CDP^*, a non-profit organization that conducts international environmental research and information disclosure, gave AEON MALL an A- rating, one level higher than the score of B we received last year. This upgrade recognizes our strategy and response to climate change. This year's survey covered more than 9,600 companies that disclosed information on their strategies and responses to environmental issues through CDP. Companies were rated on an eight-point scale from A to D- and the results were announced publicly. Institutional investors use these results to make investment decisions.

Our company has been recognized for its efforts in climate change mitigation through the supply chain, implementing activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in the field of "Supplier Engagement Assessment" by CDP, a nonprofit organization conducting international environmental surveys and information disclosure. We have been certified for two consecutive years on the highest-rated "Supplier Engagement Leader Board," acknowledging our commitment to addressing climate change through supply chain initiatives.

In the 2023 GRESB (Global ESG Benchmark for Real Assets) Real Estate Assessment, our company achieved the highest rating of "5 stars" in the GRESB rating, which is categorized on a five-point scale based on the global ranking of overall scores, showing an improvement from the previous year.
Additionally, we received the "Green Star" rating, indicating excellence in both the "Management Component," which assesses policies and organizational structures for ESG promotion, and the "Performance Component," which evaluates environmental performance in owned properties, initiatives with tenants, and similar factors. This marks the ninth consecutive year of receiving the "Green Star" rating.
Our company is committed to sustainable management based on ESG principles, aiming for sustained growth in collaboration with local communities through the creation of economic, social, and environmental value. We continue to advance our efforts in mall development with an ESG perspective.

Not only financial information but also the company's commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, referred to as non-financial information, is measured to assess the value of a company for investment decisions in ESG investing. As this investment approach rapidly expands, our company has been selected as a constituent stock in various indices calculated by institutions that select companies with excellent ESG evaluations, providing investment information for institutional investors.

The "Morningstar Japan Stock Gender Diversity Tilt Index (excluding REITs)" evaluates companies based on factors such as gender balance, wage gaps, parental leave policies, and policies regarding sexual harassment that are ingrained in the corporate culture, promising equal opportunities to employees regardless of gender. Companies are classified into five groups based on their evaluation scores.
Our company has been rated in the highest category, "Group 1."

Our company was certified as an Excellent Health Management Corporation 2023 (Large Corporation Division) in March 2023. It marks the fourth consecutive year of receiving this certification since 2020. The Excellent Health Management Corporation system, organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Health Council, recognizes corporations that demonstrate outstanding health management practices based on initiatives addressing local health challenges and efforts promoting health advancement as advocated by the Japan Health Council. At our company, we promote health management with the belief that the health of our employees is crucial. We consider that by prioritizing employee health, we can provide services to our community that contribute to both physical and mental well-being.

In March 2023, our company obtained the "Platinum Eruboshi" certification from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace. We are the third company in Chiba Prefecture to receive this certification.
The "Platinum Eruboshi" certification recognizes companies actively promoting women's participation in the workforce. Among the "Eruboshi" certified companies, those particularly outstanding in achieving goals outlined in action plans and implementing initiatives to promote women's participation receive certification from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
In this certification, our efforts in conducting training for female managerial candidates and creating an environment where every employee is given a fair chance and can challenge themselves were acknowledged. Moving forward, we will continue striving to create a workplace environment where employees with diverse backgrounds, regardless of gender or nationality, can work vibrantly and continuously.

Our company has been awarded the highest level of "Gold" certification in the "PRIDE Index 2023," an evaluation indicator for corporate initiatives regarding sexual minorities, including LGBTQ+, established by "Work with Pride※1."
With the goal of becoming a "Gender Equality and LGBTQ+ Friendly Company," our company actively promotes a workplace environment where human rights and individuality are respected. This is achieved through initiatives such as human rights training and the establishment of internal regulations. Moving forward, we will continue our efforts to create a workplace environment where a diverse workforce, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can collaborate and work comfortably.
※1: "Work with Pride" was established in 2016 as a voluntary organization supporting the promotion and establishment of diversity management for sexual minorities in organizations, including companies. (https://workwithpride.jp/)
※2: The PRIDE Index evaluates corporate initiatives based on five indicators: Policy (declaration of action), Representation (involvement of the LGBTQ+ community), Inspiration (awareness activities), Development (human resources systems and programs), and Engagement/Empowerment (social contributions and external activities). Gold certification signifies achievement in all five of these indicators.

AEON MALL Kofu Showa (Yamanashi Prefecture) obtained the S Rank in its CASBEE for Real Estate certification in March 2019. S Rank is the highest of the five ranks possible. CASBEE rates structures based on a comprehensive evaluation of environmental performance. Aspects reviewed include mitigation of environmental impact (energy and resource conservation and recycling performance) and consideration for the local landscape.

