Sustainable Solutions (Social Initiatives)
SDGs Lease Mirai 2030® (donation type/evaluation type)
SDGs Lease Mirai 2030® is a leasing scheme that enables customers to contribute to the SDGs through leases. We were the first in the industry to develop two types of leasing schemes, the "donation type" and "evaluation type." In the donation type, with the approval of customers, we donate a portion of the lease fees to certified NPOs and other public interest organizations. Customers are asked to choose from five organizations that are working to resolve social issues, including the provision of clean water and toilets, support for education and poverty, support for children with incurable diseases and disabilities, assistance dog training, and forest conservation. In June 2023, as a new initiative, we launched a scheme that allows students of an educational program related to donation funding to select donation recipients. The evaluation type is applicable to renewable energy and energy-saving equipment and comes with documents that provide evaluations in areas such as the environmental effect from installing the equipment. As of the end of FY2023, we have signed lease contracts (across donation and evaluation types) with a cumulative total of 1,474 companies.
Asset-based lending (ABL) secured with unblended whiskey cask inventory
The quality of Japanese whiskey has gained high international in recent years, but supply shortages persist, leading to an increase in new entrants into the whiskey production business. One such player, Tsuzaki Corporation, which operates the Kuju Distillery, established the first malt whiskey distillery in Oita Prefecture in February 2021. The distillery, which adheres to traditional Scottish methods for distilling whiskey, has garnered attention both in Japan and overseas. With a vision of "embracing the challenge of building a regional revitalization model centered on whiskey distilleries," the distillery practices local production for local consumption principles by using locally sourced barley. The by-products of the manufacturing process, such as distillation residues and malt mash, are repurposed as animal feed. Given that the whiskey business requires the aging of unblended malt whiskey, SMFL recognized the long time required to recover invested funds and decided to commercialize an ABL business based on the value of unblended malt whiskey in the aging process as collateral. Through ABL, SMFL supports the long-term aging process of unblended whiskey and backs Tsuzaki Corporation's aspiration to revitalize the region, centered on the distillery.
Providing helicopter leases to help solve community issues
The helicopters provided by the SMFL Group through leasing agreements play a crucial role in addressing various challenges faced by regions and local communities, such as emergency medical transport from accident sites, inter-hospital transfers, and search and rescue operations in coastal and mountainous areas. LCI Investments Limited, a helicopter leasing company jointly owned by SMFL and Libra Group, has created a social loan framework to raise funds for projects aimed at solving social issues. In February 2024, LCI Investments signed a purchase agreement for the latest generation of medium-size and semi-large helicopters manufactured by Leonardo S.p.A. of Italy. These helicopters are designed to emit less CO2 than other similar-sized aircraft and alternative transport methods, thereby contributing to reduced CO2 emissions over the operational lifecycle of the helicopters. Through the provision of helicopter leases, SMFL contributes to solutions for community challenges, fosters development, and supports the realization of a sustainable society.
The February 2024 purchase agreement covers three models: the AW169, AW139, and AW189. In addition to their excellent performance and functionality, these models satisfy the latest safety standards and plans call for them to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the future.