A Sumitomo Corporation-sponsored program at Nankai University is now in its third year. The current school year, which started in September 2009, has so far been running smoothly. Takuro Kawahara, Director and Managing Executive Officer of Sumitomo Corporation recently gave a lecture at the university titled "The CSR Strategy of Sumitomo Corporation Group Companies" in line with the main theme of the program, "Corporate Social Responsibilities."

To give students a better understanding of the group companies' CSR strategy, Kawahara started his talk with an explanation of the "historical development of Sumitomo as an integrated trading company," outlining how the company has improved its business functions, expanded operations and taken on various roles in response to the different social demands of each age. Using specific examples, he explained that the group companies' CSR strategy is based on responsible actions that accord with the Group's "Management Principles and Activity Guidelines," which is in turn derived from the "Sumitomo's Business Philosophy," the consistent and unshakable philosophy that Sumitomo Corporation has maintained even during times of change and adaptation.

Although the area was hit by a cold spell on the day of the lecture, undergraduate students poured into the venue and listened intently to Kawahara's lecture until the end. At a later talk session with university officials, mention was made of the coincidence that both Sumitomo Corporation and Nankai University, one of China's leading universities, are both celebrating their 90th anniversary this year. Sumitomo Corporation is sponsoring the program in the hope of making some contribution, even if small, to the development of the next generation of Chinese leaders.