SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

The entire cover of this report is a designated image for KazashiteBokin. Please refer to pages 4–5 for details.

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SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

CEO Message

03

About the SoftBank GroupThe SoftBank Group will drive the Information Revolution with cutting-edge technology and a superior business modelthat meet the needs of today’s information industry, which is the Group’s business domain.

Information Revolution –Happiness for everyone
Masayoshi Son
SoftBank Group Representative

The SoftBank Group has been contributing to people and society ever since it was founded, guided by the
corporate philosophy “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone.”
During the 200,000-year history of modern humans, there have been three great revolutions: the­agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, and the information revolution. Among these, thei­nformation revolution has had a most profound impact. This massive tide of change is expected to keep
rolling forward, and we will continue to strive in the midst of it. At the same time, we also intend to keep
contributing as a corporate group to people and societies around the world through our businesses.
Under the SoftBank Group CSR Principles, we have been taking action on the key themes of building ahealthy Internet society, cultivating the next generation that has dreams and aspirations, protecting the­planet’s future through environmental protection, and supporting the reconstruction of areas affectedby the Great East Japan Earthquake. In doing so, we have built a foundation of trust with all of our­stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, business partners, and employees.

Corporate name

SoftBank Corp.

Founded

September 3, 1981

Business Segments and Main Group Companies(FY2013)

Corporate headquarters
1-9-1 Higashi-Shimbashi,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7303

Number of associates
105 (including 60 overseas associates)

Mobile Communications Segment
SoftBank Mobile Corp.
eAccess Ltd.
WILLCOM, Inc.
Wireless City Planning Inc.
Brightstar Corp.
GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc.
Supercell Oy

Number of employees
185 (consolidated base: 70,336)

Sprint Segment
Sprint Corporation

Representative

Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO

Capital238,772 million yen

Subsidiaries

756 (including 616 overseas associates)

As of March 31, 2014

Breakdown of Consolidated Net Sale
■ Mobile Communications■ Sprint

Total

6,666.7Billion(FY2013)

3,165.5
2,601.0■ Fixed-line Telecommunications

548.1■ Internet Culture

399.9(billions of yen)Fixed-line Telecommunications Segment
SoftBank Telecom Corp.
SoftBank BB Corp.
Internet Segment
Yahoo Japan Corporation
OthersFukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp.
SB Energy Corp.
Bloom Energy Japan Ltd.
* eAccess merged with WILLCOM on June 1, 2014 and changed its company
name to Ymobile Corporation on July 1, 2014.

SoftBank Group CSR Principles

We have also been motivated by a higher purpose, which is to relieve sadness from as many people as
we can and bring them more happiness. We want to help people connect with each other so that we canbring more happiness to as many people in the world as possible.

The SoftBank Group has an important social responsibility as an operator of high-speed broadband networks to

Therefore, we strive to create innovative services through the information revolution to bring richness andjoy to people’s lifestyles and to continue to develop together with people all over the world. To do so is our
mission and our delight. This is the source of the SoftBank Group’s aspirations.

growth. We work to provide an environment where employees can grow by taking on challenges and feel a sense of

We will continue to grow and evolve, and we will continue to work diligently in our daily business a­ ctivities,
dedicating ourselves to providing solutions to problems in society that only SoftBank Group can answer.

Contents
02 CEO Message
03 About the SoftBank GroupSoftBank Group CSR Principles

04 Creating Communities Where Everyone Can
Work Together

04 KazashiteBokin: Japan’s First Donation
Platform		SoftBank Mobile began providing KazashiteBokin—Japan’s first donation platform in
March 2014. Smartphone users who haveinstalled the app can make ongoing donations
to non-profit organizations (NPOs) by holding
their phones up to a designated image.** ‌If you download the KazashiteBokin app andhold your smartphone up to the cover of this CSR
Report (whole cover), or to pages 4–5, you canmake an ongoing donation to various NPOs
active in and outside Japan.

06 Support for Reconstruction of Areas

Affected by the Great East Japan
Earthquake
06 Charity White		Ongoing Support for Children in
Japan’s Tohoku Region
		Charity White is an optional service begun inAugust 2011, through which the SoftBank
Group provides ongoing support for children
in the Tohoku region of Japan.

09 TOUR de TOHOKU		A tour by bicycle provides a sense of
the “current reality” of the disasteraffected areas and helps to preserve
the memory of the earthquake forthe future.
		Yahoo Japan started this cycling event in fiscal
2013 to support reconstruction of areas
affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

11 Always Striving for Safety and Security
12 Nurturing Hopes and Dreams
14 Environment
16 Disaster Readiness Measures
16 Disaster Readiness Measures within the
SoftBank Group

17 Diverse Needs
20 Topics
22 SoftBank Group CSR Activities—Results of
FY2013 and Plan for FY2014

Reporting Period: April 2013–March 2014
Reporting Scope: SoftBank Group (Consolidated
subsidiaries inside Japan)­provide information as a lifeline. To fulfill this mission, the Group strives to contribute to society by placing priority on
customers’ happiness. We also aim to meet our shareholders’ expectations by challenging ourselves to achieve future
fulfillment and pride, while ensuring that our business partners can prosper together with us through mutual trust andinnovation. We will continue to contribute to realizing a society where the dream and vision of a healthy Internet
society can be sustained for future generations.

Do We:

Provide…

We at the SoftBank Group want to be a company that grows
together with our stakeholders through our business activities,
based on the corporate philosophy of “Information Revolution –Happiness for everyone.” To achieve this, we ask ourselves thefollowing questions:

opportunities for new challenges and personal growth, an environment that stimulates diversity, and fair recognition of efforts
and results?
The SoftBank Group nurtures its
employees’ motivation and pride.

Create…

Build…

excitement and surprises, user friendliness and reliability, and joy
for everyone?
The SoftBank Group stays
customer-focused.

mutual trust, fair relationships, and partnerships leading toinnovation?
The SoftBank group evolves together
with business partners.

Maintain…

Promote…

a relentless pursuit of growth, a robust and transparent management, and fair and timely disclosure?
The SoftBank Group strives to meet its
shareholders’ expectations.

a healthy Internet society, the dreams and ambitions of the next
generation, and the future of our planet?
The SoftBank Group contributes to abrighter society.

The SoftBank Group is moving ahead in business,with high aspirations for tomorrow’s Internet society.

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SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

Creating Communities Where Everyone Can Work Together

05

View video here:

KazashiteBokin: Japan’s First Donation Platform*1(Japanese only)

The non-profit Japan Fundraising Association has a vision of creating a society that receives over ¥10 trillion a yearof an organization that advocates innovation in the donation

talking about their favorite NPOs as possible.

in the donations market by 2020. We talked with association president Masataka Uo about his assessment of the­culture, what is your opinion of the KazashiteBokin platform?

Ikeda: On the point of partnering with NPOs, we are envisioning

Uo: KazashiteBokin allows people to contribute to society in a fun

ways of using the platform to help generate solutions for issues

way using the image recognition function on their smartphone,that are unique to each community. For example, we have an

and as a pipeline connecting people who want to donate withidea for a system that would allow people who use Kazashite-

KazashiteBokin—A New Stage in Japan’s
Giving Culture

NPOs that need donations, I consider it a highly innovative system

Bokin to participate directly in the activities of NPOs, such as those

without precedent in any country. Text, images and other creativethat provide programs that allow children living in urban areas toIkeda: What is the current state of fundraising in Japan and what

content preregistered by participating NPOs are recognized by aexperience nature.

are some of the issues it faces?

smartphone app, which then accesses the donation sites of the

Uo: That’s a great idea. Right now, Japan is at the forefront in

Uo: Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, more and more people

organizations to enable users to make a donation. This service isseeking solutions to emerging challenges such as educational

have been seeking to contribute to their communities. According

the first of its kind in Japan.*1 From this standpoint as well, one

issues and an aging society coupled with a falling birthrate, but

to a survey conducted in 2012 by the Cabinet Office,* 76.9% of

could say that the platform has continued on from ­Charity White

these challenges cannot be overcome within existing frameworks

respondents indicated that they had donated to an organization.

and represents a new stage in Japan’s giving culture.

alone. Neither can they be solved by public agencies, the private-

In addition, respondents indicating a “strong interest” or “interest”

Ikeda: Thank you. We truly have the sense that new possibilities

sector or NPOs alone. The solutions require all the participants toin NPOs increased to over 50% after the disaster. However, evenfor mobiles have emerged. Industries, educational institutions andgo beyond existing frameworks and innovate. In this sense, newthough people want to help, there may not be an opportunity.

other organizations that had few points of contact previously are

donation platforms like KazashiteBokin that use smartphone apps

There is no sense of accomplishment when fundraising consists only

now talking with us about collaborations that go beyond theare highly unique and could spark new solutions. The ways ofof dropping money in a donation box and bank transfers can beframework of donations.

utilizing apps are almost endless and the potential is determined­KazashiteBokin fundraising platform released by SoftBank Mobile in March 2014 and its potential for the future.

Masataka Uo
President
Japan Fundraising Association
After serving in the Japan International­Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Community
Shares USA, established the fundraising strategy
consulting company FUNDREX Co., Ltd. Involved
with the founding of the Japan Fundraising
Association. Completed a Master of Nonprofit
Organizations at Case Western Reserve University in the U.S., and graduated from The Fund
Raising School of Indiana University-Purdue
University Indianapolis. Currently active throughout Japan in consulting for NPOs and public
interest corporations, and organizing training andlecture programs, with the vision of realizing asociety where donations exceed ¥10 trillion
annually by 2020. Author of Fandoreijingu ga
Shakai wo Kaeru (“Fundraising Can Change
Society”) and others.

