It was really uplifting to see such dedication It was really uplifting to see such dedication 
and sense of responsibility as an employee of and sense of responsibility as an employee of 
a financial institution entrusted with essential a financial institution entrusted with essential 
social infrastructure. I talk about “the strengthsocial infrastructure. I talk about “the strength 
of our front-line staff,” but I was able to fully of our front-line staff,” but I was able to fully 
appreciate just how extraordinarily strong appreciate just how extraordinarily strong 
SMFG and SMBC are thanks toSMFG and SMBC are thanks to this  this display display 
of front-line commitment.of front-line commitment.
Moving forward on the reconstruction ofMoving forward on the reconstruction of 
the Tohoku region, I believe we can also the Tohoku region, I believe we can also 
contribute to the rebuilding of infrastructure contribute to the rebuilding of infrastructure 
through project finance and other t h roug h proje c t f i n a nce a nd ot her 
fundamental businesses of financial f undamental businesses of financial 
institutions in which we excel.institutions in which we excel.
We are now actively engaged in promoting We are now actively engaged in promoting 
business in the Tohoku region, including business in the Tohoku region, including 
business matching with parties outsidebusiness matching with parties outside 
the region. In addition, we have a range of the region. In addition, we have a range of 
support activities in partnership with the Miyagisupport activities in partnership with the Miyagi 
prefectural government and The 77 Bank, prefectural government and The 77 Bank, 
Ltd., which is based in Miyagi.Ltd., which is based in Miyagi.
Miyata : In the same way, other SMFG : In the same way, other SMFG 
Group companies have been sending outGroup companies have been sending out 
volunteers, and providing donations not only volunteers, and providing donations not only 
as a company, but also through individual as a company, but also through individual 
employees. SMBC was at the heart of all these employees. SMBC was at the heart of all these 
activities, and this was a good opportunityactivities, and this was a good opportunity 
for us to appreciate anew how our business for us to appreciate anew how our business 
contributes to the public good.contributes to the public good.
The SMFG Group has 62,000 employees, The SMFG Group has 62,000 employees, 
“stepping up to the plate and working hard “stepping up to the plate and working hard 
to give something back to society.” I think it to give something back to society.” I think it 
is important to develop ways of making this is important to develop ways of making this 
a shared aspiration of all the employees of a shared aspiration of all the employees of 
the Group.the Group.
Commitment from the Top
What can we do now to spur 
the reconstruction and revitalization 
of Japan, and help 
resolve global issues?
Our measures to support 
reconstruction 
after the disastrous 
earthquake and tsunami
Uplifting 
the nation’s spirits
Koichi Miyata
Takeshi Kunibe
Tadao Ando
Architect. Professor Emeritus at the University of 
Tokyo, Representative and Vice-chairman of the 
Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction 
Design Council. Awarded the Order of Cultural 
Merit in 2010.
President
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
President and CEO
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
A Conversation with Tadao Ando, Takeshi Kunibe and Koichi Miyata 
Uplifting the nation’s spiritsUplifting the nation’s spirits
Japan is now facing a wide variety of problems, ranging from the reconstruction of the Tohoku region (the northeastern region of Japan) Japan is now facing a wide variety of problems, ranging from the reconstruction of the Tohoku region (the northeastern region of Japan)