Respecting Human Rights
Fundamental approach
In December 2020, the Group established the Kikkoman Group Human Rights Policy (“Human Rights Policy”), which states that the Group upholds and respects international human rights standards, such as the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Additionally, to ensure full awareness of the Group’s Human Rights Policy, we have translated it into 10 languages and shared it with our domestic and overseas group companies.
Foreign language versions of the Kikkoman Group Human Rights Policy
- *The official version of this policy is in Japanese. The translated versions above are provided for reference only.
Furthermore, the Group established the Kikkoman Group Sustainable Sourcing Policy, which sets out the initiatives that the Group undertakes in partnership with its suppliers in the course of business activities. To promote more specific sustainable sourcing efforts, we also established the Packaging Guidelines, the Forest Resources Guidelines, and the Soybean Sourcing Guidelines, which are all in line with the Sustainable Sourcing Policy.
Promotion framework
Under the leadership of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHO), the Group pursues its human rights initiatives, which are led by Kikkoman Corporation, Kikkoman Food Products Company, and Kikkoman Business Service Company. The Sustainability Committee monitors and reviews the Group’s efforts and reports its findings to the Board of Directors.
Implementation of human rights due diligence
In December 2021, we conducted an impact assessment with the cooperation of CRT Japan to gain an understanding of potential negative human rights impacts that could occur in our value chain.
Based on our analysis and assessment of the findings of the human rights impact assessment, we identified the following two key human rights themes:
(1) Human rights risks in the supply chain (ingredients suppliers) (foreign workers employed by contract manufacturers)
(2) Monitoring of the working environments for foreign workers employed by our domestic and overseas factories
Addressing human rights themes
Supplier training and awareness programs and survey
- We conducted a Sedex*1 survey of our major suppliers, and 11 of them responded.
- Supplier briefing
In January 2023, Kikkoman Corporation held a Sedex Supplier Members Joint Briefing for domestic suppliers in partnership with other buyer members, where the suppliers were provided with information on Business and Human Rights and urged to join Sedex. The briefing was attended by seven contract manufacturers.
- We communicated the Kikkoman Group Human Rights Policy and our approach to Business and Human Rights to 38 contract manufacturers.
Encouraging logistics service providers to improve their working conditions
- We conducted interviews with logistics service providers through Sobu Logistics, which is responsible for the Kikkoman Group’s domestic logistics operations.
- We implemented the following specific improvement measures in collaboration with Kikkoman Food Products Company:
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- Reduced truck drivers’ waiting time by systemizing warehouse retrieval operations
- Streamlined operation and vehicle dispatch processes by extending order lead times
- Improved inadequate operations at delivery destinations
- Consolidated shipping warehouses into a central facility to shorten truck drivers’ working hours
- Kikkoman Food Products Company submitted a Voluntary Action Declaration as a member company supporting the “White Logistics” Promotion Initiative*2.
- *1Sedex stands for Supplier Ethical Data Exchange. It is an online platform that allows suppliers to manage and improve the working conditions in their supply chains.
- *2“White Logistics” Promotion Initiative portal site
Surveys of domestic and overseas group companies
Kikkoman Corporation carries out annual surveys of the working conditions for its foreign national employees, and the surveys have shown no signs of possible human rights violations.
| Year | Initiative Details |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Conducted surveys and interviews of HR managers TargetKikkoman Corporation and 21 domestic group companies |
| 2023 | Conducted surveys of HR managers TargetKikkoman Corporation and 22 domestic group companies Selectively interviewed HR managers and site supervisors of domestic group companies employing foreign national employees, carried out on-site inspections, and/or had direct discussions with foreign national employees |
| 2024 | Conducted surveys of HR managers or SMETA audits Target Kikkoman Corporation, 22 domestic group companies, and 5 overseas manufacturing companies Selectively interviewed HR managers and site supervisors of domestic group companies employing foreign national employees, carried out on-site inspections, and/or had direct discussions with foreign national employees, in collaboration with a third-party organization*1 |
- *1The Global Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC)
Training and awareness programs for domestic group companies
In 2023, we distributed guidelines on the employment of foreign workers to our domestic group companies to ensure that they are fully aware of the key points of employing foreign workers.
Internal training and awareness programs
The Kikkoman Group provides a range of training and awareness programs to ensure that its approach to respect for human rights is well communicated throughout the Group.
- New employee training
Each year, we organize Business and Human Rights training sessions for new employees to ensure that they are fully familiar with the Kikkoman Group Human Rights Policy and our approach to Business and Human Rights.
- Business and Human Rights training
From 2023 to 2024, we held e-learning training sessions to foster a better understanding of the Kikkoman Group Human Rights Policy and to acquire the essential knowledge of Business and Human Rights. Approximately 4,800 employees attended these sessions.
- Business and Human Rights workshops for overseas group companies
In 2023, we organized Business and Human Rights workshops, in collaboration with SDG Partners, Inc., for our overseas group companies in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia. A total of 43 employees from various departments of Kikkoman Corporation, JFC Japan Inc., and overseas group companies attended these workshops. At the workshops, the participants identified human rights risks specific to their countries or regions and discussed their efforts to address human rights risks.
- Harassment prevention training
We provide ongoing training to all employees to prevent harassment.
Remedy
The Kikkoman Group provides hotlines to receive reports and concerns from its employees.
- The Kikkoman Group Corporate Ethics Hotline
The Kikkoman Group has established a Group Corporate Ethics Hotline and made it available for all employees of the Group companies in Japan. The Group Corporate Ethics Hotline consists of an external hotline that is managed by two outside lawyers, a shared Group hotline that is managed by Kikkoman Corp.’s Legal & Compliance Department, and hotlines at individual companies that are set up as needed. Reports are received via dedicated phone line, fax, email, and dedicated post office box. When the office receives a report, an internal investigation is conducted, corrective measures taken, and feedback provided to the individual who initiated the report. The Corporate Ethics Committee Regulation stipulates protection for whistleblowers against any backlash or disadvantage that might result from submission of a report.
- Harassment hotline
We have harassment hotlines, overseen by the HR department, at our key business locations.
Participation in external initiatives
- United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)
Kikkoman Corporation became a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in 2001. We carry out business activities in accordance with the Ten Principles of the UNGC and proactively participate in study workshops organized by Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ) to develop collaboration with other companies and academic experts.
- The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)
Kikkoman Corporation is a member of The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), the only global organization that connects consumer goods retailers and manufacturers worldwide. CGF forms expert groups through global and regional working groups in non-competitive areas to address social and environmental challenges. In Japan, local groups have been established in the areas of sustainability, climate change, healthier living, and food safety, where collaborative efforts are being promoted to solve these issues.
- National Federation of Consumer Organizations (NFCO)
In 2022, Kikkoman Corporation endorsed the Guidelines on the Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals of the National Federation of Consumer Organizations (NFCO) and established its internal guidelines accordingly.