Miyata : : When I think about what the When I think about what the 
SMFG Group can do, through its core SMFG Group can do, through its core 
financial operations, to help a society that financial operations, to help a society that 
is living longer with a falling birthrate,is living longer with a falling birthrate, 
I think we can help people plan for the I think we can help people plan for the 
future, help them put a certain amount future, help them put a certain amount 
aside for later. If this kind of service works aside for later. If this kind of service works 
well in Japan, I think we might be able to well in Japan, I think we might be able to 
help China and Thailand too, where the help China and Thailand too, where the 
same problem — a shrinking, aging same problem —  a shrink ing, aging 
population — ispopulation —  is brewing. brewing.
— What are the key issues with regard to —  What are the key issues with regard to 
environment protection, and living in environment protection, and living in 
harmony with nature? —harmony with nature? —
Ando : Environmental issues are also : Environmental issues are also 
important. This is a global issue. People important. This is a global issue. People 
living around the world should link hands living around the world should link hands 
and find new ways of safeguarding the and find new ways of safeguarding the 
environment. We need to secure stable environment. We need to secure stable 
supplies of energy while protecting the supplies of energy while protecting the 
environment. With resources, energy and environment. With resources, energy and 
food supplies dwindling around the world, food supplies dwindling around the world, 
Japan could fill quite a lot of the gaps Japan could fill quite a lot of the gaps 
through its world-class energy-saving through its world-class energy-saving 
technologies, from air-conditioning to technologies, from air-conditioning to 
refrigeration. I think people are going to refrigeration. I think people are going to 
be looking to Japan for such technologies.be looking to Japan for such technologies.
Kunibe : I believe that energy is the most : I believe that energy is the most 
important thing governing a countryimportant thing governing a country’s s 
competitiveness and industrial strength. competitiveness and industrial strength. 
Certainly, the timCertainly, the timeframe is an issue. We frame is an issue. We 
must not engage in short-termism, nor be must not engage in short-termism, nor be 
self-serving, but should devise energy self-serving, but should devise energy 
strategies for the future needs of society strategies for the future needs of society 
as a whole.as a whole.
Ando : I agree. We need industry, :  I  a g r e e .  We  n e e d  i n d u s t r y,  
government and academia to really talk government and academia to really talk 
to each other and take this seriously. If to each other and take this seriously. If 
theythey just butt heads, that won just butt heads, that won’t get us t get us 
anywhere.anywhere.
Kunibe : I see the environmental business : I see the environmental business 
as a linchpin of our CSR program, which weas a linchpin of our CSR program, which we 
can promote through our core businesses.can promote through our core businesses. 
For example, SMBC has created a Fo r  e x a m p l e ,  S M B C  h a s  c r e a t e d  a  
“Growing Industrial Cluster Project “Grow ing Industr ia l Cluster Project 
Team” to organize projects in the fields Team” to organize projects in the fields 
of water, resources, the environment andof water, resources, the environment and 
new energy sources, involving entities new energy sources, involving entities 
from different fields, not just working from different fields, not just working 
within one particular sector. We regard within one particular sector. We regard 
this process of engagement as forming a this process of engagement as forming a