Global Compact Japan Network and Astellas The Global Compact Japan Network (GC-JN) was launched as a local network in Japan in December 2003, to serve as a plat- form for implementing the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, which are related to four fields. The GC-JN is  made up of 186 Japanese companies and organizations that have agreed with the philosophy of the United Nations Global  Compact (as of April 2014). The organization plans and holds symposiums, workshops and study meetings based on the four  fields and ten principles. It also conducts research and makes proposals on sustainable global development. As a member of  the GC-JN, Astellas dispatches personnel to the organization, and uses its membership to promote CSR-based management  by learning about social trends and leading examples from other companies, while participating in subcommittees and study  groups and building networks that include companies in other sectors. At the fiscal 2013 GC-JN Symposium Participants took discussion and ideas on CSR activities to a deeper level by examining the theme of  “CSR and Management for the Future.” © Global Compact Japan Network Review of Operations I have been working on assignment at the GC-JN since October 2012. Through meetings  and close exchange of information with the United Nations Global Compact Headquarters  in New York, and over 100 local networks, I have directly experienced the global trend in  CSR and its dynamism. I have seen first-hand the front lines where a vigorous discussion  on the common theme of CSR is taking place between people of different cultural and  political backgrounds, and across different industries. Seeing the day-to-day progress of  the CSR world has been a tremendous stimulation for me. In Japan, enthusiastic network members organize regular activities such as subcom- mittees and seminars across industry boundaries to share their initiatives and issues related  to CSR activities between companies and organizations. They disseminate the results of  these activities to the public in an effort to raise the level of one another’s CSR activities.  These self-initiated initiatives are an extremely unique and valuable characteristic among  the local networks throughout the world. The practice and promotion of CSR-based man- agement is founded on the awareness of individual employees, and I recognize that I have  an important role in ensuring that the knowledge and experience that I am gaining from  GC-JN is fully utilized in Astellas’ CSR activities. I believe that the daily efforts of each  employee in their workplace can change the future for patients, and increase Astellas’  enterprise value. Annual Report 2014 _  Astellas Pharma Inc.  75 My Experience in the Global Compact Japan Network Yoshimi Ohno On assignment to GC-JN since October 2012