JT Supporting Youth Development

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 04/07/2009

Japan Tobacco Inc. said today that it would provide financial support for youth development activities and projects conducted by independent non-profit organizations (NPO) in Japan. Each year since 1999, JT has invited NPOs to apply for financial assistance and, this year, following deliberations by the company's NPO Support Promotion Committee, which comprises primarily outside experts, 43 organizations were selected out of the 176 that applied. A total of ￥53.9 million will be provided in support of the programs in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. The JT Group's 'Social Contribution Policy' centers on four main areas: Social Welfare, Culture and Art, Environmental Activities and Aid for Disaster-Stricken Areas. In a press note posted on its website this morning, JT said it believed that the development of human resources, particularly with respect to youth development programs, was vital for regeneration and revitalization of local communities. JT has conducted a number of programs, including community clean-up campaigns involving citizen participation and afforestation and forest conservation projects, but, since 2007, the company has been increasingly focused on environmental beautification and conservation initiatives involving young people. Looking ahead, JT says that it is committed to future engagements in a wide range of social contribution activities, including with NPOs, so as to promote the coexistence of business and society. Enditem