Governance
Corporate Citizenship Activity Framework
NEC Group’s corporate citizenship activities are conducted under the following three main implementation frameworks:
- Social contribution programs planned and executed under the initiative of the NEC Corporate Communications Department and the department in charge of promoting corporate citizenship activities of the NEC Group;
- Activities for contributing to local communities participated in by NEC Group employees around the world; and
- Various grants from foundations
Thought Process
In our Purpose, The NEC Group has committed itself to creation of the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.
Guided by this concept, each member of The NEC Group, from corporate officers to employees, acts as a good corporate citizen by carrying out NEC Make-a-Difference Drive corporate citizenship activities aimed at resolving social issues over the medium to long term.
Through NEC Make-a-Difference Drive, we work with local communities, NPOs and NGOs, local governments and universities, among other entities, to promote “Life,” “Society,” and the “Environment,” the three layers of the NEC Group’s vision for an ideal society, laid out in the NEC 2030VISION. The NEC Group believes that local communities are responsible for, or otherwise play a leading role in, solving social issues, and that sustainable local communities enable business activities to be carried out in those areas. As members of communities, we want to proactively support them in achieving the necessary solutions.
This thinking is also connected to “coexistence with local communities” in the NEC Group Code of Conduct.
In addition, NEC has positioned the NEC Make-a-Difference Drive as one of the foundations of its efforts to promote diverse human resource development, which is one of the Company’s priority management themes from an ESG perspective—materiality. Through NEC Make-a-Difference Drive activities, corporate officers and employees engage in dialogue and co-creation with various stakeholders, such as local communities and the social sector. This provides them with opportunities to experience social issues that merit NEC’s attention as a Social Value Innovator.
The NEC Group believes that through these activities, employees can acquire a mindset for volunteerism and cocreation, enabling them as highly socially literate personnel to sensitively grasp the true nature of issues facing customers and society so that they can play a leading role in creating businesses inspired by social issues.
The social contribution programs and collaborating NPOs under the NEC Make-a-Difference Drive are selected based on the following policies and guidelines.
Furthermore, we have established an evaluation system for social contribution programs, and we regularly confirm their social impact and promote program improvements and revisions.
Basic Policy on Corporate Citizenship Activities
- Basic Policy of Social Contribution Program Creation
- Guidelines for Coordination with NPOs
- Social Contribution Program Assessment System
Metrics and Targets
FY2031 KPIs
Contribute to the creation of markets and trust in AI through corporate citizenship that is uniquely NEC to achieve a digital world that leaves no one behind in the era of AI.
FY2027 Goals
Aim to evolve our corporate citizenship activities so that they align with the direction of the NEC Group and contribute to business growth and the enhancement of corporate value. In fiscal year 2027, create deeper value for existing activities (contribute to business and strengthen communication of activities at our overseas sites) while pursuing future-oriented evolution (redefine our policy and review our portfolio).
FY2026 Goals and Results
1. FY2026 Goals
1.1. Expand Range of Corporate Citizenship
- Increase the number of employee participants (compared to the previous fiscal year)
1.2. Utilize Corporate Citizenship as a Launching Point for New Business Creation, Support Business Activities and Forge Relationships with Local Communities (Reach Comprehensive Cooperation Agreements, etc.)
2. FY2026 Results
2.1. Expand Range of Corporate Citizenship
- Number of employee participants — fiscal year 2025: 17,000 → fiscal year 2026: 21,000 (an increase of 4,000 from the previous fiscal year)
2.2. Utilize Corporate Citizenship as a Launching Point for New Business Creation, Support Business Activities and Forge Relationships with Local Communities (Reach Comprehensive Cooperation Agreements, etc.)
- Conducted a variety of activities for recovery and for solving local issues under the comprehensive cooperation agreement with Fukushima Prefecture
- Built and operated the Ishikawa Prefecture Relational Population Creation System
- Utilizing pro bono activities, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) on employment support for returnees to Ethiopia
Social Contribution Activity Expenses
In fiscal year 2026, total corporate citizenship activity expenses for the entire NEC Group were approximately 800 million yen. We promoted activities in a variety of fields, including “Academia, Research, and Education” and “Arts, Culture, and Sports.”
Social contribution activity expenses (Data Collection)
Measuring the Effectiveness of Our Corporate Citizenship Activities
Please see below for more details.
Output of corporate citizenship activity (Data Collection)
Initiatives for Corporate Citizenship Activities
The NEC Group conducts a variety of corporate citizenship activities. Please see below for more details on each of the initiatives.
