text: In addition to the many ideas sent in under 
  In addition to the many ideas sent in under 
  
  the “SPN” campaign with regard to supporting 
  the “SPN” campaign with regard to supporting 
  
  reconstruction in the disaster-hit areas, some 
  reconstruction in the disaster-hit areas, some 
  
  employees said they wanted to go to the 
  employees said they wanted to go to the 
  
  Tohoku region to work as volunteers. To 
  Tohoku region to work as volunteers. To 
  
  support those wishing to do “what can be 
  support those wishing to do “what can be 
  
  done now” as a first step, SMBC set up a 
  done now” as a first step, SMBC set up a 
  
  framework to enable employees to take 
  framework to enable employees to take 
  
  special leave for volunteer activities in the 
  special leave for volunteer activities in the 
  
  earthquake and tsunami area. This system 
  earthquake and tsunami area. This system 
  
  became operational in May 2011. 
  became operational in May 2011. 
  
  To date, volunteers have been recruited not 
  To date, volunteers have been recruited not 
  
  only from the bank but also from other SMFG 
  only from the bank but also from other SMFG 