For Sony Group employees in Japan, Sony Group Corporation, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., Sony Life Care Inc., and Sony Financial Group Inc. held a talk session in which employees from four different companies in different business fields discussed the development of entertainment services that can be enjoyed by seniors. Networking events that brought together women managers from each company also took place, as did lectures on a variety of topics including gender, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, women's health, and more. e-Learning courses on "Accessibility," "Inclusive Design," and "Cross-cultural Communications" were also offered as related events. The multi-faceted collaborative project also included a workshop video in which participants experienced the freedom to think and express themselves without being limited by their own assumptions about gender or disabilities through making sock puppets of Sesame Street characters. A special menu was also served in the cafeteria. Over 1,500 Sony Group employees participated in the event throughout the period.

Activities in North America and Latin America

In North America and Latin America, Sony Group companies joined forces and offered employees the opportunity to participate in a series of events and activities hosted by Sony Corporation of America, Sony Electronics, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Music Group and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Diversity Month events were focused on social justice, racial equity awareness, mental health, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, allyship and belonging. Events/activities included virtual conversations with Sony executives, cultural heritage celebrations that highlighted food and music with Sony's employee network groups, and a "One Sony" collaborative initiative to highlight the "Power of Belonging".

Sony employees were invited to attend a keynote address from public speaker and film maker, Denise Soler Cox, who, while on her journey to promote her film, Being Eñye, discovered the similarities in the desire to feel a sense of belonging from the majority of underrepresented communities across the world. As a keynote speaker for Sony's Global Diversity Week event, Denise shared her three truths about belonging, incorporating Singular Perspective Theory, Positive Interdependence, and the Authentic Self. Employees walked away from the event with a deeper understanding of identifying where a greater sense of belonging is needed and be equipped with tools to actively create and cultivate it in their professional and personal lives.

Other events included: online workshop trainings on Allyship in the Workplace, which empowered employee participants to take action and assist in building a more inclusive work environment; cultural integration events and local canned food drives in connection with National Hispanic / Latinx Heritage Month; and virtual events focusing on mental health in the workplace.

Activities in Europe

Sony Europe (SEU), an organization representing over 80 nationalities across 27 countries, embraced Diversity Week with a variety of initiatives under the theme 'Dimensions of Diversity: The Power of Belonging.' Rooted in the belief that our differences are our strength, these initiatives aimed to celebrate individuality and foster a sense of belonging within the diverse tapestry of the organization.

SEU senior leadership team took center stage, actively participating in the 'Celebrating Differences' campaign. Leaders shared personal stories, underscoring their unique qualities and demonstrating a commitment to a workplace that values diversity and authenticity. This transparent leadership not only set the tone for the Diversity Weeks but also inspired employees to embrace their own distinct identities.

All employees were invited to engage in virtual events designed to enhance awareness and understanding. Sessions included:

Inclusion and Bias -

how language can be biased and how using a generative AI language tool can support to remove bias before it gets into communication.

Vulnerabilities as a Strength -

how we can redefine and embrace vulnerability, and its link to belonging.

Be Yourself, Speak Your Mind: How to Build Trust and Inclusion with your Colleagues -

a transformative workshop to discover the power of being your authentic self while fostering an environment where every voice matters.

Global Mindset and Cultural Intelligence -

an introduction to the concepts of a global mindset and cultural intelligence, two vital competencies for working effectively in a globalized workplace.

At a local level, countries hosted impactful events addressing key facets of diversity. From discussions on women in leadership and unseen global barriers, to unconscious bias training and cultural celebrations, each event contributed to raising awareness for racial and gender equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and allyship.

Activities in China and Asia Pacific

Sony (China) Ltd. led Diversity Week with a dynamic series of activities from November 13th to 17th, involving 10 affiliated companies. The week featured seven engaging sessions, including Diversified Career Path - Special You with distinguished guest speakers sharing unique career journeys.

Other sessions explored topics like Personal Branding Workshop focusing on self-identity and belonging, creating proper boundaries in an inclusive environment and the diverse business approaches of Sony in China. The Accessibility session included online training and personal stories from employees with hearing impairments, emphasizing their sense of belonging. A selfie campaign encouraged employee participation, accumulating points for attractive prizes. Additionally, a Mentorship Program was launched to provide diverse career development possibilities.

This year's Diversity Week witnessed unprecedented attention, and the average rating for online activities exceeded 9.5 out of 10, showcasing enthusiastic engagement and positive feedback.

Various educational events were also held at in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In Singapore, a talk session was held on the importance of a sense of belonging in the workplace and its impact on organizational culture. In order to involve employees in Thailand more deeply in DE&I, employees and the Well-being Committee voted to select several proposals, and policies for the next fiscal year have already been launched this fiscal year. In Indonesia, both person-to-person and online sessions were held in which employees talked about their experiences with diversity at Sony. In the Philippines, a film on diversity was shown, and many employees joined in a Mooncake Dice Game held in-house. The game is called Pua Tiong Chiuand is traditionally held annually in the Chinese-Filipino community in the Philippines during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Diversity Week events celebrate the richness of a diverse workforce and foster a culture where each individual feels valued, heard, and empowered. Through these efforts, the Sony Group has further increased the consciousness of creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and embraces it as drivers for new value creation.

The Sony Group will continue to adopt various measures designed to create a workplace where everyone can work comfortably.