Responsible advertising and public
relations activities
In our communication activities, such as advertising and public relations, we emphasize the accuracy of information regarding our management policies, business content, technologies, products, and services. We also pay close attention to ethical considerations, including human rights, the environment, confidential information, intellectual property rights, and personal information. Additionally, we strive to broadly reflect societal feedback and incorporate it into our business activities.
Some consumers may find our telecommunications services to be highly specialized and the pricing structures complex. Therefore, we comply with applicable laws, including the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, and adhere to the “Voluntary Standards and Guidelines Concerning Telecommunications Service Advertising Displays” established by the Telecommunications Service Promotion Council, an industry organization. We strive to ensure proper advertising representations.
Additionally, we adhere to the principle of not using expressions in advertising displays that may mislead general consumers. When regular explanations are not sufficient for a full understanding due to the consumer's usage situation, familiarity with the service, or age, we strive to provide clearer explanations and displays. Furthermore, we take special care in our advertising displays to promote the appropriate use of telecommunications services by minors.
Organization
In conducting advertising and public relations, we establish dedicated departments according to each field. We promote these activities based on our advertising and promotional policies, ensuring that they are ethical, accurate, and neutral by having them thoroughly reviewed from various perspectives.
The responsible department collaborates with the legal department to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, consumer protection, and content review from the customer's perspective. Additionally, we consult with external experts and specialized agencies, such as lawyers, as necessary. This process ensures that the content of our advertisements is accurate and appropriate.
For major advertising and public relations, we provide individual briefings to senior management and review the content of advertisements in meetings attended by senior management. In this way, we ensure managerial accountability for the handling of information and the quality of the content.
| Advertising and public relations | The responsible department |
|---|---|
| Corporate Advertising | Brand Promotion Office |
| Consumer Advertising and Promotion | Communication Division, Consumer Business Promotion Unit |
| Business-to-Business Advertising and Promotion | Enterprise Marketing Division, Enterprise Unit |
For feedback on already conducted advertising and public relations, our Customer Support (Contact Us) is available. Additionally, we continuously monitor these activities by subjecting them to regular advertising check schemes established by the industry association (Telecom Services Promotion Conference) to ensure there are no legal, guideline, or ethical issues.
We have established a robust verification process and issue detection mechanism. In the event that any problems with our advertising and promotional activities are identified by customers, regulatory authorities, or consumer organizations, we promptly make the necessary changes to address these issues.
Actual performance
During fiscal 2023 there were no cases of unjustifiable and misleading representation as stipulated in the Act Against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Presentations resulting in administrative disposition within SoftBank's advertising and public relations activities.
In order to continue responsible advertising and public relations activities, it is important to improve ethical awareness with respect to advertising displays within the company. At SoftBank, we conduct periodic group training and e-learning regarding advertising display ethics to promote an understanding of the relevant laws, advertising display rules defined by the industry, and internal rules, etc.
Initiatives for sound advertising activities
In addition, in order to upgrade our level of responsible advertising activities, we participate in the “Japan Advertisers Association (JAA)” which aims for the healthy development of advertising and public relations activities and feed back the knowledge obtained through discussions with participating companies and leading experts into our advertising and public relations activities.