Regarding our efforts against Johnny & Associates Inc.

September 21, 2023
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. ("SMM") views the sexual abuse perpetrated by Johnny Kitagawa, the former president of Johnny & Associates Inc. ("the Company"), as a completely unacceptable violation of human rights, and is responding to this matter in line with the Sumitomo Metal Mining Group Policy on Human Rights that was formulated on the basis of the United Nations' Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international norms.

In concrete terms, prior to the press conference held by the Company, SMM issued a written demand to them on September 4th for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the abuse, full redress for the victims and prevention of any further human rights violations, and stated that should these actions not be taken, then the business relationship would not be able to continue.

SMM states in its human rights policy that if a business partner or other stakeholder is involved in adverse human rights impacts, it shall encourage them not to infringe human rights and shall cooperate in corrective action and measures for redress. In terms of the sexual abuse in this case, SMM intends to be involved in corrective actions and improvements concerning human rights issues at the Company from the position that enables SMM to reduce the risk of human rights violations across its supply chain.

From this perspective, while we currently have no plans to immediately cease using the actor from the Company, we shall monitor how they handles the situation going forward and shall work towards corrective action and redress for human rights violations.