Masato Ikeda
General Manager
CSR Planning Department
SoftBank Mobile Corp.

troublesome for some people. So I believe what people want is tobe able to make donations through a more accessible system in an
enjoyable way.
Moreover, since the earthquake, NPOs have started to shift

Japan Fundraising Association
The Japan Fundraising Association was established in 2009 by the agreement of 580
founding members from all of Japan’s 47 prefectures with the vision of realizing a society
where donations exceed ¥10 trillion annually by 2020. As an NPO for fundraisers fromprivate-sector NPOs and people concerned with donations and other social contributions,the association is active in operating a certified fundraisers program, the annual Fundraising Japan event, and “Learning to Give” workshops for children, as well as publishing“Giving Japan” whitepapers about donations, and other activities.

by our ingenuity. I look forward to seeing how they are used

Mobile Users Partnering with NPOsCan Help Solve Problems
Ikeda: What are your expectations for the KazashiteBokinaway from the belief that doing good work will bring in publicplatform?

support. The new thinking is that much greater support is

Uo: It would be great if there were a system where­possible by bringing together large numbers of people, materials,

donors could receive a note from an NPO when theyand organizations and then thinking together on how to solve

make repeated donations through KazashiteBokin. It

various issues.

would be even better if the note came with words of

Ikeda: Certainly in our case it was after the earthquake that we

thanks as well as stories that are moving or memo-

established the Charity White program for providing long-term

rable. Such a note would make donors feel rewarded

support for children in Tohoku together with our many participat-

and impart positive energy to their own lives. I hopeing customers. KazashiteBokin came about after that as a result of

the platform opens a door for smartphone users tothinking long and hard about how a platform might inspire evenmake donations and helps them to find their own

greater numbers of people to participate. So as the representative

favorite NPO. I also hope to see as many people

going forward.
* FY2011 Survey Report on the State of Specified Non-Profit Corporations and Use of the
System for Specified Non-Profit Corporations.

The app can be downloaded here:

Creating Communities Where Eve ryone Can Work Together
KazashiteBokin

KazashiteBokin
SoftBank Mobile began providing the KazashiteBokin platform toMany NPOs currently cite fundraising as a major issue in being

allow people to make donations with their monthly service charges.

able to conduct sustainable activities. By operating this platform toservice charges directly from the websites of NPOs participating in

Smartphone users who have installed the special free app can makesupport NPOs on an ongoing basis, SoftBank Mobile provides

KazashiteBokin.*3

ongoing donations by simply holding their phones up to the poster or­opportunities for individuals to contribute to society by donating toflyer of a participating organization.*2 KazashiteBokin is Japan’s firstorganizations they wish to support.

donation platform* provided by a mobile carrier as a part of its social
1

Customers can also make donations paid together with their mobile*1 According to research by the Japan Fundraising Association (as of March 5, 2014).
*2 Donations can be limited to one time only by removing the check from “Monthly Donation.”*3 Non-SoftBank Mobile smartphone users are required to pay by credit card.

contribution activities.
If you download KazashiteBokin app and hold your smartphone up to the area inside brackets () on this page, or to the cover of this CSR Report (whole cover), you can makean ongoing donation to various NPOs active in and outside of Japan.

Easy to use—just hold your smartphone
up to a poster or flier

Donation is paid together
with mobile phoneservice charges*4
One payment!

More details can be found here:(Japanese only)*4 Non-SoftBank Mobile
smartphone users are
required to enter a credit
card number and otherdetails to pay by credit
card. No receipts can beissued for donations.

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SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

Support for Reconstruction of Areas Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

View video here:

Charity White(Japanese only)

Ongoing Support for Children in Japan’s Tohoku Region

Donations have totaled Charity White

Charity White is an optional service to SoftBank customers begun on August 1, 2011, through which the
SoftBank Group and its customers can provide ongoing support for children in Japan’s Tohoku region.
Donations go to the Central Community Chest of Japan, the organizer of the Charity White Project,* which
supports the NPO Toybox. We talked with NPO Toybox representative director Tomoko Shirai about theactivities of the Minamisoma Learning Center and the organization’s future plans.
* A program that provides support for specific local organizations conducting local community-based activities in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake to help the children there to grow up
with hopes and dreams.

Tomoko Shirai
Representative Director,
NPO Toybox
Principal, Smile Factory
In 2003 established Japan’s first public-private
school and counseling center for children who
had stopped attending school. Following theGreat East Japan Earthquake, established theMinamisoma Learning Center, also known as
the “Stepping into the Future School,” toprovide support for children with developmental disabilities in the city of Minamisoma.
Serves on the Cabinet Office’s Council on the
Promotion of “New Public Commons,” and on
the Subcommittee for Promotion of ExperienceBased Learning Activities for Youths of the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology’s Central Council for Education,
among others.

(As of July 25, 2014)¥ 614,500,454

the facility opened its doors, some students were on the verge ofsystem for providing support on an ongoing basis, we are very

graduating and would have to leave the center. They expressed a

grateful as an organization that intends to be involved in thedesire to continue to attend even after entering junior highregion for the long term. For this reason, we are constantly aware

school, saying they had finally found a place where they belonged

that we need to use the support we receive wisely.

and didn’t want to lose it. However, there were issues with the

Our main issue right now is how to continue our current activi-

center’s size, funding, and acceptance policies, so it was not able

ties. As one of the results of these activities over these past two

to accommodate the children’s requests.

years, the children appear to have become much more relaxed

New Center Established and Target Age Range
Expanded with Funding from Charity White

Around that time, we received notice from the screening com-and able to think about others when they act. Their grades atmittee of the Central Community Chest of Japan that our centerschool have improved and this is giving them more confidence.

The Minamisoma Learning Center—“Stepping into the Future

had been selected as its first recipient of funds from Charity White.

However, the environment surrounding the children is still fraught

School” is a facility that seeks to provide educational support

Thanks to this support, the decision was made in May 2014 towith difficulties. This is why ongoing support is such a necessity.

and mental health services for children with developmentalbuild a new center, and we will now be able to accept junior

Another issue is training the next generation of personnel.

­disabilities or those requiring mental healthcare in difficult

high school students and preschoolers in addition to elementary

Most people involved in this type of support evacuated the areas­conditions in affected areas affected by the Great East Japan

school students.

after the earthquake, and the percentage of people requiringsupport looks rather like a very tall inverse pyramid. Just the other

Eathquake. Since its establishment in January 2012, many­children have spent time together learning at the facility, which

How Can We Continue These Support Activities?

day, some of the children at the Learning Center told me theyhas provided learning methods and communication training

There is no doubt that people in the affected area have been

wanted to work hard, study, and someday become staff members

tailored to individual student needs.

heartened by this outpouring of support from a huge number ofat the center. For the sake of these children and others, we hopepeople who have joined with Charity White to help the children in

to steadily foster and train the next generation of personnel

Japan’s Tohoku region. Moreover, because Charity White is athrough long-term activities.

The center started with a capacity of 10 elementary school
students and now accommodates 22 children. Two years after

NPO Toybox (Japanese only)
NPO Toybox is engaged in providing support to children with developmental disabilities and those whohave stopped attending school, giving children with Down syndrome dance lessons that help themdevelop self-reliance, and undertaking other activities such as community planning and development.
The NPO works with experts from a variety of fields to realize a society where children with difficulties,
and their parents, can live healthy lives.

Charity White
Charity White is an initiative in which customers and the SoftBank

A special Charity White website has also been established to regu-

Group offer ongoing support of the children of Tohoku. The SoftBank

larly provide information on reconstruction efforts and the current

Group provides matching funds to the ¥10 extra that customers pay insituation in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The

addition to their basic monthly charges so that the total donation persite includes a section for the “Stepping into the Future School.”month comes to ¥20. Since the start of the service on August 1,
2011, the total number of donations made so far under the program
has reached 30,900,000, for a total donation of ¥614,500,454.*

We intend to continue partnering with our customers to provide
ongoing support for children in the region.
* As of July 25, 2014

Charity White is an optional service through which donations can be made to groups supporting children in areas affected by
the Great East Japan Earthquake. Customers pay an additional ¥10 on top of their basic monthly charges and Softbank
matches the amount so that a donation of ¥20 is made for each participating customer every month.

¥10
from You¥10

from Softbank

07

Total

¥20
/ MonthFor support andreconstruction
in affected
areas

Grant to Residents Mutual Support Project Launched as aPart of the Disaster Relief Volunteer & NPO Support Fund
Organized by the Central Community Chest of Japan.

(Japanese only)(Japanese only)

The Central Community Chest of Japan established the Collective

since the major earthquake. However, because of painful memories­Community Support Funding Program in April 2013 to help localof the tsunami, some children feel too anxious to swim in the ocean

residents support the progress of their reconstruction efforts byor to even get close, and it was decided to hold a ­parent-child day

providing them with funding. Grants of up to ¥100,000 per appli-at the pool complex at Shidotaira Hot Springs. The children werecation are given. Among organizations receiving funding, Charity

hugely excited at enjoying waterslides for the first time. Even

White has been funding the full amount for activities for children

though there was a bit of rain, they had great fun climbing up the

implemented since July 2013.

stairs and sliding down over and over again. The parents, who are

The grants are being used in the affected areas to conduct a

normally very busy and don’t have the opportunity to converse withwide variety of activities, including summer festivals, sports events,

each other, also enjoyed talking together. The event helped toand Christmas parties for children organized by temporary housing

strengthen the bonds between parents and children and within thecommunity associations. Thus, in addition to activities for children

community as well. The day was organized by the Children’s Asso-organized by NPOs and volunteer groups, Charity White donations

ciation, whose activities had been suspended since the earthquake,also support activities for children run by local residents who them-and have now been able to resume thanks to everyone’s support. It

selves have been affected by the disaster.

is sincerely appreciated. Thank you.

Activities Report from the Takai Children’s Association of
Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture
The district of Takai in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, has been

More details can be found here:

Charity White Report Page on Facebook

home to the prefecture’s only beach where swimming is permitted

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SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

video here:
Support for Reconstruction of Areas Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake View(Japanese
only)

Empowering Local High School Students in
Affected Areas for Their Future and Reconstruction

Support for Reconstruction of Areas Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

09

TOUR de TOHOKU

A tour by bicycle provides a sense of the “current reality”
of the disaster-affected areas and helps to preserve
the memory of the earthquake for the future
Manabu Miyasaka
President and CEO
Yahoo Japan Corporation

SHIMPO P­ UBLISHING CO. KAHOKU SHIMPO PUBLISHING had
organized a cycling race around Tohoku as part of efforts for reconstruction after the Second World War. After years of discontinuation, the event restarted as the “TOUR de TOHOKU” stage racefrom 1993 and continued for 15 years to 2008. During our conversation with ­President Ichiriki, we found that we were in agreementon the ­problems facing Tohoku and decided to reinstate the TOURde TOHOKU to help the earthquake reconstruction efforts.

