Group Companies' Contribution Activities to Society
MUFG works to strengthen community ties and enhance corporate value by endeavoring to build trust among local communities in Japan and overseas, as well as with customers.
Local Community Involvement by Branch Employees
Based on the recognition that MUFG is supported by society and the people in communities in which it operates, employees of local branches show appreciation by participating in local community activities. In FY 2016, employees played a key role at local branch offices of the group, and engaged in a wide variety of activities, including financial and economic education; the hosting of seminars; operational support for local events; and visits to foster homes.
Global Volunteer Month "MUFG Gives Back"
Since the establishment of Global Volunteer Month in 2013, MUFG employees all over the world have been working together on initiatives to host local contribution activities.
In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan was blessed with support from across the world for its reconstruction efforts. In response, and as an opportunity to express gratitude for the support Japan recieved, we have christened these initiatives "MUFG Gives Back," and we continue to expand our activities each year.
As a global initiative, in which employees are engaged in CSR activities together at the same time, MUFG Gives Back is one of the largest CSR initiatives among Japanese corporates, representing an opportunity for employees in their respective areas and at their respective branches to experience the impact of local philanthropy. In this section, we introduce a sample of the activities.
In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan was blessed with support from across the world for its reconstruction efforts. In response, and as an opportunity to express gratitude for the support Japan recieved, we have christened these initiatives "MUFG Gives Back," and we continue to expand our activities each year.
As a global initiative, in which employees are engaged in CSR activities together at the same time, MUFG Gives Back is one of the largest CSR initiatives among Japanese corporates, representing an opportunity for employees in their respective areas and at their respective branches to experience the impact of local philanthropy. In this section, we introduce a sample of the activities.
Americas
Community Activity with the Student Conservation Association
MUFG in the Americas has partnered for many years with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) through volunteering and financial support from MUFG Union Bank Foundation. The SCA is a U.S. national nonprofit organization that recruits students and other volunteers of all ages to participate in environmental preservation.
On the East Coast, MUFG volunteers and friends participated in cleaning up and renovation work on New York City Park. The restoration project, which was undertaken by 56 bank employees, family members and friends, and youth members of the SCA, transformed the 10.5-acre park. One crew raked a large area of planted flower beds and added 12 cubic yards of mulch, which provides winter insulation, while a second crew gave all of the heavily weathered benches near the playground a fresh coat of green paint.
On the West Coast, a team of 20 bank volunteers converged on Stow Lake in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, mulching and widening nearly 150 feet of trail, and removing a quarter-acre of ivy, among other tasks. In addition to removing ivy and mulching trails, the team planted five pallets of shrubbery, including 12 lavender plants, on a sunny Saturday morning.
On the East Coast, MUFG volunteers and friends participated in cleaning up and renovation work on New York City Park. The restoration project, which was undertaken by 56 bank employees, family members and friends, and youth members of the SCA, transformed the 10.5-acre park. One crew raked a large area of planted flower beds and added 12 cubic yards of mulch, which provides winter insulation, while a second crew gave all of the heavily weathered benches near the playground a fresh coat of green paint.
On the West Coast, a team of 20 bank volunteers converged on Stow Lake in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, mulching and widening nearly 150 feet of trail, and removing a quarter-acre of ivy, among other tasks. In addition to removing ivy and mulching trails, the team planted five pallets of shrubbery, including 12 lavender plants, on a sunny Saturday morning.
Park cleaning up and renovation work
Supporting Children with Life-threatening Medical Conditions/ Food Recovery and Redistribution Program "Granting Wishes and Changing Lives"
The bank's Canadian offices has supported Make-A-Wish Canada, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions in order to enrich their and their families' lives with hope, strength, and joy.
Staff embarked on a wish-granting mission and fundraised through activities that spanned the bank's Canadian offices.
Our fundraising efforts helped a girl with an inveterate disease, go to Hollywood with her family. She often dreamt about the glamorous lifestyles that she imagined celebrities in Los Angeles have, and wondered what it would be like to live in a place that was warm all year long. Her trip marked a special time in her life, allowing her and her family to spend time together and just focus on having fun.
And also, staff from our Vancouver office volunteered at DQuest Food Exchange, a food recovery and redistribution nonprofit organization.
Quest Food Exchange partners with local social agencies and redirects quality unused food that might otherwise go to waste to people facing barriers to healthy, affordable food.
The program focuses on transitioning individuals from food-bank reliance to self-sufficiency, while fostering sustainability and building community in the region.
