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Enhancing Human Rights Initiatives through JaCER Membership

Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. has recently been accepted as a full member of the Japan Center for Business and Human Rights Dialogue (JaCER). Starting April 1, 2026, the company will utilize JaCER's Dialogue Relief Platform to accept complaints and reports regarding business and human rights issues. This initiative aims to reinforce human rights respect across all stakeholders, not just among employees but also throughout the supply chain.

What is JaCER?

JaCER operates in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism through its Dialogue Relief Platform. This platform seeks to support and promote the resolution of grievances for member companies by mediating disputes from a professional standpoint. You can find more information on JaCER at its official website.

Overview of the Dialogue Relief Platform

Target Cases

The Dialogue Relief Platform addresses complaints related to business and human rights issues, including violations or suspected violations of international human rights conventions and national guidelines.

Target Regions

It is applicable to any geographical locations, both domestically and internationally.

Eligible Users

The platform is open to not only the employees of Sumitomo Forestry but also to workers of its business partners on the value chain and members of local communities who are adversely affected by human rights issues or have the potential to be. This includes all stakeholders, their representatives, and those directly impacted.

Reporting Process

Reports can be submitted through the JaCER Reporting Form.

Start Date

Utilization of the platform will officially begin on April 1, 2026.

According to international guidelines such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, companies must establish a mechanism that allows all stakeholders, including partners and local residents, to report concerns that may arise. This grievance mechanism is designed to facilitate early detection of human rights violations and enable swift responses, thereby minimizing the negative impacts on human rights caused by business activities. By building a transparent dialogue relief system, companies can enhance their social credibility.

Sumitomo Forestry Group's Grievance Mechanism Initiatives

Previously, Sumitomo Forestry has established various channels, including compliance counters, harassment consultation services, and global internal reporting hotlines to create an environment conducive to receiving complaints and consultations from employees. By utilizing the Dialogue Relief Platform, they can accommodate a wider range of stakeholders, including business partners. Additionally, they will institutionalize a dialogue and resolution process through a third-party mechanism to ensure greater fairness and transparency.
You can read more about Sumitomo Forestry's commitment to respecting human rights on its website.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

With an eye on the 2030 targets of the SDGs, Sumitomo Forestry Group has outlined its long-term vision, "Mission TREEING 2030." This vision identifies nine significant challenges based on three perspectives—value to the global environment, value to people and society, and value to market economy. In its medium-term management plan, "Mission TREEING 2030 Phase 2" (2025–2027), the integration of business and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is highlighted as one of the core policies. The group is committed to meeting societal expectations related to the SDGs and enhancing corporate value accordingly.

As a forward-thinking corporation, Sumitomo Forestry is not only responding to the pressing issues of human rights within its operations but is also taking steps to ensure that these efforts contribute to broader societal values and sustainable development.