Pedaling around Tohoku myself helped me to connect
with the spirit of the reconstruction there
Photography: Shunsuke Mizukami

On November 3, 2013, I biked around the 60-km course as an ordi-

Inception of TOUR de TOHOKU

nary participant in TOUR de TOHOKU 2013 in Miyagi Sanriku, theYahoo Japan is a “problem-solving engine” designed to use infor-

first reincarnation of an event that had been in hiatus in the wake ofmation technology to solve problems confronting individual people

the disaster. I was moved by the number of supporters on the side-

Softbank supports the TOMODACHI Initiative led by the U.S. Embassy

and society as a whole. The biggest problem facing Yahoo Japanlines of the course—far more than I had expected. Even if partici-

in Japan, the Japanese government, and the U.S.-Japan Council.

regarding the Great East Japan Earthquake is the reconstruction ofpants and volunteers from all around Japan simply returned to theirSince 2012, we have provided a training program for approximately

the Tohoku region. For this reason, we started by establishinghomes and talked about what they had seen and felt during TOUR

400 high school students in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefec-“FUKKO DEPARTMENT” (see page 10), which connects producers

de TOHOKU, I believe it would be a great benefit to the area.

TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Programtures, all regions affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In ain Tohoku with buyers all over Japan, and then established “Yahoo

three-week intensive program at the University of California at

We aim to continue holding the event for the next 10 years andIshinomaki Fukko Base” in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. Next,

we are also considering introducing a race, too, in the future. I

communities and encounter a foreign culture by meeting with entre-

just as we were thinking of creating a scheme to attract people

hope we can develop it into an event that people from all over thepreneurs, undertaking volunteer activities, participating in home-stays,

from all over Japan to the disaster-affected areas, we were fortu-

world who are interested in Tohoku reconstruction can come andand socializing with U.S. high school students. In this way, the pro-nate to have an opportunity to meet President Ichiriki of KAHOKU

enjoy together.

Overview of the TOUR de TOHOKU

Support the Reconstruction by Searching for “3.11”

The TOUR de TOHOKUTOUR de TOHOKU Facebook Page

To help preserve the memory of2013 in Miyagi S­ anriku,(Japanese Only)

the Great East Japan Earthquake­Berkeley, participants seek out ways that they can contribute to theirgram provides participants with the opportunity to think about theirown goals and how to achieve them.
Softbank Chairman & CEO Masayoshi Son went to the U.S. when
he was 16 years old and has said that experiencing a new culture andlifestyle dramatically changed his life. The program is conducted at
his alma mater, the University of California at Berkeley, and isintended to help many high school students take their first steps
toward achieving their dreams.

working in the region, who participated as judges.
The students giving the presentations offered a variety of ideas. One
team planned to work with local venture companies to conduct online
sales of local specialty products to help farmers and fishermen sufferingfrom the stigma attached to the region’s products. Another teamplanned a playground support program that would bring local children
together to play tag rugby, a long-running local tradition, with the goal

Initiatives of High School Students after Returning to JapanIn November 2013, around 100 high school students who had­participated in the program that year gathered again in Sendai. Theygave presentations on how they intended to utilize what they hadlearned in the intensive three-week program to help the region’s
reconstruction.
The seminar wasattended byaround 20 representatives fromNPOs and­private-sectorof helping children who lost their playgrounds when temporary housing
was erected on elementary school grounds and at public parks. The
students received advice from the judges and are now working to act on
the ideas they developed through their studies and training in the U.S.
High school students who participated in 2012 have partnered withthe first restoration of an earlier

and support the reconstruction

event, was held in the S­ anriku coastalof the disaster-affected areas,area of Miyagi ­Prefecture on November

Yahoo Japan conducted a cam-

3, 2013. The response was so positive

paign where it donated ¥10 tothat all positions in the event were

the Great East Japan Earthquake

filled 14 minutes after applications

Recovery Initiatives Foundation

were opened. Altogether, 1,316 participants rode around Tohoku. The

for every person who performed

second event is scheduled to be held in September 2014, with plans fora search for “3.11” on Yahoo! Search on March 11, 2014. Many

the major travel agency H.I.S. to launch the TOMOTRA project forproviding bus tours planned and administered by high school students.
The project was conceived out of a strong desire to bring new life toa larger number of participants andpeople cooperated with a total of 2,568,325 people (unique browsers)

enhancements to the course, the avail-searching for “3.11.” As a result, Yahoo Japan donated ¥25,683,250

able distances, and other aspects.

to the Great East Japan Earthquake Recovery Initiatives Foundation in

The proceeds from the event are

the city of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, which has seen its tourism

being used to assist in reviving cycling

numbers plummet since the earthquake. So far, 188 people* have

April 2014.
Yahoo! Search will continue to support Tohoku going forward.

tourism in the Tohoku area as well as

taken part in the tours.

to develop cycling lanes and otherinfrastructure.

* As of June 25, 2014

companies andMore details can be found here:

More details can be found here:

other specialists(Japanese only)(Japanese only)More details can be found here:

10

SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

View video here:

Support for Reconstruction of Areas Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Always Striving for Safety and Security

Widening the Circle of Support for the Reconstruction

Filtering App for Recommending IndividualizedChild Safety Measures

Charity Mobile Phones(Japanese only)

Yahoo! Anshin-net for SoftBank
the reconstruction have cited declining donations as a problem. In

ration by the Great East Japan Earthquake Recovery Initiatives Founda-

response, SoftBank Mobile will cover the communications-related costs

has given rise to more diverse ways to access Internet services and it istion by providing free mobile phones for loan at events held aroundfor event management on the condition that the management andmore important than ever to take safety measures in the home and to

Japan to support the recovery efforts

administration office for the event makes a donation to organizations

educate family members about safety.

from the earthquake. The project is

supporting the reconstruction. By increasing the number of charity

called “Charity Mobile Phones forevents making use of this system, SoftBank Mobile will help such

Anshin-net for SoftBank, a filtering app that restricts access to inappro-

Tohoku—Widen the Circle of Support

organizations to solve their problem.

priate web sites in order to help ensure safer, more secure smartphone

Yahoo Japan and SoftBank Mobile have teamed up to provide Yahoo!

use by juvenile customers. Parents can configure the app simply by

Three years on from the earthquake,many organizations working to support

More details can be found here:(Japanese only)

choosing the appropriate filtering mode for an elementary school student or junior-high school student based on their child’s age. The appthen blocks access to harmful sites with a high level of precision by

Support for Reconstruction of Areas Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Showcasing Local Specialties That Convey Local
Flavors of Tohoku to People All Over Japan

If you findyourself in thissituation,

try the Internet Safety Quiz.

• 21 questions
in all• Answer questions on
using the Internet

In addition, in February 2014 a new feature called Internet Safety Quiz
was added. This feature checks the level of children’s comprehension ofsafe Internet use with a 21-question quiz. Safety measures are thenpresented based on each child’s level of understanding. Through theBased on the results, we present somerecommended safety measures appropriate
for your child.

service, children are able to deepen their knowledge of safe Internet use
and the risks involved, helping them make more appropriate decisions.

Security Services

Web Filtering (WebUse Restriction Service)

Spam Mail
Blocking Measuresable for the experience and safety awareness of their children.

FUKKO DEPARTMENT is an online department store for bringing

the dedication of their producers, while working to develop indepen-

Tohoku’s finest tasting foods and best quality products to consumers

dent local businesses and enhance the value of products branded

all over Japan.

“made-in Tohoku.”

Yahoo Japan serves as the secretariat for the website, connecting
customers nationwide to the attractive local products of Tohoku and

The app can be downloaded here:

Tohoku has long been known for appealing marine and agricultural
produce grown in its abundant natural regions, as well as for tradi-

More details can be found here:tional crafts steeped in history. Why not take a look at FUKKO

FUKKO DEPARTMENT Project

National Congress of Parents &Teachers Association of Japanutilizing its enormous database and advanced screening technology.

At the same time, the app assists parents to take safety measures suit-

FUKKO DEPARTMENTP TA

Recommended“There are so many services
available, but I wonder whatsafety measures
my child needs...”In recent years, the increased popularity of smartphones and tablets

SoftBank Mobile supported the “We will never forget that day” decla-

for the Reconstruction.”(Japanese only)

DEPARTMENT and see what’s available?

FUKKO DEPARTMENT Store

Producers, Processors, Retailers

FUKKO DEPARTMENT Unit

NPOs, chambers of commerce, and other organizations,
who organize producers and retailers in each region and provide e-commerce services on their behalf

FUKKO DEPARTMENT Partners

Corporations and organizations who utilize their strengths to support FUKKO DEPARTMENT

Aiming for the World! Sanriku Fisherman’s Project
The Sanriku Fisherman’s Project brings together fishing industry participants,
including fishermen, fishmongers, consumers, and all other relevant parties, tocreate a new fishing industry in Sanriku. Sanriku is blessed with an abundanceof fresh seafood, including mussels with their seashore aroma, and plump,
tasty oysters. By promoting Sanriku’s rich food resources, producers’ passion,and daily activities, the project creates new value and business opportunities for
the Tohoku fishing industry. FUKKO DEPARTMENT has a special website forpromoting the actual people involved in the fishing industry and introducing
opportunities to support the industry. The website carries not only activity
reports but also information on seasonal marine produce, delicious ways toprepare it, and more.

Always Striving for Safety and Security

Automatic Warnings for Unwanted Calls
Unwanted Call Checker
Ymobile (formerly WILLCOM) offers the Unwanted Call
Checker, which automatically warns users of incoming
unwanted calls when it is installed on residential fixed-line
telephones. Information on phone numbers that place
unwanted calls is registered and shared between all users,
so even when being called from a number for the firsttime, users can be confident that they will be warned ofan unwanted call before picking up the phone.

