Basic Approach
Sony's Purpose is to "fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology." Sony can only create sustainable social value based on its Purpose when the global environment is healthy and people can live in society with peace of mind. Through its social contribution initiatives, Sony recognizes various social issues and aims to create a positive impact by solving them while also enhancing its corporate value, such as by building trusting relationships with wider society, communities and other stakeholders, improving employee engagement and creating innovation. Under the slogan "For the Next Generation," Sony is engaged in wide-ranging social contribution initiatives around the world.
Areas of Focus
In countries and regions around the world, Sony leverages its three resources - its products and content, technology and the strength of its employees - to carry out a wide range of social contribution activities in collaboration with partners in three priority areas: education for next generations, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, and initiatives to tackle global issues. Inheriting the vision of its founders, Sony leverages its strengths to roll out initiatives in support of education in the STEAM* fields to foster the next generation. Sony also provides humanitarian aid in response to large-scale disasters and emergency crises around the world, taking into account the degree of urgency and its relationship with the region. In addition, Sony is engaged in various partnerships to address global social issues, such as social justice and human rights, difficulties faced by refugees, and the environment.
- * STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
For the Next Generation
With "For the Next Generation" at heart, Sony will continue to make a positive social impact with the aim of addressing diverse social issues.
Resources
Partners
- NGOs, NPOs
- and other organizations
- International organizations
- local government
Areas of focus
- Support to foster the next generation
(education) - Disaster relief and humanitarian aid
- Initiatives for global issues
The Vision of Sony's Founder
In Sony's Founding Prospectus, Masaru Ibuka, one of the founders, set "the promotion of education in science among the general public" as a primary goal. He was convinced that enhancing scientific literacy would be critical for the recovery of postwar Japan and that science education for children was the key. In 1959, 13 years after Sony's establishment, he set up the Sony Fund for the Promotion of Science Education to support elementary and junior high schools in the pursuit of science education excellence. His vision lives on in Sony's social contribution initiatives.
History of Sony's social contribution activities
1946
Establishment of Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation
Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation was founded to research and manufacture telecommunications and measuring equipment.
1959
Start of the Sony Fund for the Promotion of Science Education
Based on the idea that scientific education was necessary to rebuild post-war Japan, Sony started the Sony Fund for the Promotion of Science Education, which supports science education in elementary and junior high schools.
1972
Establishment of the Sony Foundation for Education (the current Sony Education Foundation)
The Sony Foundation for Education was established to continue to develop the award program under the Sony Fund for the Promotion of Science Education.
1984
Establishment of the Sony Music Foundation
The Sony Music Foundation was established to contribute to the development of culture, including making classical music more widely available,
promoting international exchanges, and developing human resources.
1990
Start of the Sony Student Project Abroad (an invitational program for high school students in the U.S.)
Through this exchange program, students from the U.S. were able to experience and learn about Sony's technology, Japanese culture and more.
This program continued until 2000.
1991
Establishment of the Sony Canada Charitable Foundation
A non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting the betterment of children, the environment and the community in Canada.
1992
Introduction of leave for volunteering purposes
1994
Opening of Sony Wonder Technology Lab (New York)
The hands-on technology lab, which focused on science and entertainment, was opened in Sony's U.S. headquarters in New York. The Lab brings technology and creativity together to make learning experiential, entertaining and fun. (closed in 2016)
1995
Start of activities with the international environmental NGO Conservation International (CI)
Sony conducts activities to communicate the importance of biodiversity through photo and video image.
Video-filmed of wild animal and plant life is captured using devices such as cameras that incorporate Sony's cutting-edge technology.
1998
Start of the Sony Creative Science Award (Singapore)
The toy making contest was launched for children to promote creativity and make learning science fun.
Establishment of the Sony Foundation Australia
Backed by the Sony companies in Australia, the Foundation supports young Australians in need and established a program for children with disability and another program for youth cancer patients.
2000
Opening of Sony ExploraScience (Beijing)
The hands-on science museum focused on light and sound was opened in China to foster children's curiosity in science. Sony also conducted science educational programs in rural areas.
- * Renamed and renovated as “Sony ExploraDream” in 2025.
