OREANDA-NEWS. April 03, 2012. In April 2012, Sumitomo Corporation will open the Sumitomo Corporation Global HRD Center in Ginza, located near its Head Office in Tokyo. The nine-story building, (which also has one floor below ground), covers a total floor space of approximately 4,900 square meters. The fifth through ninth floors will be zoned as sleeping accommodations for up to 60 people with the aim of becoming a place where people can come together from all around the world. Each of the five floors' unique styles will present international designs from the five continents including Asia, Africa and Europe. Moreover, to promote communication throughout the building, each floor will have a distinct communication room designed to correspond with the floor's theme. Along with standard conference rooms, the center will provide a variety of spaces that can be flexibly utilized to promote communication and foster creative ideas. The brightly lit dining hall, located on the fourth floor, features natural materials and will be a place where patrons can come to feel refreshed. Furthermore, food will be available that meets the cultural needs of diners, including vegetarian and halal (food items permissible by Islamic law) options.

The completion ceremony was held on March 14 with Susumu Kato, President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation, in attendance. The unveiling ceremony, a guided tour and Shinto rituals were conducted. The tour included a visit to the sleeping quarters, conference rooms and laundry facility to get a better understanding of the building's welcoming environment. Because the HRD Center is planned to function as a backup facility for the Head Office and be the Group's base for disaster countermeasures in times of catastrophic events, the building's earthquake resistance capacity is one and half times higher than the current government standards. In addition, emergency electrical generators are installed as backup power sources, water storage tanks are installed, and there are enough supplies to allow employees to stay for three consecutive days in case of an emergency.

The Sumitomo Corporation Group is implementing the development of global human resources on a company-wide level and promoting the development of locally hired employees, the preparation of a human resources database, and the strategic allocation of human resources. We will use the center not only as accommodations and a training location for overseas staff members, but also as a multipurpose facility where employees can come together, deepen exchanges both internationally and regardless of company affiliations, and thoroughly discuss future visions and strategies.