11

Unwanted Call Checker informs users when calls come infrom registered or unknown numbers.
If a call comes in from a number
registered on the unwanted call list,
the callneverconnects

Notice of unknown or
unwanted call via awarning light or
announcementCallplacedBlockedOver 25,000 unwanted call numbers have been registered as of May 2014, and information is also provided bypolice organizations and local governments. There is also

FUKKO DEPARTMENT special website:

an equivalent optional service for Ymobile mobile phones called

More details can be found here:(Japanese only)

Mobile Unwanted Call Checker.

(Japanese only)

Management Server(provided by Tobila Systems)

List of unwanted
call numbers automatically updated

Information on calls
turned down by otherusers also shared

12

SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

Nurturing Hopes and Dreams

Nurturing Hopes and Dreams

Research on Mobile Device Use
for Children with Special Needs

A Leadership Program for
Young People with Special Needs

The Magic Projects

DO-IT Japan

SoftBank Mobile and EDUAS Corp. have been working with thecomprehending the abstract concept of time, such as in the expres-Since 2007, SoftBank Mobile has supported the DO-IT (Diversity,

Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at thesion “hold on a second,” by using an app that displays time visually.

Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) Japan Program­University of Tokyo to promote opportunities for children with special

Special-needs schools participating in the project are lent mobile

administered by the Research Center for Advanced Science andneeds to participate in society by researching ways for them to makedevices, such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets, for a­Technology at the University of Tokyo. The program is aimed at train-

use of mobile devices. The research

period of time free of charge, and specific examples of how they areing future leaders for society using computers, IT devices, and otheris exploring the possibilities of mobile

used are researched and publicized.

aids to help young people with special needs attend college and findA total of 153 special-needs schools have participated in the projectterminals as tools for communication

employment. The young people are selected from candidates
throughout Japan.

and cognition. For example, children

to date. Examples of how the terminals are used that have been

who have difficulty interacting ver-collected by the research are reported at seminars and published andSince fiscal 2011, as a part of the DO-IT Japan Program, SoftBankbally with others can communicate

publicized in collections. In this way, the project is promoting efforts

Mobile has run a program using tablets for elementary school children

by displaying text on their mobile

to tackle learning barriers.

devices, or they can be assisted inwith EDUAS Corp., a SoftBank Group company involved in education.

Participant Impressions

Project Progress

FY2009FY2011FY2012

Aki-chan’s Magic Pocket Project

Aki-chan’s Magic Pen Case Project

Magic Carpet Project

Case studies gathered fromresearch on learning and daily life
assistance, primarily using mobile
phonesCase studies gathered primarily
from research on classroom
learning using tablets

Case studies gathered fromresearch on learning and daily
life assistance using tablets andsmartphones

Issei Takei, First Grader, Junior High School

Natsuno Takei (Issei’s parent)

I am very happy to have been able to participate in the DO-IT Japan Program.

Issei couldn’t read or write very well, and there

Taking a test on a tablet device was much easier than any tests I have ever taken.

have been more and more things to worry about

Reading text usually takes me a lot of time, but the tablet read out the text foreven in junior high school. As a parent, it has beenme, and its typing function enabled me to write answers much more easily.

difficult knowing how much to do for him andWhen we got to sit in on a college class and used a tablet, I was surprised at

The Magic Lamp Project was initiated in April 2013 to help chil-children with special needs through use of mobile devices will

dren with special needs participate in their communities. Drawing

serve to illuminate their futures.

how much support he really needs, but with the

how well I understood it, even though it was supposed to be a very difficult

help of ICT, it has also become clear how we canclass. I am very keen to use the tablet at school and in daily life to help me do

support his autonomy. “It would be great if there

Magic Lamp Project to help children with special needs participate in the community (FY2013)

on the previous successes of the project, mobile devices are uti-

13

things that I am not very good atwere a school like DO-IT”—he has said this many

doing. I am really looking for-times. It is all just getting started, but there is noward to next year.

doubt that DO-IT Japan Program activities havebeen a big step forward for my son.

Seminars and awareness-raising activities have been conducted

lized by children not only for classroom learning but in any place,for the general public in eight locations around the country toMore details can be found here:

in the same way that a pair of glasses is used for example.

broadly publicize the project’s research results.

(Japanese only)

The Magic Lamp name reflects our hope that support for

Nurturing Hopes and Dreams

Examples of Mobile Device Use
The progress report for fiscal 2013 has been published on the Magic Project website. It features case studies of how participating
schools are utilizing mobile devices through the Magic Lamp Project to help children with special needs learn at school and engage
in various activities in their daily lives.

• Deeper Understanding of Personal Allergies

Learning Assistance for Children with Hearing Impairmentswith the Mobile Remote Information Assurance System*

A boy with mental disabilities and allergies began using an app• ‌Convey Feelings That Cannot Be Conveyed with Body
Languagethat simplifies records and information management so that he

A boy unable to convey his intentions or what he wanted

can look up the information any time. He has learned to always­verbally due to a disability began using communication apps

SoftBank Mobile lends mobile phones to Kaishin Daini Junior Highsocial studies class, a

use the app on his mobile device to check whether foods con-

(VOCA and picture cards) to convey intentions and feelings that

School, in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward, to provide learning support for chil-lecture presentation,

he could not convey with body language. He has experienced

dren with hearing impairments through a mobile remote information

extracurricular learn-become more conscious of his own allergies and improve his

joy and satisfaction at being able to express himself and has

assurance system.* A third-year student gave his impressions: “I aming, and otherself-management abilities.

deepened communication with the people around him.

able to get a great deal of information without any problem in myactivities.

tain any allergens before eating them. This has helped him to

Mobile Remote Information Assurance Systemsocial studies class. Even at times when I wasn’t able to hear what
the teacher was saying during class, thanks to the subtitles displayed

Read the Magic Lamp Project Report:(Japanese only)

on my smartphone, I don’t fall behind my classmates and am able tokeep learning.” In fiscal 2013, seven students used the phones for* The mobile remote information assurance system originated in a project begun in fiscal 2008by the NPO Nagano Summarize Center, and was developed and field-tested by a joint
research group from National University Corporation Tsukuba University of Technology,
SoftBank Mobile, Nagano Summarize Center, National University Corporation Gunma
University, the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology,
and a non-judicial organization, MCC HubneT.

14

SoftBank GroupCSR Report 201415

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

Environment

Environment

Helping to Create a Society that Uses Secure, Reliable Energy

Clean, Safe, Reliable and Affordable Distributed Power,
All Day Every Day

Initiatives in Renewable Energy

First Installation in Japan Starts Operations at Fukuoka M-TOWER

SB Energy Corp. aims to promote and popularize renewable energy,

Bloom Energy Japan Ltd. installed Japan’s first Bloom Energy Server at

providessuch as large-scale solar power generation (mega solar) and wind

M-TOWER in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, where it has been operat-roughly 75%

power generation, by using land owned by public bodies and private

ing since November 25, 2013. The Bloom Energy Server is a clean,of the powerowners throughout Japan to build and operate renewable energy

highly efficient fuel cell power generator for commercial and industrial

consumption

power plants.

applications. It uses solid oxide fuel cell technology patented byof the entire

In cooperation with EDUAS Corp. and EDUCA & QUEST INC., SB

Bloom Energy Corporation of the U.S. (Sunnyvale, California), and thebuilding,

Energy conducts an environmental education program for elementary

installation and operation start at M-TOWER is the first in Japan. The

creating aschools located near solar photovoltaic power plants. Called “TheBloom Energy Server at M-TOWER has an output of 200 kW. Thisclean, safe and reliable source of energy for the building.

Future × Energy Project,” the project is designed to provide children,
who will lead in the future, with a chance to proactively and creatively

About Bloom Energy Servers

think about energy issues. SB Energy is actively promoting renewableenergy to realize a society that we can proudly pass on to our children.
On July 1, 2012, operations started at a solar power plant in Shinto-mura, Gunma Prefecture.

Scheduled to start operations in 2015

Constructing Mega Solar Power Plants
and Wind Farms Nationwide
Starting with mega solar power
plants in Kyoto and in Shinto-mura,

Shiraoi-cho, Hokkaido Prefecture
Power output: Approx. 2.6 MW

SoftBank Takasago Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 2.9 MW

July 1, 2012, SB Energy had mega

In operation

solar power plants in operation in

Scheduled to start operations in 2015

power plants in more than six loca-

Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Power output: Approx. 19.6 MW

struction of mega solar power
plants and wind farms throughout
Japan.

through, distributed energy source that is clean, highly efficient,

thanks to a modular technology that is both flexible and scalable.

and does not involve combustion, the servers are being progres-* AC net thermal efficiency (LHV)

sively installed in the U.S. at facilities that require sustained power

More details can be found here:

In operation

SoftBank Shizuoka Aoi Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 1.9 MW
In operation

SoftBank Izumiotsu Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 19.6 MW

In operation
In operation

SoftBank Ureshino Yoshida Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 2.0 MW
In operation

SoftBank Nagasaki Koyagi Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 2.6 MW

SoftBank Tokushima Komatsushima Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 2.8 MW
Scheduled to start operations in 2015

Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Power output: Approx. 22.4 MW(Japanese only)

In operation

SoftBank Tokushima Rinku Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 2.8 MW

Construction of First Ever Wind Farm “Wind Farm Hamada” Underway
in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture

Environment

Recovery of Used Mobile Phones up 23%
from the Previous Year
Initiatives for Mobile Phone Recycling and Reuse
As a part of the Mobile Recycle Network that works to recycle mobile

protect the personal information of customers who bring in theirand PHS phones, SoftBank Shops at some 2,600 locations nationwide

phones and accessories so that they can feel confident about recycling

promote the recycling of used mobile and PHS handsets, battery

them. The mobile phones themselves are physically destroyed with apacks, battery chargers, USIM cards, and other accessories, regardlesspunching tool before being recycled.

of the original provider or manufacturer. The Shops work very hard to

this process are reused as the raw materials for components in elec-

Customertronic devices and other products. The Shops also work to raiseawareness of the initiative through catalogs, events, and other promo-

Customers

wind power generators. With a total installed capacity of about 48 MW, annual

tions to encourage even more customers to participate. In fiscal

Reproduction
Manufacturers

SoftBank Mobile

Reused in various products

Mobile phones collectionenergy production of approximately 85 million kWh is expected.