2002
Opening of Sony ExploraScience (Tokyo)
Located in Daiba, Tokyo, this hands-on science museum offered visitors the opportunity to experience and learn about light, sound, and entertainment.
The museum offered special exhibitions and workshops for children.
(A total 2.3 million people visited the museum until it is closed in 2019)
2003
Launch of a department responsible for CSR
2004
Start of Sony Movie Works
This movie making program was offered to middle and high school students. Students who were chosen worked with Sony employees to make their own movie.
This program continued until 2007.
2006
Start of Sony Student Project Abroad (China)
(an invitational program for high school students in China)
This was an exchange program to learn about Sony's technology, Japanese culture, environmental problems, and other information to Chinese students invited to Japan. (ended in 2012)
Start of EYE SEE, co-operated with UNICEF to support children's digital photography
Through this program, which was conducted in partnership with UNICEF, children learned the importance of recording and communicating their daily lives using cameras and other devices.
This program continued until 2016.
Start of UNHCR Refugee Film Festival sponsorship
Sony launched activities to raise awareness in refugees by sponsoring the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival and screening refugee movies for employees.
2008
Start of South Africa mobile library project
The Mobile Library Project operated by NPO SAPESI, Sony offers support by collecting and donating English books for children.
2009
Start of the science education activities Sony Science Program
The program offered children an opportunity to gain skills for making a world better place by applying the power of science. The program was primarily conducted in Asia, including Japan.
- * The program was updated and transformed into CurioStep with Sony and continued until 2026.
2010
Implementation of Dream Goal 2010, a social contribution program through football
In conjunction with the FIFA World Cup, Sony held various events and conducted support activities, which included public viewings and donations of original balls in Africa.
2011
Start of a disaster and humanitarian relief partnership with NGO Save the Children Japan
The RESTART JAPAN Fund was established to support reconstruction after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Sony conducts various support programs for children.
2012
Start of Project for Forest Conservation in Sumatra
Sony started to provide support for precious forest preservation activities conducted by the international NGO WWF in order to protect forests and rare wildlife on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and the initiative transitioned to a corporate partnership in 2021.
2014
Implementation of Dream Goal 2014, social contribution program through football
In partnership with the NPO Streetfootballworld, Sony donated pop-up stadiums to countries throughout Central and South America, including Brazil, so that children can enjoy football safely.
2016
Establishment of Emergency Fund for Children
In partnership with NGO Save the Children Japan, Sony co-established the fund which provides immediate support upon the sudden onset of natural disaster or humanitarian crises as well as medium to long-term recovery support to children.
2018
Start of the "Kando Experience Program" to address children's educational inequality
This program addressed the social issue of children's educational inequality in Japan.
Sony provided diverse KANDO experiences to children who had few opportunities to foster creativity and curiosity, and it continued until 2026.
2020
Establishment of the Sony Global Relief Fund for COVID-19
Sony established a 100 million US dollar fund to support those around the world affected by COVID-19 virus in mainly three areas "Medical" "Education" and the "Creative Community".
Launch of the education program CurioStep with Sony
Sony expanded its educational program to empower curiosity of children by providing opportunities to experience creativity and technology.
This program continued until 2026.
- * Renewal from Sony Science Program
Establishment of the Global Social Justice Fund
Sony established a 100 million US dollar fund to support social justice and protecting human rights.
2021
Partnership with Save the Children to promote development of resilient communities against disasters around the world
Providing support for the "Safe Schools program," an all-inclusive, all-hazards approach to keep children safe in and around schools.
WWF Japan and Sony Group Corporation Sign a Corporate Partnership Agreement
Joining Forces to Tackle Climate Change and Conserve Biodiversity through Forest Conservation
Sony Group Portal - WWF Japan and Sony Group Corporation Sign a Corporate Partnership Agreement
2023
Signed partnerships with UNICEF, UNHCR, and Save the Children through the Sony Global Relief Fund for COVID-19
Sony signed partnerships with UNICEF, UNHCR, and Save the Children to support efforts to address social issues that have become more serious or apparent and are still ongoing since the outbreak of COVID-19.