At Quest Food Exchange, staff and numerous volunteers collect food donations, then sort, process, and distribute the food to participating agencies.
Staff embarked on a wish-granting mission and fundraised through activities that spanned the bank's Canadian offices.
Our fundraising efforts helped a girl with an inveterate disease, go to Hollywood with her family. She often dreamt about the glamorous lifestyles that she imagined celebrities in Los Angeles have, and wondered what it would be like to live in a place that was warm all year long. Her trip marked a special time in her life, allowing her and her family to spend time together and just focus on having fun.
And also, staff from our Vancouver office volunteered at DQuest Food Exchange, a food recovery and redistribution nonprofit organization.
Quest Food Exchange partners with local social agencies and redirects quality unused food that might otherwise go to waste to people facing barriers to healthy, affordable food.
The program focuses on transitioning individuals from food-bank reliance to self-sufficiency, while fostering sustainability and building community in the region.
At Quest Food Exchange, staff and numerous volunteers collect food donations, then sort, process, and distribute the food to participating agencies.
Volunteers from Vancouver office
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Supporting the integration of refugee
The refugee crisis has been one of the largest humanitarian disasters the world has faced in the past decade. With a huge number of people fleeing their homes and countries to find safer places to live across.
Europe, it is imperative to provide support in order to help integrate them and to become active members of the community.
Returning from the One Young World summit with a greater awareness of the global refugee crisis, an employee in Amsterdam refused to ignore the problem on her doorstep and decided to take action by involving colleagues from her office.
The result was 20 colleagues working closely with a local foundation to host a dinner for 80 refugees living in a refugee center in Amsterdam. The dinner was beneficial for both parties; for the refugees it was a chance to meet local people and to understand more about the culture, while our MUFG volunteers really enjoyed the experience. They learned so much about the refugees' backgrounds, their different cultures and the struggles they are facing.
Our MUFG colleagues will continue supporting the needs of local refugees.
Europe, it is imperative to provide support in order to help integrate them and to become active members of the community.
Returning from the One Young World summit with a greater awareness of the global refugee crisis, an employee in Amsterdam refused to ignore the problem on her doorstep and decided to take action by involving colleagues from her office.
The result was 20 colleagues working closely with a local foundation to host a dinner for 80 refugees living in a refugee center in Amsterdam. The dinner was beneficial for both parties; for the refugees it was a chance to meet local people and to understand more about the culture, while our MUFG volunteers really enjoyed the experience. They learned so much about the refugees' backgrounds, their different cultures and the struggles they are facing.
Our MUFG colleagues will continue supporting the needs of local refugees.
Dinner for 80 refugees living in a refugee center
Supporting children with learning disabilities
Employees in Johannesburg focused their efforts on a local school whose garden was in desperate need of maintenance. The school works with children and adolescents who have autism and learning difficulties. Volunteers regenerated the school's vegetable garden that helps support the children's development, confidence and sense of responsibility. It also supports financial education as students can sell vegetables to their school kitchen and visitors, further developing their respect for nature, entrepreneurial skills, and cognitive function.
The MUFG team worked tirelessly to complete the task at hand to ensure that the change was sustainable. They first repaired the water tank and irrigation system to save the students from carrying water to the garden. On the day of the team challenge, students, teachers and the MUFG team cleared away debris and weeds and then planted a lemon tree.
The MUFG team worked tirelessly to complete the task at hand to ensure that the change was sustainable. They first repaired the water tank and irrigation system to save the students from carrying water to the garden. On the day of the team challenge, students, teachers and the MUFG team cleared away debris and weeds and then planted a lemon tree.
Employees from Johannesburg Representative Office and Students
Asia and Oceania
Africa Sunlight Lantern Support "Lighting Children"
Seoul Branch held an event to assemble solar lanterns and donate them to Malawi, Africa, where many children are forced to live in darkness without electricity. We made contributions by purchasing lantern kits from NGO, as well as sending "light" to African children who are suffering a lack of energy, through the donation of assembled lanterns to the region. The solar lantern, which uses eco-friendly solar energy to produce light, can illuminate for up to twelve hours after charging for five hours in sunlight. Lanterns will provide a safer environment for African children and can be used as an effective educational tool by enabling children to study at night.
Employees assembled lanterns in a dark room so that they can imagine the actual life of African children who live in darkness. By assembling lanterns under small lights in the dark, employees rediscovered the importance of lanterns for African children and deepened their understanding of the region.
Employees assembled lanterns in a dark room so that they can imagine the actual life of African children who live in darkness. By assembling lanterns under small lights in the dark, employees rediscovered the importance of lanterns for African children and deepened their understanding of the region.