(Japanese only)

2013, we were able to recycle approximately 1.09 million used mobile
phones, a 23% increase over the previous fiscal year. Moreover, in
addition to recycling mobile phones, SoftBank Mobile is also promot-

SB Energy’s first wind power generation plant “Wind Farm Hamada”(Image of the completed plant)

More details about SB Energy can be found here:

Disassembly, pulverization, dissolution and other processes are conducted at a recycling facility, and precious metals extracted throughCorporation to build a wind farm in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture.
start operations during fiscal 2015. The farm will be equipped with 291,670 kW

Mobile Recycle Network
Encouraging you to recycle your mobile
and PHS phones

SB Energy is collaborating with MITSUI & CO., LTD. and Green Power Investment­Construction of the wind farm, SB Energy’s first, began in June 2013, aiming tohone RecyePngrunning of new renewable energy

will continue to promote the con-installed in varying numbers depending on capacity requirements,cli

currently working to prepare for the

Each Bloom Energy Server provides 200 kW of power. They can beenergy with generating efficiencies of over 60%.* As a break-

SoftBank Shinto Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 2.4 MW

SoftBank Yaita Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 3.0 MW (Unit 1)
Approx. 1.6 MW (Unit 2)

Scheduled to start operations in 2015

Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture
Power output: Approx. 48.0 MW *Wind farmtions across the nation. SB Energy

and government offices.

reaction rather than combustion. They create a clean form of

In operation

In operation

SoftBank Tottori-Yonago Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 42.9 MW

11 locations (13 generators) nation-

Abira-cho, Hokkaido Prefecture
Power output: Approx. 111.0 MW

convert fuels, such as city gas or biogas, to electricity by chemical

In operation SoftBank Kyoto Solar Park
Power output: Approx. 2.1 MW (Unit 1)
Approx. 2.1 MW (Unit 2)

In operation

Gunma Prefecture, went online on

wide as of July 17, 2014, and it is

Scheduled to start operations in 2014

supply such as data centers, large-scale commercial complexes,

Mob
il

Renewable Energy Business

Bloom Energy Servers use solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology to

ing their re-use. For further information, please visit your local

Resources

RecycleRecycling

Recycling companies

Converted into recyclable
plastic and metals

Manual disassembly of mobile phones

SoftBank Shop.

More details can be found here:

16

SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

Disaster Readiness Measures

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

Disaster Readiness Measures within the SoftBank Group17

View video here:

Diverse Needs(Japanese only)

Learning from the Great East Japan Earthquake—
Being Ready

Assist Smartphone Service Launched to Help People
with Special Needs Participate in Society

Disaster Readiness Initiatives

Assist Smartphone

Satellite Phones on All Mobile Base Stations and Power Supply Vehicles

The Assist Smartphone service was started by SoftBank Mobile inmakes it possible to check the

Building Robust, Disaster-Resistant Communications Networks

March 2014 to help people with special needs participate in society.

user’s location and change the

The service can be used by downloading special software onto thehome screen, select which apps

Simple Smartphone SoftBank 204SH (manufactured by Sharp

may be used, create email tem-

SoftBank Mobile has distributed 1,500 satellite phones and mobile

In addition, as a readiness measure for any loss of power duringphones to points across the country so that they can be lent freedisasters, we have established a system to enable communication­Corporation) and then switching the phone to “Assist Smartphone”

plates, and set destinations for walking navigation based on the user’sof charge to non-profit and public organizations and used forservices to be provided for more than 24 hours even during black-mode. As a service for helping people with mental and other disabili-

level of proficiency. Applications for the service are accepted throughcommunication and restoration activities, as well as emergency

outs, primarily at important sites such as prefectural offices andties to communicate and engage in daily activities, Assist Smartphone

the SoftBank Online Shop and specially designated agencies including

assistance in disaster zones. An additional

designated disaster-response hospitals. To achieve this, additionalhas been selected by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for aNPOs and special subsidiaries. We also established a new hotline for

4,200 mobile and PHS Home Phones have beenbatteries and generators have been installed at peripheral basefiscal 2013 ministry program aimed at the development and promo-questions on Assist Smartphone in conjunction with the start of themade available for use in areas served by tem-stations. Moreover, even if the power is cut to base stations,tion of self-sufficiency support devices for people with special needs.

service. It helps customers who are considering using the service,porary base stations at evacuation centers andpower supply vehicles deployed throughout the country will

SoftBank Mobile also exhibited the service at Barrier Free 2014, which

provides support on setup and use after purchase, and handles

so forth during disasters, meaning people who

spring into action and provide a source of power.

was held in April 2014.

requests for installation at facilities and companies. We also plan tohold seminars through our designated agencies to explain operations

have evacuated will be able to use the phones

Through a special website that allows guardians and helpers tofree of charge as a means of communication.

configure device settings and provide back-end support, the service

Assist Smartphone* Overview

Additional batteries

Additional batteries on peripheral basestations (rendering)

Mobile power supply vehicles

Satellite phone(SoftBank 201TH)

SoftBank Group Joint Disaster Drill

Yahoo! Disaster Alert

Balloon Base Stations Utilized
Ensuring Quick Restoration ofCommunications

Yahoo Japan provides a free Yahoo! Disaster Alert

In February 2014, SoftBank Mobile, eAccess* and WILLCOM*
held the SoftBank Group Joint Disaster Drill for the Second Halfof Fiscal 2013. Disaster readiness drills had previously been
held independently by each of the companies, but this drill
represents the first time all three companies have cometogether for a joint exercise. The drill simulated an earthquakewith an epicenter directly under Tokyo, and a series of activities
were confirmed for emergency restoration of a communications area in the event of a large-scale disaster. SoftBank has

The Assist Smartphone service includes an extensive set of features

can be gauged based on the per-to help users communicate and act on their own initiative. Assist

son’s stride, enabling helpers to

Mail enables emails to be created by simply selecting a ­scenario

provide support for each situation.

and touching on sample text, Schedule allows users to report that

Customizing the home screen onscheduled plans have been completed with the touch of a button,

Support Web, the dedicated web-and Assist Navi helps users to move around by displaying the direc-

site for helpers, allows the opera-tion and distance to a destination with easy-to-follow arrows.

tions screen to be set up so that it

Additionally, the Mimamoru Fence feature sends alerts to pre-is easy to remember, even for

The Assist Smartphone service

service that delivers emergency alerts for earth-registered email addresses if the user does not arrive within apeople using it for the first time. Positioning information can also

quakes, tsunami, heavy rainfall and other disasters

preset destination area at a designated time when commuting to

be used via Support Web. The Assist Smartphone service is pro-

via an app or email. Users can receive alerts at up to three pre-­work or school. Whether the user has gotten lost or is on track

vided free of charge.
* The Assist Smartphone service is provided free of charge.

registered locations plus a current, unregistered location, which
the app can determine using location information. The service

More details about Assist Smartphone can be found here:

covers emergency earthquake alerts, evacuation information(Japanese only)

issued by municipalities and other official agencies (from August2013), and civil protection information issued by J-ALERT (fromFebruary 2014), accommodating a wide range of potential disaster situations. It is also used by municipal bodies for evacuation
drills and other exercises.

mobile base station vehicles ready for deployment throughout
the country and has also developed balloon base stations to be

and other aspects of the service.

We lent smartphones loaded with Assist Smartphone to athletes with mental
disabilities throughout the Special Olympics Nippon©. Their impressions on using theservice are reported on the Assist Smartphone website.

Designated Public Institutions

Yuko Arimori

The support needed by people with mental disabilities differs for eachbase stations are kept ready at ten nationwide locations.

SoftBank Mobile and SoftBank Telecom were officially designatedPresident and CEO, Special Olympics Nippon

individual. In light of this, Assist Smartphone is designed so that the* Currently Ymobile

as “designated public institutions” under the Basic Act on Disasterfunctions needed by each user and the home screen are customizable toControl Measures in October 2013. Therefore, in order to ensure

make the service easy to use. I think Assist Smartphone has been well

prompt action to restore networks and respond to requests fromdesigned to make daily life easier for people with mental disabilities. It ismunicipalities and other bodies in a time of emergency, efforts are

my hope that the living environment for people with mental disabilities

being made to reinforce internal systems, such as for issuing

will improve further through such communication services and that they

advance notification of emergency vehicle use to allow priority use

will continue to gain autonomy, interact with many different people,of roads during emergencies, and to otherwise maintain close

expand their social circles, and discover new and challenging arenas in

used to cover areas where damage is extensive. The balloon

which to excel.

collaborative relationships with relevant governmental agencies.
First joint disaster drill in progressSpecial Olympics Nippon©

18

SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

View video here:

Diverse Needs(Japanese only)

19

Diverse Needs

Barrier-Free Communication for All!

Simple, Convenient Mobile Usage Techniques

Game de Manaberu Shuwa Jiten

Solutions to Everyday Problems

SoftBank Mobile offers an app for learning sign language called Gameto show actual signing movements that can also be rotated through

SoftBank Mobile has created the website “Simple, Convenient Mobile

daily life. The website presents ideas for simple ways of using smart-de Manaberu Shuwa Jiten (“A Sign Language Dictionary for Learning

360 degrees. Detailed hand movements can be viewed and studied

Usage Techniques for Solutions to Everyday Problems” to provide

phones and tablets to solve problems often encountered by people inSign Language through a Game”) that was developed out of a desirefrom various angles. There is also a game that allows users to enjoy

support for people with special needs by showing how mobile infor-

their day-to-day living.

to foster a kinder social environment that enables barrier-free com-learning sign language while fighting monsters with magic.

mation devices can be used to solve some of the inconveniences ofmunication between people with hearing impairments and people

The application was designed to increase interest in sign language

who can hear. Employees were asked to submit ideas to the com-and is intended not only for users of sign language but for all people

Case Study: Simple Solutions to everyday problems

pany’s Business Ideas that Contribute to Society contest, and thewith opportunities to interact with people with hearing impairments

winning idea was developed into this service.

in daily life, such as bank tellers, train station attendants, shop staff,

Shopping: Will it fit in my fridge?