Corporate Citizen Activities
1. Disaster and Recovery Support
1.1. Noto Peninsula Disaster and Recovery Support
The NEC Group implemented various initiatives to support disaster relief and recovery efforts on the Noto Peninsula.
In addition, in September 2025, NEC newly joined Probo Noto, a pro bono support platform for the recovery of the Noto Peninsula jointly operated by LY Corporation and the Noto Public-Private Partnership Recovery Center, strengthening and advancing its efforts for Noto’s recovery. Furthermore, we took on the construction and operation (from November 2025) of the Ishikawa Prefecture Relational Population Creation System, which supports the recovery of Noto, and also began linking it with our pro bono activities, which bring expertise in regional revitalization, recovery support, and fostering the next generation.
1.2. Fukushima Recovery Support
NEC has conducted a variety of initiatives in collaboration with Fukushima Prefecture based on the “Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement to Promote Digital Transformation (DX) and Local Products” entered into with Fukushima Prefecture in February 2024.
2. NEC Social Entrepreneurship School
In fiscal year 2003, we began the NEC Social Entrepreneurship School, a project for nurturing young social entrepreneurs that we launched in cooperation with the NPO ETIC. As of fiscal year 2026, 78 groups have graduated from the school. The project has been called a gateway for the success of social innovators because of the large number of celebrated young social innovators that it has produced.
In fiscal year 2026, under the theme that NEC sets out in its Purpose, namely “to create the social values of safety, security, fairness, and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential,” we supported four organizations: (1) tomoiku Inc., which provides childcare support using its own psychological analysis technology and AI; (2) Rooting Our Own Tomorrows, which works on wildlife conservation using the power of media; (3) Glocal Solutions from Classroom, which aims to correct regional disparities in educational opportunities; and (4) matsuli Inc., which builds community using its own social media platform. We are holding discussions aimed at creating businesses that solve social issues through collaboration between these organizations and NEC’s DX.
NEC Social Entrepreneurship School
3. NEC Pro Bono Initiative
In fiscal year 2011, NEC Group introduced the NEC Pro Bono Initiative, a program that helps NPOs and social entrepreneurs address their target issues with assistance from the professional skills of NEC employees. In doing so, NEC became the first Japanese company to start pro bono activities. In fiscal year 2026, 621 employees participated in joint activities with Kawasaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, educational institutions, and social entrepreneurs who have graduated from the NEC Social Entrepreneurship School as pro bono partners.
In its collaboration with Kawasaki City, a team of NEC employees from the NEC Pro Bono Club (a pro bono community made up of volunteer employees of the NEC Group) worked in collaboration with Kawasaki City and more to raise awareness and promote understanding of the SDGs and pro bono activities in Kawasaki City. They planned and ran a variety of initiatives, such as the Kawasaki SDGs Partner Festival and the Kawasaki Pro Bono Summit. In addition, based on issues identified through the pro bono work, we collaborated with the Kawasaki Council of Social Welfare to conduct a demonstration experiment of Machikurumi, a regional revitalization app aimed at solving local issues.
In collaboration with social entrepreneurs, a team of employees from the NEC Pro Bono Club has assisted BANSO-CO Inc., a venture company originating from the Institute of Science Tokyo, formed by a graduate of the NEC Social Entrepreneurship School that engages in online mental healthcare projects, in conducting sales, marketing and PR activities since fiscal year 2024. With this support, sales in the company’s B2B business have doubled most recently. In addition, the NEC Pro Bono Club has supported the business collaboration between the healthcare service NEC Body Care, which began in 2022, and BANSO-CO Inc., through pro bono activities.
In addition, utilizing NEC’s pro bono activities, we concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) on employment support for returnees to Ethiopia from abroad.
The activities are scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2027.
NEC Pro Bono Initiative
3.1. STEAM Education at a Community Kitchen for Children
In fiscal year 2025, the NEC Group partnered with Minato Kodomo Shokudo, a nonprofit organization providing a community kitchen for children based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, and, as part of Minato Kodomo Shokudo’s educational support initiatives, began STEAM education (such as programming classes) for elementary school students who use the community kitchen through pro bono activities. In fiscal year 2026, NEC provided education using the metaverse for 11 students in elementary school grades 4 to 6.
4. Girls Meet STEM
Since its launch in 2024, NEC has participated continuously in “Girls Meet STEM”, a hands-on STEM (science) program for junior and senior high school girls hosted by the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation.
