PR93042

TOKYO, Nov. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

   Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) announces today that it has been

included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia

Pacific), for the eighth consecutive year, reflecting the company's continued

approach to address social and environmental issues across its value chain.

   The DJSI is a recognized worldwide ESG stock index[1] and a global

sustainability benchmark that tracks the stock performance of the world's

leading companies in terms of economic, environmental and social criteria, with

constituents selected on the basis of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability

Assessment (CSA).[2] The DJSI Asia Pacific is an index of companies in the

Asia-Pacific region that is reviewed once a year and its constituents are

selected from about 600 major companies in the region.

   Kazuhito Yamashita, Member of the Board and Senior Vice President, Chief

Sustainability Officer, Compliance and General Affairs, said: "We are delighted

that JT is once again included in the DJSI Asia Pacific this year. The CSA

framework is a comprehensive approach which incorporates the latest trends and

discussions across the spectrum of ESG. Participation in international and

credible ESG assessments allows us to objectively evaluate our own

sustainability measures and disclosure materials. We are committed to promoting

transparent and reliable disclosures of non-financial information. It is one of

the agendas we have been focusing on in recent years, and is an important

initiative in order to advance dialogue with our stakeholders."

   JT scored 79/100 in the 2021 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment,

achieving full score in the Materiality, Risk & Crisis Management,

Environmental Reporting, Operational Eco-Efficiency, Social Reporting, and

Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy criteria out of 24 total criteria (Score

data: Nov 12, 2021).

   The JT Group's sustainability strategy is formulated based on the 4S

model[3], and encompasses its materiality analyses. The foundations of its

sustainability strategy for the whole Group are its "three absolute

requirements for sustainability":

   - Respecting human

rights;[https://www.jt.com/sustainability/human_rights/index.html]

   - An improved

social[https://www.jt.com/sustainability/human_rights/index.html] and

environmental impact[https://www.jt.com/sustainability/environment/index.html];

and

   - Good governance and business

standards[https://www.jt.com/sustainability/governance_compliance/index.html].

   The JT Group supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) and their related targets in the context of the company's business and

operational environments.[4] In order to achieve sustainable growth, it is

essential for the Group to contribute to the sustainable development of society

through its business activities. The JT Group will continue to engage with its

stakeholders and make concerted efforts to ensure that both society and the

Group can grow together to secure a sustainable future.

   [1] ESG stock index reflects an organization's measures in terms of social,

environmental and governance performance in addition to its financial

performance.

   [2] CSA is an assessment conducted by S&P Global. Companies are categorized

by industry and sent questionnaires that focus on the most important and

relevant ESG factors in each industry to evaluate their ESG approaches in terms

of both transparency and performance.

   [3] Pursuing the 4S model is the company's management principle. The JT

Group strives to fulfill its responsibilities to its valued consumers,

shareholders, employees and the wider society, carefully considering the

respective interests of these four key stakeholder groups, and exceeding their

expectations wherever it can.

   [4] Please refer to

https://www.jt.com/sustainability/strategy/materiality_strategy_sdgs/index.html

for more details about the JT Group's commitment to SDGs and the specific ways

in which we can contribute to achieving some of the goals.

   Japan Tobacco Inc. is a leading international tobacco company with

operations in more than 130 countries. With approximately 58,000 employees, it

manufactures and sells some of the world's best-known brands including Winston,

Camel, MEVIUS and LD. The JT Group is committed to investing in Reduced-Risk

Products (RRP) and currently markets its heated tobacco products under its

Ploom brand and various e-cigarette products under its Logic brand. The Group

is also present in the pharmaceutical and processed food businesses. For more

information, visit https://www.jt.com/.

   Contacts:

   Dinesh Babu Thotakura, General Manager

   Jo Oshiana Ogawa, Associate Manager

   Media and Investor Relations Division

   Japan Tobacco Inc.

   Tokyo: +81-3-6636-2914

   E-mail: jt.media.relations@jt.com

   Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1687954/DJSI_JT.jpg

   Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1574133/Japan_Tobacco_Logo.jpg

   Source: Japan Tobacco Inc.