Strengthening Human Rights Respect Initiatives through the Use of a "Dialogue and Remedy Platform" - Joining the Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights (JaCER) -

Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. (President: Toshiro Mitsuyoshi; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has become a full member of the Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights (hereinafter, JaCER). Starting April 1, the company will begin accepting complaints and reports regarding business and human rights issues through the "Dialogue and Remedy Platform" provided by JaCER. By accepting reports not only from employees but from all stakeholders, including those in the supply chain, the company will strengthen its initiatives to respect human rights.

About JaCER JaCER provides a "Dialogue and Remedy Platform," a non-judicial grievance mechanism that facilitates resolution through third-party mediation, in accordance with the "UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights*¹." It is an organization that aims to support and promote the grievance handling of member companies from a professional standpoint. (Reference) JaCER Website: https://jacer-bhr.org/index.html

Overview of the Dialogue and Remedy Platform Target Cases Cases related to business and human rights issues that involve violations, or suspected violations, of international codes of conduct such as the International Bill of Human Rights, or domestic regulations in each country*².

Target Regions All regions, both domestic and international.

Eligible Users All stakeholders, including not only the company's own employees but also people working for business partners in the value chain, local communities, individuals who are or may be adversely affected from a human rights perspective, and their representatives.

Reporting Channel (JaCER Reporting Form) https://jacer-bhr.org/application/form.html

Start Date April 1, 2026

International guidelines such as the "UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" call for companies to establish mechanisms that allow all stakeholders—not just their own employees, but also business partners and local residents involved in business activities—to report concerns and have them handled appropriately. This "grievance mechanism" plays an important role in enabling the early detection of and rapid response to human rights violations, minimizing the negative human rights impacts caused by corporate activities. Establishing a highly transparent dialogue and remedy system also leads to improved social trust in the company.

Sumitomo Forestry Group's Initiatives for a "Grievance Mechanism" To date, the company has established systems to accept reports and consultations from employees, such as a compliance counter, a harassment consultation desk, and a global internal reporting system. By utilizing the "Dialogue and Remedy Platform," the company is creating an environment that can be used by a wide range of stakeholders, including business partners, in addition to group employees. By establishing a dialogue and resolution process through a third party, the company will ensure even greater fairness and transparency. (Reference) Sumitomo Forestry Group's Human Rights Initiatives: https://sfc.jp/information/sustainability/social/human-rights/

*1 An international standard for respecting human rights in corporate activities, adopted unanimously by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011. It consists of three pillars: the state's "duty to protect human rights," the corporate "responsibility to respect human rights," and "access to remedy." *2 Routine complaints or expressions of dissatisfaction are not covered.

Looking ahead to 2030, the target year for the SDGs, the Sumitomo Forestry Group has formulated its long-term vision, "Mission TREEING 2030." In this long-term vision, nine material issues have been identified from the perspectives of "Value for the Global Environment," "Value for People and Society," and "Value for the Market Economy." In the medium-term management plan "Mission TREEING 2030 Phase 2" (2025–2027), which is now in its second year, "further integration of business and ESG" is set as one of the basic policies. The company will continue to meet the expectations of society, including the SDGs, and lead this toward the enhancement of corporate value.