Sony : Initiatives for Social Justice and Anti-Racism

Sony Group's Initiatives for Social Justice
and Anti-Racism

April 15, 2021

One of Sony Group's core principles is that all human beings should be treated with dignity and respect. At Sony Group, we believe in building a culture that makes business and employee diversity a priority, and diversity is cherished as one of our core values.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed a global rise in the movement to combat racism and promote social justice after the tragic incidents of police violence against African Americans in the United States.

At Sony Group, top management from Group businesses sent messages of support and encouragement to Sony Group employees and the larger community, and held townhall meetings and other events to foster employee dialogue about the issues of human rights and social justice.
In June 2020, we established the $100 million US dollar 'Global Social Justice Fund' led by the Sony Music Group in the United States, and we asserted our commitment to supporting social justice and the protection of human rights in the long term.

Recently, in response to the terrifying rise in hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community across the United States, Sony Group's affiliates in the country have made financial contributions to two organizations that are working to address the recent hate crimes: Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC*1 and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund*2.These donations, made through the 'Global Social Justice Fund,' will be used to advance the civil and human rights of all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

'Racial injustice is a global issue that affects us all,' said Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation. 'I join together with the leaders of Sony Group's businesses in the U.S. to denounce the appalling violence against the Asian American community. As a company that cherishes diversity as one of our core values, we are committed to the human rights of all people. Sony Group places great importance on treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religious beliefs or physical ability. I stand shoulder to shoulder with our group leaders to condemn this ongoing violence and discrimination.'

Beyond these contributions, the following companies have demonstrated their support to organizations doing the groundwork to keep the community safe.

Sony Music Group supported Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, which has a vision to increase civic engagement among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, during the Sony Music Group Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote National Voter Education Campaign, and will continue to support this community in its ongoing voter education efforts.
*For more details, click here.

Sony Pictures Entertainment made a separate financial commitment to Asian Americans Advancing Justice and added the organization as an official match partner to Sony Pictures Action, the studio's racial equity and inclusion initiative program.

Sony Interactive Entertainment made a donation to Stop AAPI Hate, a California based organization created in partnership with San Francisco State University. They are also planning to share their resources for the Asian American Pacific Islander community and all allies to learn how to report incidents and stay safe during these troubled times.
*For more details, click here.

Sony Electronics became a corporate sponsor of the National Association of Asian American Professionals, a non-profit organization that cultivates and empowers Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders through leadership development, professional networking, and community service.

• *1 Asian Americans Advancing Justice is the largest national Asian American policy advocacy organization located in Washington D.C. with the mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.
• *2 The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund is a New York-based national organization founded in 1974, protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, they work with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

Related Information

• Official Site | Global Social Justice Fund
• Sony Music Group announces $100 million Global Social Justice Fund (2020/6/5)
• International African American Museum to Feature Sony Technology to Inspire and Facilitate Education (2021/1/12)
• National Museum of African American Music Announces New Partnership with Sony Music Group (2021/1/14)
• Sony Interactive Entertainment continues to fight Anti-Asian Discrimination and provides Resources for Allyship (2021/3/18)
• Sony Corporation of America Announces Two Donations To Combat Asian-American Hate (2021/3/29)
• Seven New Beneficiaries Announced for Sony Music UK's Social Justice Fund (2021/04/13)

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