ITOCHU Group Policy

The ITOCHU Group declares the spirit of “Sampo-yoshi” (Japanese for “good for all three sides”: good for the seller, good for the buyer, and good for society) to be our new corporate mission, based on the philosophy of our founder, Chubei Itoh I.
This spirit has been passed down from ITOCHU’s founding in 1858 to the present day, and we will continue to uphold it in the future.

“urite-yoshi” (“good for the seller”)
“kaite-yoshi” (“good for the buyer”)
“seken-yoshi” (“good for society”)

We seek not only to achieve profit but also to help address social issues, in line with the trust and expectations placed on us by our customers, shareholders, employees, and various other stakeholders. Through the business spirit of “Sampo-yoshi,” ITOCHU aims to have an ongoing and positive social impact and to contribute to a sustainable society for all.

*Historical Note: The concept of “Sampo-yoshi” traces to the merchants of Ohmi, or present-day Shiga Prefecture. They were permitted to do business in the regions they visited because they focused not only on “urite-yoshi” (“good for the seller”) and “kaite-yoshi” (“good for the buyer”), but also on contributing to the economy of these regions, or “seken-yoshi” (“good for society”), forming the roots of today’s sustainability. The phrase is said to originate from the personal motto of our founder, Chubei Itoh I: “Trade is a compassionate business. It is noble when it accords with the spirit of Buddha by profiting those who sell and those who buy and supplying the needs of society.”

I am One with Infinite Missions

The ITOCHU Group declares “I am One with Infinite Missions” as our new Guideline of Conduct.

These are words that realize our thoughts behind “Sampo-yoshi” and provide direction for ITOCHU Group employees in performing ideal business operations.

Each individual employee should consider his or her business conduct on his or her own initiative in order to deliver “what is required to the right person and in the right manner” and thus we will be able to fulfil our individual capabilities, a strength of ITOCHU. “I am One with Infinite Missions” is the phrase that represents this aspect of ITOCHU.

“I am One with Infinite Missions” is precisely the business philosophy of our founder, Chubei Itoh I, and the path to the materialization of ITOCHU Mission “Sampo-yoshi” (“Good for the seller, Good for the buyer, and Good for society”). As one of the representative trading houses in Japan, we will remain grounded in our merchant spirit, and complete our infinite missions aim for better business operations that are good for the seller, good for the buyer, and good for society as well as for a better future.