Children from Malawi,
Africa who have received the Sunlight Lanterns
Africa who have received the Sunlight Lanterns
Contribute to nature - wetlands protection and preservation
Wugu Wetland Ecological District located in the west of Xinbei provides incredibly diverse ecosystems for 117 species of migratory birds and a large number of endemic Taiwanese plants. However, the wetland has suffered the highly destructive effects of polluted wastewater and a large amount of garbage over the past few decades. In order to preserve the wildlife's habitat and biodiversity, the employees of MUFG Bank Taipei Branch and Kaohsiung Branch and their families conducted a half-day activity with the theme "MUFG Clean-up the Weekend".
The Society of Wilderness arranged a fun tour to educate the participants about the benefits provided by wetland ecosystems as well as improve their understanding of the importance of restoring wetland habitats for wildlife. After the tour, all the participants endeavored to remove outside species/plants and all sorts of trash such as plastic bags, wood and cans, to give clean homes back to the wildlife.
The Society of Wilderness arranged a fun tour to educate the participants about the benefits provided by wetland ecosystems as well as improve their understanding of the importance of restoring wetland habitats for wildlife. After the tour, all the participants endeavored to remove outside species/plants and all sorts of trash such as plastic bags, wood and cans, to give clean homes back to the wildlife.
Clean up wastes
Encouraging Children to Dream
Employees from Ho Chi Minh City Branch organized several activities for students at a local primary school to encourage them to imagine and shape their future - in particular, those from lower income households who are vulnerable to dropping out after primary school to work and contribute to the family income.
Volunteers went to the school in Long An Province with games to break the ice with the children, followed by an art contest to depict their dream careers as adults. The pictures were varied with many desired occupations from doctors, teachers and law enforcement officers to fashion designers and wildlife conservationists. More importantly, this was an opportunity for them to share their career aspirations with their teachers as well as their parents.
The branch also donated atlases and English books to the school to broaden the minds of the students and further encourage them to nurture their dreams.
Volunteers went to the school in Long An Province with games to break the ice with the children, followed by an art contest to depict their dream careers as adults. The pictures were varied with many desired occupations from doctors, teachers and law enforcement officers to fashion designers and wildlife conservationists. More importantly, this was an opportunity for them to share their career aspirations with their teachers as well as their parents.
The branch also donated atlases and English books to the school to broaden the minds of the students and further encourage them to nurture their dreams.
Employees and their family members from
Ho Chi Minh City Branch
Ho Chi Minh City Branch
Colombo Representative Office puts shoes on the feet of the children
Sri Lanka was affected by torrential rains in May 2016, causing floods and landslides that affected half a million people. Most of the children lost their personal belongings including shoes during the flood.
Colombo Representative Office purchased 152 new pairs of shoes and socks for the students of Kumarathunga Munidasa Junior High, and donated them to the school.
In addition, staff volunteers took the opportunity to share their experience in banking as a career, and gave a video presentation on Japanese technology and bullet trains - a topic that the students were keenly interested in.
Colombo Representative Office purchased 152 new pairs of shoes and socks for the students of Kumarathunga Munidasa Junior High, and donated them to the school.
In addition, staff volunteers took the opportunity to share their experience in banking as a career, and gave a video presentation on Japanese technology and bullet trains - a topic that the students were keenly interested in.
Employees from Colombo Representative Office and Students
Krungsri
Live Community, Give Community
Krungsri organized its annual 'Krungsri CSR & Club Open House 2017' event for the second year. The event aimed to raise awareness of 'sharing' and encourages employees to contribute more to the community by signing up to be a Krungsri volunteer for various CSR activities.
The staff could also share their ideas regarding their contribution to sustainable development by writing them on green and blue sticky notes and posted them on a 'Live & Give Community Board', which introduces all-year CSR activities that they can join.
At the event, 559 staff registered as volunteers for CSR activities and 551 staff registered as a member of one of the 13 employees' recreational clubs (Krungsri Clubs).
The staff could also share their ideas regarding their contribution to sustainable development by writing them on green and blue sticky notes and posted them on a 'Live & Give Community Board', which introduces all-year CSR activities that they can join.
At the event, 559 staff registered as volunteers for CSR activities and 551 staff registered as a member of one of the 13 employees' recreational clubs (Krungsri Clubs).
Sharing their ideas by writing them on sticky notes
Japan
Implementing the “Everybody! Happy Christmas” Project
Domestic offices of MUFG Group companies staged the “Everybody! Happy Christmas” project.
