Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Mitsubishi HC Capital”) continuously engages in social contribution activities involving its employees that help to address various social challenges, including local ones. What they have gained from these efforts is —

In its social contribution activity policy, Mitsubishi HC Capital has designated five priority areas: the environment, human cultivation, welfare and health, safety and security, and regional contribution. The company’s social contribution activities are aimed at addressing social issues related to these priority areas. Ayako Haga of the Public Relations Group, Corporate Communications Department, explains what they prioritize in their activities as follows:
“On the premise that activities are aligned with the company’s direction, we place emphasis on them involving employees as well as having continuity.”

In addition to social contribution activities led individually by the company’s domestic offices, they formally launched a company-wide program around 2018 following discussions with management on what types of activities there should be that are “unique to the company.”
Currently, the company has organized activities under five to six themes annually, including: internal sales event of fairtrade products; a silvicultural practice in Hachioji City in Tokyo named “The Forest of Mitsubishi HC Capital Group,” in which trees are replaced with other varieties such as low-pollen cedar; and sponsoring “Artbility,” a program that supports artists with disabilities. Furthermore, to ensure that employees understand social issues and the significance of the activities before participating, the company holds an “LTA (Learn, Think, Action)” project prior to each activity. These seminars feature lectures by external instructors.

Among all activities, “FIT For Charity Run” attracts a significant number of participants. The event is organized by financial businesses around December of every year. All admission fees and sponsorship fees collected at the event are donated to charity organizations. Mitsubishi HC Capital is one of the sponsors, and many of its employees take part in the event every year. In 2025, the event took place in the surrounding area of Meiji Jingu Gaien, with more than 4,500 people participating overall. Of these, 168 were executives and employees representing Mitsubishi HC Capital Group and their family members.

Yuriho Iguchi of the Public Relations Group describes ways to make it easy for employees to participate:
“We want many employees to actively come on board, so we eliminate obstacles by offering incentives such as exempting participants from bearing expenses. We also design diverse social contribution activities so employees can choose programs that are consistent with their work conditions, awareness of issues and family circumstances. Our activities range from in-house, easy-to-join initiatives to overnight programs, offering a variety of options.”

Among the company's social contribution activities, “Volunteer Snow Removal,” launched in FY 2018, stands as a signature initiative. To date, volunteers have shoveled snow at private residences in Obanazawa City, Oishida Town and Tozawa Village in Yamagata Prefecture, many of which are the homes of senior citizens living alone. As of the end of FY2024, snow was cleared at a total of 44 houses, with a cumulative total of 166 executives and employees participating.

These municipalities are designated as “Special Heavy Snow Areas” under the Act on Special Measures for Heavy Snowfall Areas. However, in recent years, accelerated population decline and an aging population has led to a severe shortage of people who can shovel snow, creating harsh conditions in heavy snowfall areas during winter. The company began operations in Obanazawa City in FY2018. Its objectives are to play a part in establishing a sustainable snow removal system in areas with many elderly households in order to foster a deeper understanding of social issues through hands-on experience, and to cultivate a mindset of social contribution among employees through interaction with local residents.

The program has expanded both in frequency and area since FY2024. In addition to Obanazawa City, employees worked in neighboring Oishida Town and Tozawa Village. In FY2025 Asahi Town and Iide Town joined the list of prospective work sites. Moreover, new activities such as joint snow shoveling with local middle schoolers and social events were planned. Although the voluntary snow shoveling in Yamagata Prefecture was cancelled, it was instead carried out in Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture, which was hit by record snowfall. Marina Hirabayashi of the Public Relations Group states:

“Initially, we were not well aware why snow was causing so many problems in those areas and how much work we should anticipate. So, we began by once again examining the situation and challenges in these heavy snowfall areas. We have been continuing our activities based on the knowledge acquired from these endeavors. Moving forward, we want to expand our areas of work even further.

These social contribution activities have raised employees’ awareness. Many participants found their activities meaningful and learned something from them. Feedback from the participants includes: “Going to a site and having hands-on experience helped me to understand local issues well,” “Now I have a clear idea of the state of a region with a declining birthrate and aging population. I want to help through a business project,” and “A sense of fulfillment from snow shoveling and heartwarming interactions with local residents made me want to participate again next year.” Those who took part in the program are able to relate to local challenges. In parallel, the program has enhanced staff exchange as well.

Mitsubishi HC Capital’s efforts have garnered high external acclaim. The company received the Technology Award from the Japan Society of Snow Engineering for its voluntary snow shoveling activities over the years, carried out as part of its social contribution activities, contributing to the advancement and development of snow engineering. Moreover, the Tokyo Voluntary Action Center honored the company with the “Community Contribution Incentive Award” at the 9th “Corporate Volunteering Awards.”

Mitsubishi HC Capital plans to continue offering its employees opportunities to participate in social contribution activities to raise awareness and promote behavior change in their daily work and life. At the same time, it plans to address social challenges and contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future. Haga sends the following message:
“We are considering starting a year-long regional contribution program. However, we need to think about what kind of approach is feasible given that some employees are not yet familiar with social contribution activities. We will also seek to identify social contribution activities that only we can do. It is our wish to continue crafting social contribution activities that are unique to us. We would love to hear from businesses that are interested in our social contribution activities, including the voluntary snow removal program.