ESG
initiatives that had been undertaken separately by each Group company, discussed them at
the management level, and began establishing Group-wide policies and targets.
On the environmental front, our major subsidiaries have already taken proactive measures
to fight climate change, such as expanding renewable energy businesses and setting targets
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We believe that now is the time to take more
concrete action, and in fiscal 2020, we achieved carbon neutrality. In the future, we will takefurther steps, such as defining climate-related group targets, as we work to reduce theenvironmental impact of the entire Group.

Sustainability Report 2021

Also, as one of our key initiatives as an investment company, we revised the “Portfolio
Company Governance and Investment Guidelines Policy” to incorporate ESG perspectives
into our investment process in May 2021. We made it clear that both opportunities and risks
arising from environmental and social factors should be evaluated within the investment andmonitoring process. In the same manner, as we meet the expectations and demands ofinvestors and other stakeholders and enhance our ESG initiatives, we believe that proactively
encouraging our portfolio companies to take ESG initiatives will contribute significantly tothe sustainable development of society as a whole and the sustainable development of theGroup. Going forward, we will formulate specific implementation plans to evaluate
opportunities and risks at each of our investment business subsidiaries.
We are now at the implementation stage to realize our ESG goals and policies. In addition
to further enhancing nonfinancial information disclosure, we will strive to strengthen our
ESG initiatives throughout the Group so that we can report our progress to investors andother stakeholders.

5Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Environment

Society

Governance

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Sustainability VisionHelp shape the next 300 years for our future generations and the planet
The SoftBank Group’s philosophy, “Information Revolution — Happiness for everyone” embodies our determination to bring happiness to everyone,even to future generations 300 years from now. To create a world where people can live in harmony with the earth, the SoftBank Group will fulfill our
responsibility as leader in the Information Revolution to realize a sustainable society.

Sustainability Principles
characteristics of and social demands of each Group company. We have also defined six
activity themes for the Group to promote its sustainability initiatives autonomously.

SoftBank Group Corp. sets “The SoftBank Group Sustainability Principles” as a guideline
for the Group to appropriately advance sustainability activities. Based on the principles, we
h a v e i d e n t i f i e d m a t e r i a l i s s u e s ( S t r a t e g i c M a t e r i a l I s s u e s ) re f l e c t i n g t h e b u s i n e s s

1

Drive sustainable growth and innovation in society byuniting wisdom and knowledge

2

Take responsibility by responding to emerging issues thatcome with technological advancement

3

Ensure the growth of the future generations and ourbusiness by creating higher quality employment for all

4

Leverage breakthrough technologies to resolve
environmental issues, including energy problems

5

Demonstrate highly transparent governance and integrity
to win further trust of our stakeholders

6

Maximize our potential as a group by joining forces withpeople around the world to make a positive impact on society

Strategic Material Issues *1(Top priority)

Strategic Material Issues
Eight Strategic Material Issues to be prioritized● Climate Strategy● Human Capital Development● Corporate Governance● Anti-corruption● Labor Standards

Importance to stakeholders

Six activity themes – Our direction● Social Supply Chain●●
Innovation
Management● Privacy and Data
Security● Corporate Citizenship● Market Opportunity●
Sustainable Finance● Human Rights● Pollution and Resources●● Environmental Supply Chain● Risk Management● Access to
Communication● Health and Safety●●

Importance to the Group●(Top priority)*1 Colors indicate the six activity themes.

Sustainability Report 2021

6

Environment

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Society

Governance

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Identifying Material Issues (Strategic Material Issues)
SoftBank Group Corp. classified issues to beaddressed from two perspectives: the importance tostakeholders and to the Group. Among these issues,
we identified eight key issues as Strategic MaterialIssues that should be addressed with priority. As forthe importance to the Group, issues in the major
business sectors in which the Group is engaged are
analyzed to determine the order of priority.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Identification of Issues

Materiality Analysis

Identification of Material Issues

Identify social issues

Analyze the importance of social issues tostakeholders and the Group

Identify the Strategic Material Issues that
the Group should address in the society

Analyze importance from two perspectives:“importance to stakeholders” and “importance to
the Group.”

Identify Strategic Material Issues the Group must
address with a particular priority.

Refer to external guidelines and the opinions ofexperts to identify social issues in the social andbusiness environments surrounding the Group’s
main business sectors.

