P.49 Human Capital

49 02. Foundations for Accelerating Transformation

Human Capital

D-Grade: Digital skills certification system to support talent development for DAIS

Under our Digital & AI Strategy (DAIS; see p.30 for details), we aim to leverage digital technologies and AI across all of our Groupʼs business operations to build new value creation models and lead the social and industrial transformation. Driving this strategy are our people, who bring knowledge and experience from diverse business operations. Enhancing the digital skills of each employee and deploying digital technologies and AI in the workplace will be the driving force that accelerates our transformation.

Based on this approach, we introduced D-Grade* in April 2026 as our unique digital skills certification system to enhance and visualize the employeesʼ digital skills. D-Grade certification covers not only “knowledge” acquired through qualifications and training but also “experience” gained through practical application, such as defining requirements and implementing solutions. The system is designed to help employees progress step by step from acquiring knowledge to gaining practical experience in business operations, thereby supporting continuous growth.

While all employees are expected to acquire a certain level of digital skills, the system enables them to pursue higher levels based on their individual WILL and deepen their expertise in the digital domain. This allows employees to broaden their career potential by advancing their work, engaging in business development, and managing digital-related projects. On the organizational level, we will use our internal system to identify employees who have achieved higher-level certifications, enabling us to optimally allocate talent to support the execution of our strategy. We are also preparing for the global rollout of initiatives aimed at further enhancing digital skills.

* D-Grade: A six-level system consisting of four levels that certify knowledge and experience and two levels that certify advanced experience. Grades are based on training completed, qualifications obtained, and practical experience in implementing digital solutions.

• D1
• D2
• Advanced experience
• D3
• D4
• Experience: Practical experience in defining business requirements, implementing solutions, etc.
• D5
• D6
• Knowledge: Qualifications obtained and internal training completed
• D-Grade
• Leading the social and industrial transformation through DAIS
• Work with digital and AI partners (such as SCSK) on business planning, requirements definition, and implementation to create new value creation models
• Require all officers and employees to attain a specified grade through knowledge acquisition and practical implementation experience
• D-Grade certifies a broad range of digital skills tailored to diverse business frontlines

Creating environments that empower our diverse talent

The Group believes that leveraging the strengths of talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences and combining those strengths leads to new value creation and innovation. Based on this belief, we are creating environments that enable diverse talent to fully realize their potential.

Inclusion & Connection Weeks

Since 2022, we have held annual company-wide awareness-raising events to help each officer and employee around the world recognize “inclusive actions they can take starting today” and reflect on their own attitudes and behavior. Our aim is to co-create an inclusive organizational culture rooted in “connections” by sharing the value of inclusion with each business group and our overseas regional organizations.

• Global Connect Chat (one-on-one sessions in participantsʼ native languages)
• Family Day (visits to the CEOʼs office)

Regional initiatives in the Americas

Americas Week is Sumitomo Corporation of Americasʼ annual employee engagement event, bringing together colleagues from across North, Central, and South America to strengthen connections, share insights, and celebrate our collective impact. Now in its ninth year, the hybrid program combines regional virtual sessions with local in-person activities, fostering a strong One Team mindset across geographies. This yearʼs highlights included the “Enrich & Nourish” volunteer campaign supporting local organizations in honor of World Food Day, a leadership panel featuring regional leaders discussing emerging business challenges, a professional development session open to all employees, and the always-popular “Americas Got Talent” competition showcasing the unique talents and creativity of teams across the region.

• Mexico City
• New York