The app includes roughly 3,000 signs, all presented in 3D animation

Worried about whether some food products you want to buy on sale will fit in your refrigerator?
Well, you can use your smartphone or tablet to find out.

and school teachers.

Development Story

Development Story

Subtle adjustments were made while checking everything—each signing movement,
mouth positions, expression, explanatory text
and more.

There is a feature that automatically makes the character’s body transparent
so that its hand movements can be seen from its own perspective when thecamera angle is rotated behind it. We came up with this feature as the resultof talking with a variety of people and listening to their feedback.

Use yourphone ortablet to solve
this problem!
Cheap! Looks delicious! But will it fit in my fridge?

By taking a picture of your refrigerator before going
shopping, you’ll know what you have and how muchspace you have before you buy anything.

More details can be found here:(Japanese only)

Diverse Needs

Helping People with
Special Needs Utilize
Their Mobile Phones

Promoting Japanese Sign
­Language Used Among People
with Hearing Impairments

Interview with the Developers Yeongchel Woo and Keiji Kudo,
Product Services & Planning Division, SoftBank Mobile

Sign Language Counter

SoftBank Sign Language Class

Customers with hearing

SoftBank Mobile runs the SoftBank

Kudo: In developing the app, we made subtle adjustments while

impairments who visit the

Sign Language Class to promote

SoftBank Shop in Shibuya

communication using Japanese

can consult with staff with

Sign Language. The class is taught

confidence about theirby instructors who are “native

mobile phones or sign-up

signers,” people who speak Japa-

procedures at the store’s

nese Sign Language as their

Sign Language Counter.

mother language, and have been trained in the theory and practice ofThe counter is attended full-time by sign language-speaking staff,

language education. Japanese Sign Language is a unique linguistic

achieve was meaningful.

who can talk with customers in sign language about everything

system that is different from the Japanese language. There are two

Woo: The app had to be developed on a tight schedule, but making allfrom selecting a mobile phone to how to use it, price plans, andtypes of courses, one intended for beginning learners and one forsign-up procedures. Counter staff can also communicate throughpeople who already have experience with the language, and classes

writing with customers who do not use sign language. In addition,

are then further divided by level. Lessons are primarily conversational

the Sign Language Support service, started in December 2010 at

and are taught by the native instructors without using verbal instruc-checking everything, each signing movement, mouth position, expression, explanatory text and more, so I believe that it successfully reproduces the movements used in sign language with a high level ofdetail. As the project progressed, we talked with people with hearing
impairments and people in regular contact with them such as sign
language interpreters. Seeing so many of them show support for the
project’s concept, I came to realize that what we were trying to

the adjustments was more difficult than expected, and it was difficult(From left) Yeongchel Woo and Keiji Kudo

balancing the two. However, all the hard work was worth it. Because
we paid so much attention to the signing movements and otherinformation technology we can all create a friendly society that

17 SoftBank Shops around the country, allows customers to interact

tions or Japanese language textbooks. This helps students to learn

details, we were finally able to launch the app with a great deal ofenables barrier-free communication between people with hearing

with staff at the Sign Language Counter via a video conferencing

Japanese Sign Language in a very natural way. Over 6,100 people*

impairments and people who hear normally.

system and receive information in sign language. Signing staff also

have taken the SoftBank Sign Language Class to date.

utilize the expertise, technologies,

appear in a DVD distributed to schools for the hearing impaired

and assets cultivated in developing* Total number of participants from April 2004 to March 31, 2014.

and related organizations that explains in sign language and sub-The app can be
downloaded here:

confidence. I think we will be able tothis app in a range of social infrastructure. I hope that by utilizing

More details can be found here:(Japanese only)

titles how to use mobile phones safely and securely.

More details can be found here:

20

SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014

Topics

TopicsSoliciting Employees’ Ideas for Pioneering Social
Contributions

Opportunity to Deepen Ties with Families

Business Ideas that Contribute to Society Contest

Family Day

21

The SoftBank Group has been holding the Business Ideas that Contribute toSociety contest to solicit Group company employees’ ideas since 2012, aiming
to identify pioneering ideas that meet society’s needs and to provide employees with opportunities
to build awarenessand exchange­opinions on societal
needs, where outstanding ideas are
selected for future
implementation.

Contests held to date
[Session]

1st: January 2012
2nd: July 2012
3rd: February 2013
4th: April 2014
[Eligible participants]
SoftBank Group company
employees[Total number of applications]
About 1,200[Adopted plans] 8

Example Project Originating from an Employee Idea

Senior Crew

Summary of Contest Entry[Creator of Idea]

Smartphone Lectures for Seniors by Seniors

Shinsuke Takano
Sales Division
SoftBank Payment Service Corp.

Senior Crew, one of the winning entries in our second Business Idea
contest, was taken up as a project in cooperation with Society for
Applied Gerontology-Japan LLP. Through the project, senior staff
members, the “Senior Crew,” give smartphone lectures for seniors
at SoftBank Shops, community centers, and other locations primarily in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. The project goals are to help
seniors find new meaning and purpose and to raise customer satis-[Project]Create meaning and purpose for seniors through reemployment[Inspiration]

I gave my parents a tablet as a present, but saw how theyhardly used it at all. This started me thinking about a way to
get the senior segment using them easily.

faction among the growing segment of senior smartphone users.

(Yahoo Japan Family Day 2013)

The SoftBank Group

Yahoo Japan

Employees’ families and friends are invited to offices for Family Day,

Yahoo Japan strives to maintain an organizational culture that moti-

with the goal of deepening ties with them. Workplace events, such

vates and inspires its employees. Families support the employees day

as watching fireworks over Tokyo Bay and cooking classes, are also

in and day out, and so Family Day is held to provide them with theheld in the employee cafeteria, “Festa,” at corporate headquarters toopportunity to experience the type of workplace atmosphere andencourage contact between employees, families and friends. In addi-

culture that Yahoo Japan aspires to achieve. Family Day is intended totion, SoftBank and the three telecommunications companies of thepromote a fun workplace environment. The many events include

SoftBank Group team up with the NPO C.C.C Furano Field to hold anactivity booths for both parents and children to enjoy, a stamp collect-

original program every year during summer break focused on foster-ing game, and “work interviews” in which employees respond toing healthy relationships between parents and children, and thinking

questions from children. Through these events, families become better

seriously about the environment and nature.

acquainted with Yahoo Japan as a company.

Over 230 people participated in smartphone lectures from thefirst one in May 2013 through to the end of March 2014, providing a significant number

Topicsof seniors with a window into how fun smartphones can be. The lectures have been a
hit with participants, who have commented on how easy they are to follow because theinstructors are on their level, and how the lectures are a fun social engagement as well.

Providing Communications Solutions that Enable People
with Visual Impairments to Participate More Fully in Society

Experiencing the Joy of Work
Since the Senior Crew started holding smartphone lectures, many customers haveparticipated and experienced both the fun and convenience of smartphones. The
instructors in the Senior Crew have also expressed

Accessibility

how good it feels to help people, and say that whileworking as an instructor can be a little unnerving at

Sprint recognizes the powerful role technology can play in reducing

more accessible forfirst, it is also fun. Through the lectures, they say, they

communications barriers faced by individuals with special needs.

people with visualexperience the joy of work.

Sprint is committed to working with suppliers and manufacturers to

impairments.

create accessible technology that improves the quality of life for

To help foster a more

Senior Crew/Simple Smartphone Lectures

people with special needs.

Since its launch in May 2013, the Simple Smartphone

access information, Sprint launched the Kyocera Kona, the first featuredents with print disabili-­Softbank 204SH has been very popular with seniors. The

phone in the U.S. wireless industry to offer verbal translation, enabling

ties, Sprint launched a

Senior Crew (staff age 60 and older) hold smartphone

Internet browsing. Sprint also launched the LG Optimus F3 , the firstunique Accessible Edu-

­lectures using these phones to help many seniors take their

U.S. smartphone to come preloaded with TalkBack by Google Inc. andcation ID pack thatfirst step into the world of smartphones.

Sprint’s Accessible Now startup wizard, which provides immediate

makes it simple to access web-based educational resources on their

voice guidance on how to set-up and activate the phone, making it

smartphones.

conducive learning

To better help people with visual impairments communicate andTM

A Simple Smartphone

environment for stu-

22

SoftBank GroupCSR Report 2014

SoftBank Group CSR Report 2014
Items
Protection of
consumers’safetySoftBank Group CSR Activities—Results of FY2013 and Plan for FY2014
Unless a company name is provided, the activities have been or will be conducted by SoftBank Mobile, SoftBank BB, SoftBank Telecom,and other Group companies.

