Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) believes that respect for human rights is fundamental to doing business. MC has established the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management, which outlines MC’s actions to address human rights, labor rights and environmental issues in the supply chain. This policy serves to convey MC’s fundamental perspective to all its suppliers. MC also conducts annual surveys of suppliers, with a focus on those in industries where social risks and environmental risks are considered higher, including the tuna industry. Based on the results of the responses to the survey, MC conducts additional surveys and on-site inspections, and together with requesting relevant suppliers to take corrective measures, MC provides guidance and assistance as necessary. If MC determines that a resolution is unlikely even after providing continuous guidance and assistance, MC will review its business relationship with the supplier.

<Reference: Supply Chain Management | Mitsubishi Corporation>

MC is promoting initiatives to realize sustainable procurement, and in August 2022, the company also formulated and disclosed its Tuna Procurement Guidelines as a policy to address tuna-specific issues. 

As noted in the Mongabay article, it is true that MC and Toyo Reizo have both purchased from Dalian Ocean Fishing (DOF) in the past. However, neither MC nor Toyo Reizo have had any transactions with DOF since April 2020, nor does either company plan to conduct transactions with DOF in the future. That being said, as companies that have purchased tuna from DOF in the past, if it is true that DOF engaged in the fishing practices described in the article, both MC and Toyo Reizo find this to be truly regrettable.