Supporting Regions and Non-profit Organizations
We want to realize a society where people can help and support each other, and to use ICT to connect people around the world with communities and organizations that need support, transcending the limitations of distance and time. SoftBank provides ongoing support always focused on answering needs.
Providing support and collaboration
in solving community issues
To help resolve local social issues in close cooperation with local communities, we have established bases for CSR activities in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa, where we deploy about 60 senior CSR employees with a wealth of experience and achievements. As ICT professionals, they play a central role in resolving local social issues and supporting regional revitalization. This initiative also promotes workstyle reforms as a new model for utilizing senior human resources.
Solving social issues and providing new value in mobility
MONET Technologies Inc. is a joint venture between SoftBank Corp. and Toyota Motor Corporation, with capital participation from other companies, that commenced operations on February 1, 2019. MONET's objective is to create new value and solve social issues related to transportation in collaboration with local governments and other companies.
In Japan, mobility as a service (MaaS) has drawn attention as a potential solution for a variety of social issues, such as traffic jams in urban areas, traffic accidents caused by older drivers, an increase in elderly people who have turned in their drivers' licenses and now have difficulty getting around, areas without public transportation due to depopulation, and driver shortages. MONET is working toward the realization and spread of new mobility services that bring people, goods and services together. These include streamlined mobility services using on-demand vehicle-dispatch platforms, as well as mobile convenience stores, clinics and offices.
Launch of service for
enterprises enabling on-demand bus reservations through LINE
In July 2023, MONET launched a service for reserving on-demand buses through the official LINE accounts of municipalities and businesses. This service is provided as an option for enterprises to allow them to provide on-demand buses and other MaaS in a single package through LINE. It features a simple structure that allows users to make reservations using intuitive controls within the LINE app. It has been distilled to the minimum necessary functions for ease of use by seniors and other users who may feel uneasy about operating complex, multifunctional smartphone apps.
Using information and communications technology to
promote new working styles
We are supporting a reduced-time remote working initiative that utilizes information and communications technology such as PCs, smart phones, and tablets. Reduced-time remote working is an initiative used in cases where factors such as childcare and nursing care responsibilities or illness prevent an employee from attending work physically or working long hours but do not prevent them from carrying out their duties. It enables them to work for shorter periods of time on tasks that do not need to be performed at a specific location, such as their workplace.
We are using information and communications technology to realize working styles that are not limited by distance or time to provide employment opportunities to people who currently have the will to work but are being held back by physical or time-related restrictions.
A fundraising platform that
allows everyone to contribute to society
Adding a donation to their smartphone bill payments
As one of our social contributions through corporate activities, we offer the “Tsunagaru Bokin” program. Donations can be made with the payment of “SoftBank” smartphone usage fees. Also, donations can be made using SoftBank Points, credit cards, and Yahoo! Net Donations.
By providing a platform that allows more people to easily participate in a wide range of non-profit fundraising activities with their smartphones, which have become a familiar part of our daily lives, we will continue to support the activities of non-profit organizations and support the promotion of solving social issues.
Social impact
We conduct quantitative verification of the social impact of each activity and initiative in order to understand the outcomes and effects of our social contribution activities. Based on our own research, we have estimated that the incremental effect of new donations generated through the use of “Tsunagaru Bokin” amounts to approximately 170 million yen annually.
Donations to organizations just by using “SoftBank” mobile phones
Charity Mobile Donation is a new service whereby customers can make donations to NPOs by simply using their SoftBank mobile phones. When a SoftBank customer signs up for an upgrade or new phone, they can apply via a dedicated website to have a fixed amount of an additional ¥6,000 donated from SoftBank to an NPO of their choice. A further donation of 3%*1 of their monthly mobile phone service charges (total of the basic monthly usage charge, domestic voice call charges, and usage fees for added services) can also be made for up to maximum 24 months at no additional cost to the customer.
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When calculating donations, the following usage fees are not included: Overseas charges, fee adjustments, monthly installments for devices, monthly installment discounts, information services charges, set monthly charges, White BB plan, administrative charges for change of device model or upgrade, cancellation of a contract outside subscription renewal period, contract cancellation fees, phone charges for 104 directory assistance, content information charges, charges for S! Pay for All payment service, SoftBank Consolidated Billing, consumption tax, universal service charges, donations and support funding associated with Charity White or Charity Smile.
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Making a difference to society
with a simple 10 yen per month donation system
Charity Smile was launched nationwide by SoftBank Corp. to support children without a stable family situation. Customers can donate 10 yen per month, which SoftBank Corp. matches, so that each month a total of 20 yen is donated.
The affordable 10 yen can be added when monthly mobile phone charges are paid, and this can continue on a monthly basis without any inconvenience to the customer. When a large-scale disaster occurs, wherever the location, a portion of the funds are earmarked for donation to support the affected area.