Items

FY2013 Record

RatingA+: Achieved an effect that exceeded the target
A : Achieved the intended effect of the initiative
B : Initiative was carried out, but the targeted effect was not achieved
C : Initiative achieved no effect or was not carried out

Rating Plan for FY2014

Disclosed the “SoftBank Group CSR Principles” as the CSR policy for the Group

A

Disclose the “SoftBank Group CSR Principles” as the CSR policy for the Group (http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/about/guideline/)

Appointed a SoftBank Corp. director as the SoftBank Group Chief CSR Officer and directors of key companies within the Group as CSR officers
Shared and exchanged information in the semiannual SoftBank Group CSR Working Group

A

Appoint a SoftBank Corp. director as the SoftBank Group Chief CSR Officer and directors of key companies within the Group as CSR officers
Share and exchange information in the semiannual SoftBank Group CSR Working Group

Released achievements and targets for the following key areas of CSR (ISO 26000 ratified)A

Corporate
governanceConducted verification and assessment of the internal control system by internal and external audit divisions(1) Building a healthy Internet society(2) Cultivating a next generation that has dreams and aspirations(3) Protecting the planet’s future through environmental protection (4) S upporting the reconstruction of areas affected by the Great East
Japan Earthquake
A

Employment

Working
conditions,social security

Compliance

Safety andhealthHR development andeducation

Conducted fair evaluations of personnel according to role, results, and ability
Hired and promoted talented personnel based on ability, regardless of gender, age, educational background, nationality, etc.
Implemented annual ES survey and promoted subsequent improvements
Implemented a robust childcare program
Promoted hiring of personnel with special needs

A

Continued various programs to encourage a favorable work-life balance
Promoted no-overtime days for each division, each company / Used flextime working hours / Encouraged employees to take various
vacation programs
Took measures to prevent overwork
Maintained a system for safety confirmation in times of disaster
Held “FY13 Family Day/Family Ties” three times

A

Promoted compliance and awareness survey through e-learning
Maintained the compliance hotline (internal reporting system)
Conducted compliance training
Implemented group-wide self-checking for complianceHeld compliance-month to promote the awareness of compliance in the autumn periodA

Created a sound work environment and continued management of safety and health■■Maintained a wellness center to provide support for emotional and physical well-being■■Maintained a safety and health hotline■■Maintained a communication flow for times of emergency■■Continued measures for mental illness prevention and care for mental health■■Set up a massage room■■Established a peer supporter system to provide counseling in the workplace
SB Atwork
Raised awareness of the need to quit smoking (lung-age check in the staff cafeteria)
Held an emergency first-aid course

A

Held CEO’s own program for training a successor (SoftBank Academia)
Offered a rich variety of training programs that employees can choose from (SoftBank University)
Maintained systems for widely soliciting ideas from employees (SoftBank Innoventure, Business Ideas that Contribute to Society Contest)
Conducted the Business Ideas that Contribute to Society Contest (January: called for ideas, March: conducted judging, May: announced results)
Promoted action to enhance English skills across the Group
Conducted an incentive program according to TOEIC scores
Conducted a program to support employees acquiring qualifications
Conducted a wisdom- and knowledge-sharing program between employees (Knowledge Market)
Maintained a system for providing training where employees serve as internally certified instructors (ICIs)

A

Continue various programs to encourage a favorable work-life balance (http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/employee/)
Promote no-overtime days for each division, each company / Use flextime working hours / Encourage employees to take various vacation programs
Take measures to prevent overwork
Maintain system for safety confirmation in times of disaster
Hold “FY14 Family Day/Family Ties”
Yahoo Japan
Implement a sabbatical system (http://csr.yahoo.co.jp/stakeholder/employee/2.html) (Japanese only)
Hold Family Day
Establish BASE6 staff cafeteria linked to business performance
Maintain the compliance hotline (internal reporting system)
Conduct compliance training (including e-learning)
Implement Group-wide self-checking for compliance
Hold compliance-month to promote the awareness of compliance in the autumn period
Maintain a sound work environment and continue management of safety and health■■Maintain a wellness center to provide support for emotional and physical well-being■■Maintain a safety and health hotline■■Maintain a communication flow for times of emergency■■Continue measures for mental illness prevention and care for mental health■■Maintain a massage room■■Maintain a peer supporter system to provide counseling in the workplace
SB Atwork
Raise awareness of the need to quit smoking (lung-age check in the staff cafeteria)
Hold an emergency first-aid course
Hold CEO’s own program for training a successor (SoftBank Academia)
Offer a rich variety of training programs that employees can choose from (SoftBank University)
Maintain systems for widely soliciting ideas from employees (SoftBank Innoventure, Business Ideas that Contribute to Society Contest)
Promote action to enhance English skills across the Group
Conduct an incentive program according to TOEIC scores
Conduct a program to support employees acquiring qualifications
Conduct the wisdom- and knowledge-sharing program between employees (Knowledge Market)
Maintained the system for providing training where employees serve as internally certified instructors (ICIs)

A

Maintain ISO 14001 standard certification (Headquarters, Sapporo) (http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/future/instance_01/)

A

Set environmental goals at offices
Achieve lower power consumption compared to 2010: –25% (Headquarters), –25% (Sapporo)(http://www.softbank.jp/corp/csr/future/instance_02/) (Japanese only)
ITMedia
Operate Smart Japan (problem-solving site for companies engaged in power-saving, power-storage, power-generation initiatives)
SoftBank Technology
Introduce a facility management system to enable visualization and centralized management of electricity usage, and implement measures toreduce energy consumption

Disclosed environmental data (http://www.softbank.jp/corp/csr/future/instance_03/) (Japanese only)

Environmental Continued to conduct environmental conservation activities■■Ensured thorough compliance with paperless operations
protection

A+■■Ensured thorough compliance with green procurement guidelines in all aspects of operations■■Installed Bloom Energy Server (Fukuoka M-TOWER)
SB Energy
Promoted renewable energy
ValueCommerce
Carried out support activities as a sponsor of Akagi Nature Park http://akagishizenen.jp/ (Japanese only)

Continue to conduct environmental conservation activities■■Ensure thorough compliance with paperless operations■■Ensure thorough compliance with green procurement guidelines (http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/future/instance_04/)■■Install Bloom Energy Server (Tokyo Shiodome Building)
SB Energy
Promote renewable energy (http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/future/instance_04/contents_05/)
ValueCommerce
Carry out support activities as a sponsor of Akagi Nature Park http://akagishizenen.jp/ (Japanese only)

Recycling ofresources

Collected roughly 1,090,000 used mobile phones for recycling, up 23% from the previous year
Separated trash
Used dedicated recycling boxes for used documents

A+

Collect used mobile phones for recycling
Separate trash
Use dedicated recycling boxes for used documents

Educating andawarenessraising

Implemented e-learning about the appropriate processing of industrial waste and Electronic Manifest System to increase knowledge of relevantlaws and processes
Raised awareness and increased knowledge about disposal of used mobile phones

A

Implement e-learning about the appropriate processing of industrial waste and Electronic Manifest System to increase knowledge of relevantlaws and processes
Raise awareness and increase knowledge about disposal of used mobile phones (http://www.softbank.jp/corp/csr/future/instance_02/)(Japanese only)

Added pages on the Intranet to increase awareness of energy savingYahoo Japan
Posted power use status meters from each electricity provider
ITMedia
Operated Smart Japan (problem-solving site for companies engaged in power-saving, power-storage, power-generation initiatives)
SB Energy
Conducted renewable energy and environmental education

A

Yahoo Japan
Post power use status meters from each electricity provider
ITMedia
Offer power saving information on Smart Japan website
SB Energy
Conduct renewable energy and environmental education (http://www.softbank.jp/corp/csr/future/instance_04/contents_05/)
Implemented Future Energy Project at three schools, and opened Tottori Nature and Environment Center
Open educational website Miru-Miru Wakaru Energy (http://www.sbenergy.jp/) (Japanese only)A

Hold reverse auctions (electronic auctions)
Ensure thorough adherence to Code of Ethical Purchasing
Maintain fair and cordial trading relationships with business partners (http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/dealer/)

Relations with Business Partners
Faircompetition

Held reverse auctions (electronic auctions)
Ensured thorough adherence to Code of Ethical Purchasing

Relations with Customers
Protection of
consumers’safetyPromoted a series of information literacy education programs, “Let’s Think about Mobile Phones,” targeted for parents and teachers
Provided filtering service applicable to smartphones
Provided the safe Internet use comprehension check and countermeasures advice service, Internet Safety Quiz, as an addition to the Yahoo!
Anshin-net service (recommended by the National Congress of Parents & Teachers Association of Japan)(http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/internet/instance_02/)

A

Promote the series of information literacy education programs, “Let’s Think about Mobile Phones”(http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/internet/instance_02/)
Provide filtering service applicable to smartphones (http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/internet/instance_01/)
Increase awareness of mobile phone etiquette, including smartphone operation while walking and points to consider when using mobile phone
in public places (http://www.softbank.jp/mobile/support/protect/manner/usage/) (Japanese only)■■Participate and offer advice in public meetings pertaining to the Internet and advocacy activity(http://csr.yahoo.co.jp/stakeholder/customer/index.html) (Japanese only)

Consumer dataprotection andprivacy■■Acquired and maintained information security standard certification *Continuous maintenance of acquired ISO 27001 certification

B■■Acquire and maintain information security standard certification *Continue maintenance of acquired ISO 27001 certification

SB Atwork

SB Atwork■■Acquired and maintained information security standard certification (ISO 90001, PrivacyMark)■■Acquire and maintain information security standard certification (ISO 90001, PrivacyMark)Realize Mobile Communications■■Managed information security standard certification (PrivacyMark)
ValueCommerce■■Managed information security standard certification (PrivacyMark, TRUSTe)Yahoo Japan■■There was an incident of unauthorized external access to the server managing Yahoo! JAPAN IDs. Yahoo Japan responded by taking measures
to prevent unauthorized access by a similar method from occurring again, and asked users to confirm the status of their Yahoo! JAPAN IDs.

Realize Mobile Communications■■Manage information security standard certification (PrivacyMark)

ValueCommerce■■Manage information security standard certification (PrivacyMark, TRUSTe)Yahoo Japan■■Acquire ISMS certification■■Acquire ISO 15408 certification■■Acquire PDICSS certification

Education andawarenessraising■■Provided all employees with information security education and e-learning

Risk
management■■Conducted disaster readiness drills

Periodically released security newsletters■■Conducted study sessions on various relevant laws and regulations including the Act against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, etc.
to Subcontractors

A■■Provide all employees with information security education and e-learning

Periodically release security newsletters

A+■■Conduct disaster readiness drills■■Conducted disaster readiness e-learning “Preparation for Large Earthquakes”■■Conduct disaster readiness e-learning■■Expanded and promoted the Group-wide risk management system■■Expand and promote the Group-wide risk management system■■Verified disaster readiness measures and reinforced operations■■Verify disaster readiness measures and reinforce operations■■Created initial disaster response manual using IT and included Group companies

Access toessential
services■■Reinforced network centers, ensured 24-hour operation of base stations in a disaster through batteries and generatorsA(disaster countermeasures) http://www.softbank.jp/mobile/disaster/network/run24h/ (Japanese only)■■Reinforce network centers, ensure 24-hour operation of base stations in a disaster through batteries and generators (disaster countermeasures)

http://www.softbank.jp/mobile/disaster/network/run24h/ (Japanese only)■■Implemented BCP measures■■Implement BCP measures