A variety of creative initiatives including a quiz on SDGs and a walking event were implemented by the companies. As a result, a total of approximately 7,800 people participated and contributions of about 2,600,000 yen corresponding to the number of participants were donated to NPO Charity Santa’s “Rudolph Fund”.
Also, on December 22 and 24, in collaboration with NPO Charity Santa, MUFG employees dressed up in Santa Claus costumes and conducted the “Charity Santa Volunteer” initiative for delivering presents to children who face poverty and other hardships.
The participants approached the day fully prepared after attending role-playing training in advance. The children responded with surprise, excitement and so on to the unexpected visits from the Santas, however, everybody left with a smile on their face, and the activity also proved to be highly beneficial for the participating employees too.
Participants dressed as Santa Claus
Social Contribution Activities through the Foundations
MUFG Bank
Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation
Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation promotes international exchanges in Asian and other countries. To foster human resources development in Japan and overseas, the Foundation provides financial assistance to a variety of international exchange programs and offers scholarships to students in Japan and overseas. Over 10,000 students have been provided with scholarships thus far.
Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation (in Japanese)
Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation (in Japanese)
Mitsubishi UFJ Environment Foundation
The Mitsubishi UFJ Environment Foundation plays a key role in MUFG's efforts to address environmental and social concerns, supporting a wide range of efforts. These include activities to improve the natural environment, especially by supporting tree planting, village forest conservation, and the creation of biotopes (natural habitat areas) at schools; organizing the Midori-no-e contest; offering sponsored lectures at universities and other environmental education events; and undertaking the Headwaters Forest project, which has involved participants in hands-on reforestation and nature observation activities in the Tone River watershed.Moreover, to support reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Foundation is also engaged the planting of trees along the shoreline in affected prefectures as a disaster prevention initiative, in addition to tree planting activities at affected schools.
Environment Education Project Midori-no-e Contest
With a focus on nature and on the premise of wanting participants to understand its beauty and significance, the Mitsubishi UFJ Environment Foundation holds the Midori-no-e contest, which encourages children to submit their paintings of nature. The contest is sponsored by MUFG Bank and backed by the Ministry of the Environment, the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, and The Mainichi Newspapers. Each year the foundation collects approximately 30,000 entries from children at kindergartens and elementary schools across the country.
Mitsubishi-UFJ Technology Development Foundation
Mitsubishi-UFJ Technology Development Foundation (known as MU-TECH) has been a pioneer in providing support for private sector ventures in Japan. The foundation aims to comprehensively foster the development of the technology-oriented small- and medium-sized enterprises (venture businesses) that are vital for Japan's economic development. To this end, the foundation provides a wide range of assistance, including research and development grants, shareholding, information provision, and consulting services.
Mitsubishi-UFJ Technology Development Foundation (in Japanese)
Mitsubishi-UFJ Technology Development Foundation (in Japanese)
Institute for International Monetary Affairs
The Institute for International Monetary Affairs contributes to the stability and development of global financial economic society and, with the objective of deepening mutual understanding between Japan and other countries, is engaged in investigative research and the exchange of information regarding the international economy, finance, and currencies.
Institute for International Monetary Affairs (in Japanese)
Institute for International Monetary Affairs (in Japanese)
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Scholarship Foundation
This foundation provides scholarships and funding to promising young people to foster human resources and advance academic research.
The Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Scholarship Foundation
The Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Scholarship Foundation
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Foundation for the Arts
This foundation supports the advancement and dynamism of music and arts, and provides funding for performances by Japanese groups such as operas and orchestras that have attained a certain level of artistic standard.
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Cultural Foundation
This foundation is engaged in support for organizations that are making efforts to promote local culture in the fields of music, art, theater and traditional arts.
Local & Social Contribution Efforts In Collaborating with OISCA
The Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International (OISCA) is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) operating in 36 countries and territories, with its head office in Tokyo, Japan. Established on OISCA's philosophy, OISCA Japan is engaged in the development of local rural areas and implementing environmental conservation projects mostly in Asia Pacific Region. OISCA Japan also implements human development trainings, targeting young people. Graduates of the training program are expected to become future leaders and contribute to the development of their own respective communities and countries. Through OISCA's network within and outside Japan, MUFG's collaboration with the organization is making efforts to contribute to a wider sphere of countries and regions as well as local and regional societies.
