CEO Commitment

Promoting CSR Management by Pursuing Unshakable Integrity

As President and CEO of Toshiba, I recognize that the basis for setting ambitious goals for the innovations that will make Toshiba Group an even stronger global contender, and for realizing the accelerated globalization essential for our future, is to promote CSR management as the cornerstone of management policy. And we must do this with an unshakable integrity.

At Toshiba, integrity embodies two meanings. First, it refers to meeting our responsibilities to society. We seek to contribute to the future of a sustainable planet Earth by addressing global issues, such as global warming, and by carrying out social contribution programs. Beyond that, integrity refers to securing sound management and finances. To this end, we place the highest priority on human life, safety and compliance in all areas of business. As we work toward securing a strong financial footing, we will also endeavor to retain the trust of all our stakeholders.

Continuing to Support Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake

Toshiba Group has channeled extensive resources into supporting recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Tohoku on March 11, 2011.

As a first step, we arranged for the early supply of emergency aid, including provision of essential products manufactured by the Group. Following on from that, we believe that the most important contribution we can make to reconstruction is to create employment. Measures here include rebuilding the fishing industry by supplying fishing boats and assisting electrical appliance stores in resuming their business. We have also set up a fund and granted Toshiba scholarships to 230 university students who were victims of the disaster.

This is a long-term commitment, embodied in our “Toshiba East Japan ASHITA (Future) Plan.“ In FY2012, we will provide support worth 500 million yen for the continued reconstruction of fisheries and other job creation efforts, re-establishing the independence of local communities, and other areas of need. In April 2012, we dispatched 767 new employees to the stricken areas to support reconstruction efforts and to raise their awareness of the importance of embracing social responsibility.

As a developer of nuclear power generation systems, we realize the serious implications of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. At the request of the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc., we have made utmost efforts to implement measures that ensure the integrity of the site. Drawing on our technology and expertise, we developed highly efficient, stable contaminated water-disposal equipment that contributed to the cold shutdowns of Units 1 to 3. We have also developed portable water and soil disposal systems and proposed their application to administrative agencies and other entities.

Toshiba Group will continue support reconstruction activities in light of progress made. We will also offer support through our business operations and contribute to the reconstruction by proposing and implementing safe, environmentally aware city planning.

Implement the Fifth Environmental Action Plan as one of the World's Foremost Eco-Companies

We are deeply aware of the many social issues facing the world today, particularly environmental challenges, such as global warming. We are committed to responding with initiatives guided by four key concepts: Greening of Products, Greening by Technology, Greening of Process and Green Management. In FY2012, as part of our Fifth Environmental Action Plan, Toshiba Group has set ambitious mid-term goals for the period up to FY2015.

Through Greening of Products we aim to develop products, across our businesses, which offer the highest levels of environmental performance. We will increase sales of products certified as Excellent Environmentally Conscious Products (ECP), and in doing so reduce annual CO2 emissions by 15 million tons in FY2015.

Through Greening by Technology we will improve power generation systems that utilize renewable energy and promote solar and wind power in addition to hydraulic power and geothermal energy. We will also pursue the best mix of energy generation, including high efficiency thermal power and safer nuclear power, thereby contributing to the realization of a low-carbon society.

Toshiba Group is also taking the lead in smart community, next-generation technologies for integrated management and optimal control of all infrastructures, including electricity and water supply, transportation, distribution, health care and information. In May 2012, we were involved in 27 smart community projects in Japan and abroad. In this essential area, we will make free use of the Group's diverse capabilities and collective strengths to contribute to the realization of a secure, comfortable and sustainable society.

Through Greening of Process we aim to minimize environmental impact by boosting the efficiency of manufacturing processes. In FY2012 Toshiba Group will make investments in energy conservation totaling 3.7 billion yen as part of an all-out effort to cut power consumption in all of our facilities and to establish high efficiency manufacturing systems. Our target is to reduce overall CO₂ emissions by 30,000 tons during the year.

Green Management underpins these three approaches. It centers on creating a greater environmental awareness among all Toshiba Group employees worldwide and promoting protection of biodiversity and other environmental initiatives on a global scale. As one of the world's foremost eco-companies that drive the world, we will actively push forward with these four initiatives.

Worldwide Social Contribution Programs

As it helps to ameliorate social problems through its business activities, Toshiba Group also promotes social contribution programs that support educational and cultural activities around the world. Education provides sustenance for future generations, and we have long made this, particularly science education, a focus area. In North America we have sponsored a K-12 student science contest since 1992; in China we have helped build elementary schools in the provinces since 2002 and also run a competition for science teachers; in Japan we work with NPOs to support hands-on science education.

We also contribute to preserving culture and the arts around the world. For instance, we have supported the Japanese galleries at Britain's Victoria and Albert Museum since 1986. In France, we have been installing LED lighting to illuminate the Louvre Museum since 2011.

Meeting the Expectations of our Many Stakeholders

Toshiba Group strives to live up to the expectations of a diverse stakeholder base that includes shareholders, investors, customers, suppliers and local communities, and to promote CSR management that meets global standards. In 2004 Toshiba became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, as we share its commitment to human rights, labor standards, the environment and anti-corruption. We also observe ISO 26000, a set of international guidelines on social responsibility published in 2010.

We consider it our responsibility as a global corporation to request that our partners in our supply chain promote CSR management. Toshiba Group fully recognizes the serious human rights issue posed by trade in conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries. In contributing to finding a solution to this problem we have formulated a policy that we ask our suppliers to join us in observing.

We will continue to operate as a corporate citizen of planet Earth that contributes to the global environment while respecting the diverse histories, cultures and customs of different countries. As we do so, I hope that we may rely on your continued support and cooperation.

Norio Sasaki
Director, President and CEO
Toshiba Corporation