In the "Eco Certification Awards 2022," our company was honored with the "Eco Unit Division Grand Prize" for our dedicated efforts in environmental activities, leveraging the knowledge acquired through the Eco Certification. Our substantial initiatives towards biodiversity and the promotion of a Circular Economy were particularly recognized.
At our company, we aim to raise awareness and promote efforts for environmental protection. We encourage all employees to obtain the Eco Certification, and as of November 2022, approximately 85% of eligible employees, totaling 1,496 individuals, have acquired the certification domestically.
Moving forward, we, as corporate citizens, will continue our commitment to advancing environmental activities to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society and the conservation of the global environment.
※For more details, please refer to [here].

In accordance with Kyoto City Global Warming Countermeasures Regulations, Kyoto City has implemented a system for comprehensively evaluating emission reduction plans and reports submitted by specific business operators for the purpose of encouraging voluntary emission reduction of specific business operators whose greenhouse gas emissions have reached a certain scale. Our Company was selected as a Particularly Excellent Business Operator because of our excellent emission reduction results that can be taken as an example for others.

In July 2020, AEON MALL Futtsu (Chiba Prefecture) received the Reiwa 2 (2020) “Marine Day” Minister’s Commendation for Meritorious Service to Maritime Affairs from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan for its biannual cleanup of Nunobiki Beach since 1998. The Company is awarded the General Collaborator for Making the Sea Clean, which recognizes an organization that has left remarkable results in service activities for marine environment conservation.

Japanese Red Cross Society has a system for recognizing companies that actively assist in its activities. AEON MALL Natori (Miyagi Prefecture), AEON MALL Rifu (Miyagi Prefecture), AEON Akashi SC (Hyogo Prefecture), and AEON MALL Ayagawa (Kagawa Prefecture) received the Testimonial from Japan Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is awarded by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan based on the recommendation by Japanese Red Cross Society who values the performance of companies and organizations in blood donation activities nationwide in the recommendation. In addition, AEON MALL Ota (Gunma Prefecture) and AEON MALL Futtsu (Chiba Prefecture) also received Silver Award of Merit respectively in recognition of their achievements.

With the aim of raising awareness related to reducing general waste from business activities and the purpose of contributing to the construction of a recycling-oriented society, Akita City selects business operators that are particularly excellent at waste reduction, reuse, and recycling out of those with high waste generation volumes in the city and honors them as excellent business operators. AEON MALL Akita (Akita Prefecture) has been selected as an honored business operator for 3 consecutive years since FY2018. The amount of miscellaneous refuse generated in FY2020 was reduced to 74.7% of the amount generated in FY2019.

In March 2022, we obtained the "WELL Health-Safety Rating" at "THE OUTLETS KITAKYUSHU," a facility managed and operated in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
The "WELL Health-Safety Rating," established based on the expertise of public health professionals, is a global standard evaluation that involves third-party verification to assess facilities from a wellness perspective. This evaluation ensures that the facility prioritizes the health and safety of visitors and employees, especially in response to infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and other emergencies.
This marks our second acquisition of the "WELL Health-Safety Rating," with the first being obtained in 2020 at Aeon Mall Ageo, making it the first domestic commercial facility to achieve this certification. Currently, we have obtained certification for a total of eight malls.

In 2017, we became the first Japanese company to participate in EV100^*.
As one measure to preserve the global environment and create sustainable societies, we are installing electric vehicle (EV) recharging stations at our malls to encourage the use of low-CO₂ electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHV).

ABINC certification is a third-party evaluation and certification by the Association for Business Innovation in Harmony with Nature and Community (ABINC). The certification looks at biodiversity-conscious green space creation and other initiatives based on the Guidelines for Offices Promoting Symbiosis with Life Forms developed by the Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB).
AEON Mall is expanding the number of certified malls, and as of the end of February 2021, a total of nine malls have acquired certification. In addition, AEON MALL identified biodiversity as a company materiality, and we are working with local residents to protect ecosystems and engage in environmental preservation activities. We will continue to promote the creation of malls that coexist in harmony with nature and that offer abundant greenery.

Starting from August 2022, four Aeon malls have newly achieved the highest rating of 5 stars: Aeon Lake Town Kaze (Saitama), Aeon Lake Town Mori (Saitama), Aeon Mall Fukutsu (Fukuoka), and Aeon Mall Wakayama (Wakayama).
Additionally, in June 2023, Aeon Mall Miyakonojo Ekimae (Miyazaki) also obtained a 4-star rating.
Please note that for Aeon Lake Town Kaze (※1) and Aeon Lake Town Mori (※2), this represents a re-certification achievement.

AEON MALL Tendo (Yamagata Prefecture) and AEON MALL Kurashiki (Okayama Prefecture) each received prizes at the sixth Local Community Contribution SC Awards, held in April 2019. The Japan Council of Shopping Centers bestows the award to shopping centers that strive for local revitalization and serve as essential hubs for local communities. Prize criteria is based on the Council’s guidelines regarding how shopping centers can contribute to the local community.

Okinawa Prefecture CO₂ Absorption Certification System is a system that evaluates and certifies the amount of CO₂ absorbed by forests through planting activities that are implemented according to plan by prefectural residents, municipalities, and enterprises. AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom (Okinawa Prefecture) was certified because its expected CO₂ absorption for the five-year period starting February 2021 through tree planting activities on the site is calculated to be 591,328kg-CO₂.