Carried out nationwide deployment of mobile base station vehicles, portable wireless base stations, power supply vehicles, portable
generators, and mobile phones / satellite phones for lending and so forth
http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/management/riskmanagement/readiness/
Carried out nationwide deployment of balloon-moored radio relay system
SoftBank Technology■■Promoted BCP measures such as migration of operational system on OA networks to VDI and separation from commercial networks

Carry out nationwide deployment of mobile base station vehicles, portable wireless base stations, power supply vehicles, portable
generators, and mobile phones / satellite phones for lending and so forth
http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/csr/management/riskmanagement/readiness/
Increase satellite mobile phones
Yahoo Japan■■Divide services into three levels depending on importance (http://csr.yahoo.co.jp/stakeholder/management/4.html) (Japanese only)

Relations with Local Communities
Involvement incommunity■■Participated in local-government organized events and meetings

A+■■Promoted volunteer activities in areas affected by the March 2011 earthquake and elsewhere■■Sponsored the World Children’s Baseball Fair■■Sponsored for SoftBank Baseball School in Tokyo

SoftBank Mobile■■Provided a donation platform available for many NPOs (KazashiteBokin)

SoftBank Payment Service■■Donated philanthropy seats to the Fukuoka and Saga Prefectural Councils of Social Welfare
Cyber University■■Established corporate scholarship program
SB Creative■■Donated books to The Japan Science Society (approximately 3,000 books in September 2013, and March 2014)
http://www.jss.or.jp/kouryu/tosho/teikyou.html (Japanese only)
Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS■■Visited Fukuoka Children’s Hospital■■Invited elementary school children to watch baseball games and offered special programs for parents and guardians (facilitated parent-childcommunication through baseball)■■Participated in Fukuoka City Tokimeki Project (supporting sales of artwork by people with special needs)

Environment
Environmental Maintained ISO 14001 standard certification (Headquarters, Sapporo)management
Promoted energy saving
Amount ofresources used ■■Achieved lower power consumption compared to 2010: –28.3% (Headquarters), –28.4% (Sapporo)

Yahoo Japan■■Provide phishing alert and security measures

Yahoo Japan■■Provided phishing alert and antivirus functions

SoftBank Mobile■■Continue to implement various measures to increase customer satisfaction
Conduct questionnaire surveys for call center users and customers visiting shops and utilize the results, maintain professional staff
certification program, and improve My SoftBank■■Promote IT support for people with special needs
Continue to study IT support for life and learning for children with special needs■■Strengthen and promote support for the people with disabilities■■Provide ICT support for senior customers
Provide simple smartphone lectures■■Provide SoftBank Sign Language Class
Ymobile■■Provide Unwanted Call Checker■■Sponsor the Special Olympics Nippon
Yahoo Japan■■Conduct patrolling for all web-based services■■Enhance the help page■■Provide accurate disaster information■■Grasp customer needs through customer support operations■■Safety Confirmation Service (http://safety.yahoo.co.jp/) (Japanese only)

Conduct verification and assessment of the internal control system by internal and external audit divisions

Conduct fair evaluations of personnel according to role, results, and ability
Hire and promote talented personnel based on ability, regardless of gender, age, educational background, nationality, etc.
Implement annual ES survey and promote subsequent improvements
Implement a robust childcare program
Promote hiring of the personnel with special needs
Yahoo Japan
Implement the “Job Challenge” internal transfer system twice a year (http://csr.yahoo.co.jp/stakeholder/employee/index.html) (Japanese only)

Provide an app to prevent smartphone operation while walking, STOP Texting While Walking

A(2) Cultivating a next generation that has dreams and aspirations(4) Supporting the reconstruction of areas affected by the Great East
Japan Earthquake

Relations with Employees

A

SoftBank Mobile■■Continued to implement various measures to increase customer satisfaction
Conducted questionnaire surveys for call center users and customers visiting stores and utilized the results, maintained professional
staff certification program, and improved online customer support solutions■■Promoted IT support for people with special needs
Conducted a study on IT support for life and learning for children with special needs
Offered social life support for people with special needs (Assist Smartphone)
Provided an app for learning sign language with dictionaries and games((Game de Manaberu Shuwa Jiten  ) http://www.softbank.jp/mobile/service/shuwa-jiten/) (Japanese only)■■Published tips on how to use smartphones and other devices to solve everyday problems on the Company’s website■■Provided ICT support for senior customers
Launched smartphones for senior users
Provided smartphone lectures (assigning Senior Crew White Staff)■■Provided SoftBank Sign Language Class
Ymobile (formerly WILLCOM)■■Provided Unwanted Call Checker■■Sponsored Special Olympics Nippon
Yahoo Japan
Conducted patrolling for all web-based services
Provided accurate disaster information

Release achievements and targets for the following key areas of CSR (ISO 26000 ratified)(1) Building a healthy Internet society(3) Protecting the planet’s future through environmental protection

Rating Plan for FY2014

Consumer
support,complaint
settlement

General Management
CSR principles
Process andstructure of
the decisionmaking system
Identifying key
areas of CSR

FY2013 Record
Increased awareness of mobile phone etiquette, including smartphone operation while walking and points to consider when using mobile
phone in public places
Participated and offered advice in private and public meetings pertaining to the Internet and advocacy activity

23

Involvement in SB Energy
community
Held explanation meetings with local residents regarding construction of power plant, and obtained agreement

SoftBank Mobile
Expand use of the donation platform available for many NPOs (KazashiteBokin)
Yahoo Japan■■Accept students for company tours as part of their social studies■■Hold study group activities in collaboration with parents and guardians and schools■■Hold special lessons for elementary, junior high school, and high school students (http://csr.yahoo.co.jp/stakeholder/child/2.html)(Japanese only)
SoftBank Payment Service■■Donate philanthropy seats to the Fukuoka and Saga Prefectural Councils of Social Welfare
Cyber University■■Maintain corporate scholarship program
Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS■■Visit Fukuoka Children’s Hospital■■Invite elementary school children to watch baseball games and offered special programs for parents and guardians (facilitate parent-childcommunication through baseball)■■Participate in Fukuoka City Tokimeki Project (supporting sales of artwork by people with special needs)

SB Energy
Hold explanation meetings with local residents regarding construction of power plant

Support for Reconstruction Efforts in Disaster Affected Areas
Great EastJapan
Earthquake

SoftBank Mobile, SoftBank BB

A+

SoftBank Mobile, SoftBank BB■■Reached 1.8 million subscribers in Charity White, a circle of support that takes monthly donations from mobile charges■■Increase subscribers in Charity White, a circle of support that takes monthly donations from mobile charges(http://www.softbank.jp/mobile/special/charity_white/) (Japanese only)
SoftBank Mobile■■Supported the economic revitalization of the affected areas
Offered support for smartphone apps skills development and employment creation
Provided Gift Tickets for Reconstruction■■Provided free mobile phones for loan at events held to support the recovery from the earthquake through “Charity Mobile Phones for
Tohoku—Widen the Circle of Support for the Reconstruction”
Yahoo Japan■■Held the TOUR de TOHOKU cycling event to support reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake and preserve the memory of thedisaster for the future■■Operated FUKKO DEPARTMENT selling specialties from the Tohoku region online■■Provided on-going Internet-based support for the affected areas
Charity auctions / Offering of volunteering information / Charity fund raising■■Conducted the Search for 3.11 Project(2,568,325 people performed a search for “3.11” and Yahoo Japan donated ¥25,683,250)
Vector■■Carried out fund raising through the Alpaca Leaf Project
Odds Park■■Made a donation to the Great East Japan Earthquake Recovery Initiatives Foundation (http://minnade-ganbaro.jp/shien/sponcor_dantai/)(Japanese only)
ValueCommerce■■Supported the activities of Web Bellmark by providing it with an affiliate program (https://www.webbellmark.jp/) (Japanese only)
SB Atwork■■Provided a framework and system for donations by deduction from employees’ salaries

SoftBank Mobile■■Continue to support the economic revitalization of the affected areas
Continue to provide support for smartphone apps skills development and employment creation
Continue to provide Gift Tickets for Reconstruction
Yahoo Japan■■Hold the TOUR de TOHOKU cycling event to support reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake and preserve the memory of thedisaster for the future■■Operate FUKKO DEPARTMENT selling specialties from the Tohoku region online■■Provide on-going Internet-based support for the affected areas (http://csr.yahoo.co.jp/fukkou/index.html) (Japanese only)
Charity auctions / Offering of volunteering information / Charity fund raising
Vector■■Continue fund raising through the Alpaca Leaf Project
Odds Park■■Make a donation to the Great East Japan Earthquake Recovery Initiatives Foundation
ValueCommerce■■Support the activities of Web Bellmark by providing it with an affiliate program (https://www.webbellmark.jp/) (Japanese only)
SB Atwork■■Extend the scope for providing a framework and system for donations by deduction from employees’ salaries

SoftBank Corp.
■■Conducted the 2nd TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program inviting 100 high school students from areas affected by the Great East

Japan Earthquake
SB Human Capital■■Provided a job information website at http://onejob.jp/ (Japanese only)
Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS■■Carried a banner on the official Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS website linking to the special website “Ganbaro! Nippon” (a collaborative
project by all 12 professional Japanese baseball teams) for supporting reconstruction of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake■■Set up donation boxes in every baseball stadium■■Carried the “Ganbaro! Nippon,” slogan for supporting reconstruction on team helmets

SoftBank Corp.
■■Conduct the 3rd TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program (http://usjapantomodachi.ayusajapan.org/) (Japanese only)

SB Human Capital■■Continue to provide the job information website

Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS■■Carried a banner on the official Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS website linking to the special website “Ganbaro! Nippon” (a collaborative projectby all 12 professional Japanese baseball teams) for supporting reconstruction of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake■■Set up donation boxes in every baseball stadium■■Continue to carry the “Ganbaro! Nippon,” slogan for supporting reconstruction on team helmets

The SoftBank Group
http://www.softbank.jp/en/• TM and © 2014 Apple Inc.  All rights reserved.  Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarksof Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The trademark “iPhone” is usedwith a license from Aiphone K.K. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
• Google, Google Apps for Business, Google Play, Google Play logo, and Android aretrademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.

Copyright © SoftBank Corp. All rights reserved.

July 2014