Sustainability Governance Structure
In promoting sustainability, SoftBank Group Corp. has appointed Yoshimitsu Goto, Board Director,
Corporate Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as its Chief Sustainability
Officer (CSusO). Our aim is to achieve more competitive management by examining risks andopportunities from both financial and non-financial perspectives. We also established the“Sustainability Committee,” which is chaired by the CSusO and composed primarily of Corporate
Officers as its members, to collaborate with related departments and major subsidiaries depending on
the agenda. The Committee regularly discusses important ESG issues surrounding the Group and its
promotion policies, by taking into account the requests from our stakeholders. Also, the content of
the discussions are reported to the Board of Directors.
During fiscal 2020, the Committee met in October 2020 and March 2021. Discussions covered
future action policies regarding an active response to climate change; responsibility for human rights;
responsibility for corporate transactions, including the supply chain and portfolio companies; theintegration of ESG into the investment process; and other important issues for the Group.

Initiatives for the SDGs
SoftBank Group Corp. aims to realize a society where people all over the world can live happily andprosperously. Together with the Group companies that conduct business globally, we will work tocontribute to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing the six activity
themes identified in our Sustainability Principles.

Sustainability Report 2021

Sustainability governance structure
Board of Directors of SoftBank Group Corp.
Instruct / supervise

ReportSustainability Committee

Instruct /supervise

Chairperson: Chief Sustainability Officer(CSusO)

Secretariat
Sustainability Promotion Group
Related departments

Respond /reportCooperate

Major subsidiaries

P.31

P.28

P.32

P.32
P.33

P.24

P.21

P.28

P.28

P.31

P.22

P.32

P.32

P.32

P.33

P.33

P.23

P.19
P.20
P.21
P.22
P.32

7

Sustainability of the SoftBank Group

Environment

Society

GovernanceCommunication with Stakeholders

The SoftBank Group builds relationships of trust through communication with stakeholders surrounding the Group,
including shareholders/creditors, customers, business partners, employees, governments/administrative agencies and local
communities, and will incorporate their perspectives into our corporate activities.
Shareholders andStakeholders

creditors of the Group

Shareholders/
creditors
Customers who use theGroup’s products andservices

Shareholders/Creditors

Business partners of
the Group

Business
partners

Customers

Society
Employees

Employees of the Groupand their families

Governments/
Administrative agencies
Local communities
NPOs, NGOs, etc.

administrative agencies,
NPOs, NGOs, and otherswith whom we haveA
 nnual General Meeting of Shareholders, earnings
results briefings, investor briefings, etc.
E ngagement with institutional investors (668 cases
in FY2020)
Publication of Annual Reports, Sustainability
Reports, Reports to Shareholders, etc.
E xpansion of information on the websiteP ublication of press releases and notices

Related content in this report
P.9

E SG Initiatives as a Strategic
Investment Holding Company

SoftBank Group’s Resilience Further
Strengthened during the COVID-19
Pandemic
P.34 Corporate Governance
P.15

P.41

ComplianceRisk Management

P.45

M ajor External ESG EvaluationsO ur Response to COVID-19

P.38

Customers

Establishment of the inquiry counter
Expansion of information on the website
Communication through social media, etc.

P.13

Business partners

E stablishment and dissemination of the Supplier
Code of Conduct
Information sharing through our website, Annual
Reports and Sustainability Reports

P.18

EmployeesH olding employee roundtable (twice a year)C onducting employee satisfaction surveys (once ayear)
E stablishment of an internal reporting system/
helplines

P.27

Governments/
administrative
agenciesP olicy proposals and other activities through industry
associations, etc.
-O peration of the Renewable Energy Council and
the GDC Renewable Energy Council- Participation in Japan Climate Initiative

P.21

Local
communitiesP articipation in local communities easures against COVID-19, development of local-M
human resources, support for disaster-stricken
areas, etc.

P.13

O
 ur Response to COVID-19

P.31

P articipation in Our Community

NPOs andNGOsC onducting social contribution activities- Implementation of collaborative projects such as
the next generation leader development program

P.31

P articipation in Our Community

Society

Governments/
local communities,

Communication opportunities and content*1

Environmental PolicyH uman Rights Policy
P.18 P.25 P.38
Supplier Code of Conduct

P.25

Human Resources Strategy
Diversity & Inclusion
P.29 Creating a Supportive Working
EnvironmentP.30 Industrial Safety and HealthP.39 Ethics & Compliance Helpline(Internal Reporting System)
P.28

P romotion of a Decarbonized Society
through Initiatives*1 Describes information related to SoftBank Group Corp.

relationships throughour business activities

Sustainability Report 2021

8

Disclaimers
This report provides relevant information about the Group and does not constitute or form any solicitation of investment, including any
offer to buy or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction.
This report contains forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding the Group, such as statements about the Group’s futurebusiness and future position, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for the Group. None of the Group nor its management gives
any assurance that the estimates expressed in these forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct, and actual results or
performance could materially differ from expectations.

Inquiries
SoftBank Group Corp.
https://group.softbank/en/contact

SoftBank Group Corp.
https://group.softbank/en/
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