The University of Tokyo (President: Teruo Fujii, hereinafter "UTokyo") and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (President and Group CEO: Toru Nakashima, hereinafter collectively referred to as "SMBC Group") have signed a partnership agreement (hereinafter "this Agreement"). The purpose of this Agreement is to establish mechanisms to valorize the diverse assets of UTokyo, return this value to society, as well as to lead and pioneer initiatives for "Japan's Regrowth" through these efforts.

1. Background

In recent years, various social issues such as environmental problems, human rights, poverty and inequality, etc. have emerged, expanded, and become more serious. By overcoming the boundaries between the humanities and sciences, we are increasingly expected to share and contribute universities' diverse expertise with society. Additionally, addressing these social issues has become a significant theme in corporate management. Increasingly, the creation of social value is becoming a prerequisite for corporate competitiveness.

Against this backdrop, UTokyo, under its basic policy "UTokyo Compass" published in 2021, is working to create value that contributes to the future of humanity and the planet through research, education, and social collaboration. Additionally, SMBC Group, which has placed Creation of Social Value as a pillar of its management policies in its current Medium-Term Management Plan "Plan for Fulfilled Growth," is actively addressing social issues by fostering the flow of funds in society towards solving these issues.

2. Initiatives Based on This Agreement

Under this Agreement, UTokyo and SMBC Group will collaborate on the following themes. This Agreement is not a traditional industry-academia collaboration in which private companies provide funding and universities contribute knowledge. Instead, it aims for both parties to commit to providing funds and human resources toward creating social value and to realize open knowledge together. SMBC Group plans to contribute over JPY 3 billion over three years, primarily focusing on the Forest GX Project (see 3. below), and UTokyo also plans to make proportionate contributions.

Key Initiatives:

Formulating and Practicing the New Green Transformation (GX) Strategy

Centered around the Center for Strategic Promotion of Green Transformation (est. April 2025)

Launch of the Forest GX Project to enhance forest value and promote utilization.

Establishing the Philanthropy Fund Brokering Scheme

Develop a system for channeling donations from high-net-worth individuals through UTokyo to social impact projects.

Discovering, Developing, and Supporting Startup Businesses

UTokyo and SMBC support university-originated startups and form a startup support ecosystem.

A Scientific Approach to Balancing Work, Study, and Sports

Partnering with UTokyo Sports Science Initiative to develop optimal training and visualize the multifaceted value of sports.

Supporting Student Activities and Fostering Talent for the Business World

SMBC supports regional collaboration programs and personnel development at UTokyo.

3. Launch of the Forest GX Project

As the first initiative under this Agreement, UTokyo and SMBC Group will launch the Forest GX Project to enhance the value of forests using The University of Tokyo Forests and other sites as demonstration fields.

Japan has 65% forest coverage; UTokyo owns 1/1000 of this land.

Goals:

Digital twins for forest CO₂ absorption and biodiversity monitoring using AI and remote sensing.

Transform biomass into materials for wooden skyscrapers, plastics, and bioenergy.

Promote sustainable biomass cities and certification systems for urban biomass use.

Footnotes and Related Programs Referenced:

Center for Strategic Promotion of GX

Philanthropy Advisory Services (launched Nov 2024)

Startup Ecosystem Press Releases (Nov 2024, Jan 2025)

W-League Participation

University Sports Support Program (May 2024)

Field Study Typed Policy Collaboration Program (FS)