Through interaction with women who work at NEC in ways that are true to who they are, the program gives junior and senior high school girls an opportunity to envision their future paths and careers in a positive light. It was held twice in fiscal year 2026, with 81 students and 10 NEC employees participating.
5. Promoting Employees’ Volunteer Activities
The NEC Group promotes volunteer activities by employees through its benefits and welfare system.
- Under the cafeteria-style benefits and welfare system, “Will be,” provided “support volunteer activity expenses” and “donate to volunteer groups and areas affected by disasters”
- Through the NEC Group’s intranet site and internal social media, a range of volunteering opportunities, including online, were introduced to promote active participation in volunteer activities by employees
- In December and January of each year, as an activity that is easy for employees to participate in, we promote collection activities for items—including Bellmark symbols from sponsored products, used books and spoiled postcards—that lead to donations and recycling in support of developing countries and disaster recovery
- Each year, a cumulative total of approximately 100 NEC Group employees take part as operational volunteers in different para-sports competitions, including the Tokyo Sports Tournament for the Disabled, which is organized by the Tokyo Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, of which NEC is a regular member.
Tokyo Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities
6. Initiatives in Local Communities Worldwide
Through its corporate citizenship activities, the NEC Group works on community support activities worldwide to help solve local issues.
6.1. Initiatives in Japan
6.1.1. e-Net Caravan
- NEC has implemented the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ e-Net Caravan, which offers awareness-raising activities and guidance for elementary school students (third and fourth grade) through to high school students, as well as for guardians and educational professionals, to teach them how to use the internet safely and securely (target: 150 sessions per year). This initiative is meant to address the rights of children set out in the Children’s Rights and Business Principles developed by Save the Children (NGO), the UN Global Compact, and UNICEF.
- Nationwide, 324 of our employees currently participate in this initiative as certified instructors.
6.2. Global Initiatives
6.2.1. Para-sports Initiatives
The NEC Group has continued its support for wheelchair tennis, in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation (ITF), for over 30 years. For many years, NEC has contributed to the promotion of wheelchair tennis through activities such as supporting tournaments, including the wheelchair tennis world championship, the NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters, as well as the donation of wheelchairs used in competitions through sports organizations.
Wheelchair Tennis Sponsorship
6.2.2. NEC Corporation of America’s Initiatives
We work with elementary schools and non-profit organizations in Texas to provide educational support for students and living assistance for the homeless.
- Supporting STEAM education in collaboration with FC Dallas Foundation
- Supporting the learning of the next generation in collaboration with NPO Catch-Up and Read
- Supporting the learning of the next generation in collaboration with Dallas Education Foundation
- Supporting the breast cancer awareness campaign in collaboration with Susan G. Komen
- Activities supporting girls’ education in collaboration with the Young Women’s Preparatory Network
- Co-creation activities utilizing digital technology to support the homeless in collaboration with Haven for Hope
6.2.3. NEC Corporation India’s Initiatives
NEC Corporation India Private Limited conducts support activities for children in rural areas, elderly people with financial difficulties, and women who have lost their husbands. In 2021, NEC Corporation India received the India CSR Leadership Award in recognition of a series of related humanitarian initiatives.
- Gift the Warmth Drive (activities to give cold-weather goods and other items to children in financially difficult circumstances)
- Radhakund Ashram (health support activities for women who have lost their husbands)
- Activities supporting girls’ education in collaboration with the NGO Krish
- Support for establishment of Shiksha Pratham Center and education for underprivileged children in collaboration with the center
- Comprehensive support for higher education, including technical assistance, for female students with visual impairments, in collaboration with the Blind Welfare Society
6.2.4. NEC Platforms Thai’s Initiatives
- Kathin activities to protect Thai culture and Buddhism
- Environmental awareness activities through exchanges with children, in collaboration with local elementary schools in communities near our factories
6.2.5. Initiatives at NEC Telecom Software Philippines, Inc.
- Blood donation activities in collaboration with the Philippine Red Cross
- Fundraising activities to support victims of the 2025 earthquake off the coast of Cebu
6.2.6. NEC Europe’s Initiatives
- Activities supporting Cancer Research UK through participation in charity runs
- Activities supporting Thames Hospice through participation in the SantaDash charity event
- Support activities in collaboration with Hillingdon Foodbank, such as organizing inventory and preparing items for packing and distributing food packages
6.2.7. NEC XON’s Initiatives
- Grants for ICT-related projects of the National Institute for the Deaf (NID), including education and training for people with hearing impairments
- Grants to Care for Education, which runs educational initiatives in South Africa such as the World Robot Olympiad