OISCA
OISCA Japan (in Japanese)
OISCA
OISCA Japan (in Japanese)
Next Generation Leader Program for the Asia Pacific Region
MUFG, in collaboration with OISCA Japan, conducts the "Next Generation Leader Program for the Asia Pacific Region" For one year, young trainees from the Asia Pacific Region undergo training about sustainable organic farming techniques and other skills at the OISCA Japan Training Center in Fukuoka prefecture. The training also aims to nurture trainees to become future leaders in their own country or region. MUFG has been supporting this initiative since FY 2008.
The trainees come from various countries, speak different languages, have diverse religions and backgrounds, and live together at the training center. As they are learning sustainable agricultural techniques, they foster a spirit of self-reliance and hone their leadership skills.
10 trainees from different countries have training in Japan, every year, and the overview of their training curriculum is as follows.
The trainees come from various countries, speak different languages, have diverse religions and backgrounds, and live together at the training center. As they are learning sustainable agricultural techniques, they foster a spirit of self-reliance and hone their leadership skills.
10 trainees from different countries have training in Japan, every year, and the overview of their training curriculum is as follows.
Overview of the one-year curriculum
| Schedule | Curriculum | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| April | Arrival in Japan, Orientation | Program introduction |
| April - June | Basic training | Acquisition of basic Japanese language skills and knowledge of Japanese culture: global farming practices; regional development methodologies in rural areas; and the philosophy, significance, and current state of international cooperation |
| June - February the following year |
Practical/ technical training |
Learning about organic rice farming, growth and yield assessment, soil preparation, pest control, fundamental principles of farming, and the improvement of management skills |
| March the following year |
Training report/performance assessment meeting, return to home country |
Presentation of training outcomes |
Various aspects of the program over the year
Firstly, basic training establishes Japanese as the common language at the training center. The center provides Japanese food, Japanese style tatami rooms, and other such typically Japanese concepts to deepen the trainees' understanding of Japanese culture.
After three months, the trainees acquire basic Japanese and move on to practical training in eco-friendly organic farming. Technical training starts with lessons on an essential aspect of organic farming - how to make bokashi fertilizer and compost, which consists of fermented organic matter - and proceeds to the maintenance of farming machinery and how to grow crops appropriate for the climate and soil of the trainees' home countries.
Furthermore, trainees also learn management skills, thereby nurturing them to become future leaders who can pass on their knowledge of organic farming techniques to local residents and the next generation upon returning home.
At the end of the training, all trainees present what they have learned through the various trainings, thereby marking the end of the program.
After three months, the trainees acquire basic Japanese and move on to practical training in eco-friendly organic farming. Technical training starts with lessons on an essential aspect of organic farming - how to make bokashi fertilizer and compost, which consists of fermented organic matter - and proceeds to the maintenance of farming machinery and how to grow crops appropriate for the climate and soil of the trainees' home countries.
Furthermore, trainees also learn management skills, thereby nurturing them to become future leaders who can pass on their knowledge of organic farming techniques to local residents and the next generation upon returning home.
At the end of the training, all trainees present what they have learned through the various trainings, thereby marking the end of the program.
Post-Training Contribution to Local Development in Various Roles
To date, the program has accommodated a total of close to 100 trainees. According to follow-up surveys conducted by OISCA Japan, graduates of the program have gone on to take up a variety of positions, including at government institutions, at research facilities in their home country or region, and at local OISCA branches. Many of the graduates are working to raise awareness of and improve agriculture practices, improve the quality of seedlings, and contribute to techniques to improve soil maintenance, in addition to other agricultural and environmental preservation roles.
Going forward, MUFG will continue to contribute to economic expansion in the Asia Pacific region through continued support of this program.
Going forward, MUFG will continue to contribute to economic expansion in the Asia Pacific region through continued support of this program.
Support for Environmental Preservation and
Disaster Reconstruction Activities
Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS (NICOS) has been donating a portion of expenses saved in the shift to paperless credit card statements to OISCA Japan, which is engaged in a wide range of activities in the area of environmental preservation.
In FY 2017, the total donation was approximately ￥7 million, which supports OISCA Japan's initiatives to promote school-managed forests in Japan and the "Coastal Forest Restoration Project," which supports disaster reconstruction efforts in the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
MUFG employees taking part in the "Coastal Forest Restoration Project," most of who are NICOS employees, participate as volunteers.
In FY 2017, the total donation was approximately ￥7 million, which supports OISCA Japan's initiatives to promote school-managed forests in Japan and the "Coastal Forest Restoration Project," which supports disaster reconstruction efforts in the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
MUFG employees taking part in the "Coastal Forest Restoration Project," most of who are NICOS employees, participate as volunteers.
（As of February 2020）