Corporate Social Responsibility

The Kiyo Financial Group’s Charter of Conduct specifies its commitment to environmental activities and its social action program. We are conscious that our survival depends on the regional community and are committed to regional activities and our social action program, including supporting the development of the arts, culture and sports and participating in regional events as a good corporate citizen working as part of the regional community.

The Kiyo Cultural Foundation

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of its foundation in August 1995, Kiyo Bank established the Kiyo Cultural Foundation, whose aim is to help enrich peoples’ lives and revitalize the regional community. Since then, the foundation has been providing people in the region with the opportunity to experience art and culture through initiatives such as holding classical music concerts and sending out invitations to special events at art galleries and museums.

Participation in Corporate Afforestation Project

As part of its commitment to environmental protection activities, the Bank is participating in a corporate afforestation and forest management project organized by Wakayama Prefecture to preserve the region’s forests. In April 2006, we kicked off our activities in Hidakagawa-cho, Wakayama, with Bank executives and other employees doing their part to preserve forests by planting a total of about 3,000 trees and clearing away undergrowth.
    Wakayama Prefecture has also established a program to estimate the effect that preservation of forests via the project would have on reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. It was estimated that there would be an annual reduction of around five tons as a result of the Bank’s activities. In addition, in February 2009, the Bank joined the “Regional Bank Federation for Protecting Japan’s Forests,” a project comprising a nationwide network of regional banks engaged in full-scale forest conservation activities. Through such activities, the Bank’s executives and other employees have deepened their understanding of the roles played by such forests in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and conserving natural forest resources, while at the same time forging closer ties with the people of the region.

Participation in Regional Events

The Bank takes an active part in regional events as a member of the regional community. Through these activities, including dispatching volunteers to run the “Wakaura Bay Marathon with Jazz” (a marathon run along a scenic course with jazz bands playing at points along the route) and participation in the Kishuu Odori festival, one of Wakayama’s biggest festivals held in summer, the Bank aims to deepen its interaction with people in the community.