At SmartNews, individual differences create connection, connection becomes collective intelligence, and collective intelligence unlocks the future.

SmartNews stays true to its mission of delivering the world's quality information to the people who need it, working toward that goal every day. At the heart of this challenge is the power of collective intelligence, which emerges from the intersection of diverse individuals and meaningful connections. We strive to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging not as standalone initiatives, but as a culture that naturally lives within our daily work.

SmartNews brings together a diverse group of talented individuals from different nationalities and cultures, who speak different languages and bring knowledge in diverse areas of expertise. While such differences can sometimes present challenges, we believe that respecting and understanding these varied perspectives as we work towards our shared mission is the key to generating innovation and solidarity. Our different backgrounds let us see what others might miss, and our differences help us support each other in ways we couldn't alone. That is the true strength of SmartNews.

An environment where everyone feels safe to speak up and be themselves is deeply connected to individual performance and the quality of the entire organization's judgment and progress. We strive to incorporate culture into our systems and processes, as well as into everyday conversations and decisions, creating a culture where everyone feels, "this matters to me personally."

Our culture is not a special initiative, but a value deeply connected to SmartNews's mission. To genuinely aim towards "Delivering the world's quality information to the people who need it," we believe it is essential that we ourselves respect differences, learn from each other, and trust one another. Moving forward, we will continue to challenge ourselves, together with all our members, to build a smooth and seamless organization where everyone feels involved.

At SmartNews, we aim to achieve a culture of true belonging through the following initiatives:

• Training and Events
  We conduct internal training sessions and workshops to create an inclusive workplace and enhance employee awareness. We also actively encourage participation in external culture-related events to broaden perspectives.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
  In 2025, we launched "Women@SmartNews" as our pilot ERG. We continue to support forming employee-led communities across various themes, creating spaces where colleagues can connect and support each other.

At SmartNews, we're committed to building an environment that embraces diversity through thoughtful system design.

• Global Language Solutions (GLS) Team
  To eliminate language barriers, we provide Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation during meetings and systematically translate internal documents, ensuring seamless collaboration.
• Diversity Lunch Program
  To accommodate dietary needs related to religion, health, or culture, we offer a lunch expense option for employees who are unable to eat the standard meal provided that day.
• Inclusive Communication
  Our GLS team uses inclusive language in all internal communications and event announcements, ensuring that information is accessible and respectful to everyone.

By design, we're creating a space where every employee feels empowered to be themselves and give their all.