STEP 1: Identification of Matters
The IHI Group identified sustainability matters relevant to the Group by referring to international sustainability standards and guidelines, including the GRI and SASB Standards.
Material Issues
The IHI Group defines material issues as the key management issues to be prioritized to achieve sustainable growth as a company and realize a sustainable society.
In 2026, the IHI Group revised its material issues for the Group. Through this revision, the Group identified the key management issues to realize its desired state in 2040, as set forth in its Medium-to-Longer-Term Direction announced in May 2026: “Supporting the safety, security, and prosperity of people worldwide at its core.”
In reviewing its material issues, the Group applied a double materiality approach and identified the material sustainability matters from two perspectives: the impact of the IHI Group’s business activities on the environment and society, and the sustainability-related risks and opportunities for the IHI Group. Based on these material sustainability matters, the Group determined the material issues the Group should address to realize its desired state in 2040 set out in its Medium-to-Longer-Term Direction.
The IHI Group’s Material Issues
| Material issues | Rationale for the selection |
|---|---|
| Realizing Safe and Secure Society | Amid rapid changes in the global environment and increasing geopolitical complexity, demand for resilient social infrastructure is growing worldwide. Looking toward 2040, the IHI Group will leverage the advanced technological capabilities it has cultivated since its founding to contribute to the economic, national, and energy security of countries around the world across fields such as aerospace, energy, and infrastructure. In doing so, the IHI Group will underpin the safety, security, and prosperity of people worldwide and strive to realize its desired state. |
| Addressing Climate Change | The IHI Group has continuously advanced its climate-related initiatives, recognizing that climate change is a key issue that significantly affects the environment, society, and the economy, and consequently has a major impact on corporate sustainability. The Group positions the provision of social and industrial infrastructure that contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation as a driver of its sustainable growth. By contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society and to adapting to societal changes resulting from climate change, the IHI Group will underpin the safety, security, and prosperity of people worldwide and strive to realize its desired state. |
| Building a Sustainable Value Chain | Collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders is essential for the IHI Group to realize its desired state. Such collaboration will build a sustainable value chain that generates social and environmental value while driving corporate growth. This not only creates new markets that enhance the Group’s competitiveness but also contributes to society by underpinning a safe and secure society and addressing climate change. Through these efforts, the IHI Group will continue to create value for society. |
| Creating Innovation | Technology and human resources, which lie at the core of the IHI Group’s Management Philosophy, drive value creation aimed at realizing its desired state. Continuous innovation is essential for the IHI Group to achieve sustainable growth. To this end, the Group focuses resources through technology management on key technologies that drive competitive advantage. By strengthening its capability for value creation through innovation, the IHI Group will strive for sustainable growth. |
| Collaboration with Diverse Talent | Technology and talent, which lie at the core of the IHI Group’s Management Philosophy, drive value creation aimed at realizing its desired state. Sustainable growth depends on collaboration among diverse talent. To enable this, the IHI Group must secure the necessary talent and foster a culture that encourages continuous challenge and mutual support. By enabling diverse talent, both within and outside the Group, to collaborate and fully leverage their capabilities, the IHI Group will strive for sustainable growth. |
Materiality Assessment Process
STEP 2: Assessment of Matters
The IHI Group identified Group-wide impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with the sustainability matters identified in STEP 1 and assessed the significance by having relevant internal divisions score each item. The assessment was conducted from two perspectives: the impact of the Group’s business activities on the environment and society (external impact assessment), and the impact of sustainability-related risks and opportunities on the Group’s business activities (financial impact assessment). The assessment time horizons were defined as one year for the short term, three years for the medium term, and fifteen years for the long term.
Based on the results, the Group identified sustainability matters exceeding the thresholds under both perspectives. These material sustainability matters were then used to determine the Group’s material issues as the key management issues it should address to realize its desired state in 2040 set out in its Medium-to-Longer-Term Direction.
STEP 3: Validation of Assessment Results
The IHI Group conducted a dialogue with external experts on February 12, 2026, to confirm the appropriateness of the materiality assessment. Details of the dialogue are as follows:
Dialogue Topics
- Comprehensiveness of the sustainability matters assessed
- Reasonableness of the assessment results in light of social and industry trends
- Appropriateness of the material issues identified
External Expert Comment 1
Hiroki Sampei
Founder & Principal, Astonering Advisor LLC
It is worthwhile that the IHI Group has identified material issues in light of the direction it aims to pursue. The Group should ensure that it clearly communicates to external stakeholders not only what it intends to do but also why, in order to enhance the persuasiveness of its communication.
For example, when explaining the rationale behind its material issues, the Group could clarify why each issue is important by referring to the IHI Group’s Management Philosophy as well as the interconnections among the issues. This would make the definitions and positioning of each material issue easier to understand.
Highlighting national security is effective; however, the Group could further enhance its communication by explaining how it recognizes and intends to address risks associated with fragmentation, including geopolitical and social fragmentation, as well as other challenges related to realizing this vision.
External Expert Comment 2
Toshihiko Goto
Special Advisor and Former Representative Director (2003–2025), Sustainability Forum Japan
Executive Director, Global Compact Network Japan
The identification of the five material issues is generally appropriate. However, it is desirable for the IHI Group to use terminology aligned with global standards to the extent possible, as clear communication with both internal and external stakeholders is essential for the effective implementation of the Group’s business strategies based on these material issues.
For example, the term “value chain” used in “Building a Sustainable Value Chain” appears to have a broader meaning than that defined in international sustainability disclosure standards. Therefore, it is necessary to provide clear and careful explanations to stakeholders.
It is also important to note that the significance of sustainability matters such as the circular economy, AI utilization, and human rights, which relate to multiple material issues, appears to have been assessed as relatively low. It would be beneficial for the Group to clearly explain its rationale for the positioning of these matters.
Response to Expert Comments
Akihiro Seo
Managing Executive Officer (Officer in charge of Group ESG)
The comments received from external experts raise important issues. While these topics have already been discussed internally, we recognize the need to further deepen our consideration going forward.
For example, regarding the management of risks associated with fragmentation, we recognize this as a highly important issue for the IHI Group and will work to communicate our recognition and response measures more clearly in future disclosures. In addition, “Building a Sustainable Value Chain,” one of our material issues, is intended not only to appropriately manage risks and social and environmental impacts in the value chain, but also to create new markets, generate new demand, and expand our business broadly—from manufacturing through product use—thereby achieving both the provision of social and environmental value and corporate growth. We will continue to explain this concept clearly in future disclosures.
It should also be noted that sustainability matters such as the circular economy, AI utilization, and human rights, which have cross-cutting impacts across multiple material issues, are embedded within the Group’s five material issues. As the Group advances initiatives related to these five material issues, its efforts to address these cross-cutting issues will also progress in parallel. Taking these points into account, we will strive to communicate more clearly in future disclosures why each material issue is important to the Group and how the issues are interrelated.
STEP 4: Finalization of Material Issues
The IHI Group finalized its updated material issues based on the outcomes of the dialogue with external experts, following deliberation and approval by the Board of Directors.
Targets and Performance of Material Issues
The IHI Group is currently developing KPIs linked to its material issues. The departments responsible for each material issue will regularly monitor and evaluate progress and refine initiatives as needed to drive continuous improvement.
For the previous material issues, related targets, and fiscal 2025 performance, please refer to the link below.