- The positive impact that business can make by tackling social problems in partnership with Japan's growing network of non-profit organizations (NPOs) is highlighted by a new report, published today.

The report also identifies the social issues of most concern to people in modern-day Japan. These include issues resulting from economic change - such as increasing homelessness and crime - as well as issues arising from lifestyle changes, such as truancy and gender inequality in the workplace.

Corporate Community Investment in Japan - published in both Japanese and English - has been initiated by Cable & Wireless, the global telecommunications group, as part of its commitment to play a positive role as a corporate citizen in Japan.

The report aims to demonstrate the many benefits of developing a strategic community investment program, which has a close link with both core business objectives and also the needs and requirements of Japan's local communities.

Phil Green, CEO of Cable & Wireless IDC Inc. explained the rationale behind the report. He said:

"Cable & Wireless has a long standing tradition of community investment and is committed to making a positive social contribution to the communities in which it operates. This report is the first stage in this process in Japan. We intend to build on it by engaging with the NPO community and by carefully exploring how our business can respond to the unique needs of our communities in Japan and make a positive social contribution."

Commenting on the significance of the report, Atsuko Hattori, Director of CAC was keen to encourage companies - both Japanese firms and western companies doing business in Japan - to embrace the idea of strategic community investment. She said:

"It is rare for this kind of research to be conducted in collaboration with business, and even more unusual for such research to be published in both Japanese and English. The collaborative approach advocated by the report can bring mutual benefit to both the public and private sector and deliver new ideas and energy to provide solutions to the most important social issues."

"Economic and lifestyle changes in recent decades have caused cracks to emerge in Japan's traditionally strong society. People are rejecting traditional institutions for failing to meet new social challenges and are turning instead to new organizations to effect change. Business and NPO partnerships have a key role to play in future solutions."

For Further Information on this Release:

Joe Franses, Cable and Wireless plc     +44 (0)20 7315 4489
Judy Kuszewski, SustainAbility     +44 (0)20 7269 6908
Gary Inwood, Cable & Wireless IDC     +81 (0)3 5820 5121
Atsuko Hattori, Centre for Active Community     +81 (0)3 3580 1131

Notes to Editor:

Corporate Community Investment in Japan is a 36-page, A4 publication. A downloadable copy of the report is available from www.cw.com/community. Hard copies of the report are available from Cable & Wireless Tel: +44 (0)20 7315 4489.

The Cable & Wireless presence in Japan began in 1987 as a founding shareholder of International Digital Communications (IDC). Since the acquisition of IDC in 1999, Cable & Wireless has continued to develop its Japanese presence and today provides a broad range of IP, data and telecommunications services for business customers in Japan. www.cw.com

The Centre for Active Community is a Japanese non-profit research network dedicated to the exploration and development of community empowerment through partnership with the public and corporate sectors. www.cac-net.org

Founded in 1987, SustainAbility is the longest established international consultancy specializing in business strategy and sustainable development (viz. environmental improvement, social equity and economic development). Based in London and Washington, D.C., SustainAbility works with businesses from a variety of sectors and countries, helping them understand and respond strategically to the evolving challenges of sustainable development and corporate responsibility. www.sustainability.com

About Cable & Wireless
Cable & Wireless is one of the world’s leading international communications companies. For 130 years it has constantly reinvented itself to embrace the latest technological advances to serve its customers’ needs.

Cable & Wireless’ principal operations are in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United States, Japan, the Caribbean, Panama, the Middle East and Macau.

Cable & Wireless provides voice, data and IP (Internet Protocol) services to business and residential customers, as well as services to other telecoms carriers, mobile operators and providers of content, applications and internet services. For more information about Cable & Wireless, go to www.cw.com.

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