Aozora Bank is aware of its responsibility to society, and we are expanding our CSR activities, aiming for observance of legal obligations, environmental consciousness, making a contribution to regions and communities and continuous social development. As well as actively promoting activities to contribute to society as a responsible corporate citizen, we also provide support for the social contribution activities of our individual employees. Some of the Bank's main CSR activities are outlined below.
Environmental Conservation Activities
Challenge 25 Campaign
The Bank participates in the Challenge 25 Campaign, a Japanese Ministry of the Environment campaign to reduce global warming. Aozora conducts ongoing activities to contribute to environmental conservation.
Efforts Toward the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Cap and Trade System
In January 2010, the Bank’s Fuchu Annex was specified as a ‘target office for global warming countermeasures.’ The Bank continues to make efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses from this office.
CO2 Reduction and Response to Electricity Shortage
As part of the Bank’s efforts toward reducing CO2 emissions and dealing with the nationwide power shortage following the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, the Bank has reduced the hours its neon and signboard lights are left switched on. It is aiming to cut its electricity usage by using fewer lights in offices, changing air conditioner settings and reducing the use of elevators.
Recycling of Waste Paper
As part of the Bank’s recycling efforts, documents that have reached the end of their storage period are processed and recycled, rather than being disposed of by incineration.
Recycling of Data Media No Longer Required
Data media, such as CDs and data storage disks, which are no longer required, are recycled to form solid fuel and used as a new source of energy.
Business Casual Dress Code
The Bank has chosen to participate in the Ministry of the Environment’s Cool Biz and Warm Biz initiatives in order to reduce the amount of energy consumed by air conditioners and heaters. As such, employees dress business casual throughout the year to be more comfortable in the workplace.
Participation in Eco Cap Initiative
Since December 2010, the Bank has participated in the separation and recycling of caps from plastic drink bottles as part of an initiative to provide vaccines for children around the world, as well as contributing to the reduction of CO2 released through incineration.
Social Contribution
Support for Regional Recovery Following the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake
1. Support for recovery activities in disaster-affected areas implemented by business alliance partner, Tsukuba Bank
The Bank contributed ¥5 million in support of the Ibaraki Prefecture Recovery Project, ‘Ayumi,’ which is being promoted by Tsukuba Bank in order to assist with recovery in disaster-affected areas within Ibaraki Prefecture.
2. Continuation of donations by the Aozora Bank Group’s executive officers and employees
The Aozora Bank Group continues the collection of donations and relief supplies from its executive officers and employees.
3. Continuation of volunteer holiday entitlement for executive officers and employees
The ‘Great Eastern Japan Earthquake Volunteer Holiday’ entitlement system was established for executive officers and employees of the Aozora Bank Group who wish to participate in volunteer activities in support of the victims of the disaster. The Bank intends to extend the holiday entitlement and provide greater assistance.
4. Sponsorship of the Elleair Ladies Open in support of Great Eastern Japan Earthquake recovery efforts
The Bank was a sponsor of the 31st Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open golf competition, held in November 2012 in support of Great Eastern Japan Earthquake recovery efforts.
While the competition has been held in Shikoku for the last thirty years, this time it was held in Fukushima Prefecture’s Iwaki City in a show of support.
During the competition, support activities included a market selling specialty items from Fukushima Prefecture within the competition venue, and the Bank’s sponsorship of the event was based on a shared desire to support the recovery of eastern Japan through sporting events.
（Photograph: Front Aozora Bank Deputy President Kunimi Tokuoka; Daio Paper Corp. President Masayoshi Sako and Senior Managing Director Toshihiro Adachi. Back Aozora Bank MEO Katsuya Hosono）
'Table for Two' Initiative
The concept behind this program is to bring people from developed countries together with children from developing countries to share meals. The Bank has implemented this program at its head office cafeteria from March 2011, and the number of donations from employees, amounting to ¥20 per meal, has been increasing gradually. The price of one school meal in developing countries is approximately equal to one donation. As of May 2012, we have donated approximately 7 thousand meals.
4th Blue Sky Concert
As part of the Bank’s support for culture and the arts, we held our fourth Blue Sky Concert at the Sendai Municipal War Memorial Hall in December 2011. Approximately 300 of the Bank’s customers were invited to attend the performance of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra string quartet.
Support for Special Olympics Nippon (SON)
The Bank supports the marketing activities of Special Olympics Nippon (SON), a public interest incorporated association, which empowers people with intellectual disabilities to participate in their communities, develop belief in themselves and improve their quality of life by offering ongoing sports training and holding games to show their abilities. The Bank has placed ‘Support Fundraising’ pamphlets for individual donations at branches since May 2010 to support SON PR activities. The Bank also participates in events held by SON, including the making of ‘micanga’ (good luck bracelets), which are presented as a sign of support to each of the athletes who participate in national tournaments, as well as the making of mini-flags in support of athletes participating in the Tokyo Marathon.
United Nations and Japanese Habitat Associations
The Bank supports the international community development work of the United Nations and Japanese Habitat Associations, including through the collection of donations.
Used Stamps for Volunteer Organization
Used stamps are collected within the Bank in order to provide support in the form of capital and medical supplies for volunteer groups engaged in providing medical care overseas.
Installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
We have installed AEDs at our head office and Fuchu Annex.
Close Regional Relationships
Local Cleanup Activities
In addition to carrying out a voluntary cleanup of the area around the Bank’s head office, Aozora takes part in the Chiyoda Ward Cleanup Days in June and November each year with the objective of increasing awareness of environmental beautification in Chiyoda Ward. In cooperation with neighboring financial institutions, the Bank’s Sendai Branch takes part in fortnightly cleaning activities mainly along the city’s Aoba Dori.
Sprinkling Water to Cool Down the Pavement
From early to mid-August, when power saving was a particular concern, bank employees sprinkled water onto hot pavements to cool down the temperature around the head office as a way to counter the heat-island effect.
Nihonbashi River Cleanup Operation
In September 2011, Aozora conducted a cleanup operation of the Nihonbashi River with the cooperation of the NPO Nihonbashi and Kanda River Revivification Association.
Hanakaido Flower Support Program on Chuo Dori in Nihonbashi
The Bank’s Nihonbashi Branch participates in the Chuo Dori Hanakaido (Road of Flowers) Flower Support Program, bringing Chuo Dori in Nihonbashi to life with the colors of seasonal flowers. As a ‘flower volunteer,’ the Nihonbashi Branch maintains flower beds along the street.
Finance for Regional Medical Institutions
In cooperation with regional financial institution clients, Aozora Bank supports the finance side of hospital operations, which are crucial to regional health, by conducting situational analyses of medical institutions, assisting in the creation of business plans, and acting as a funding arranger.
Support for the Elderly and Disabled Customers
Introduction of Communication Boards and Erasable Writing Boards with Pen Sets at All Aozora Branches
The Bank introduced Universal Design Communication Boards and erasable writing boards with pen sets to assist the smooth processing of customers with hearing difficulties upon their visits to branches.
Human Rights Awareness
Aozora is committed to promoting a corporate culture in which the diversity and talents of all of our employees are respected. The Bank’s Human Rights Enlightenment Committee was established to promote human rights through the provision of training programs and activities, such as encouraging employees to create human rights slogans. Aozora Bank Group slogans are annual prizewinners in the Human Rights Slogan Competition sponsored by external institutions.
