Nichiban Group Human Rights Policy

All of our business activities are based on respect for human rights, and we recognize that appropriate responses to negative impacts on human rights are a priority issue that must be addressed by the entire Nichiban Group.
Therefore, in April 2022, we formulated the Nichiban Group Human Rights Policy. Based on this policy, we have established key human rights issues for each of our customers, corporate officers and employees, business partners, community and society, and all stakeholders.
We also address discrimination, harassment, forced labor, child labor, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, occupational health and safety, local communities, and high-risk situations as human rights issues related to our business activities.
The Nichiban Group respects the human rights of all people involved with Nichiban, and we will promote Group-wide measures to respect human rights, including those both directly related to human rights through our business and those indirectly involved.

To fulfill our responsibility to respect human rights, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we strive to establish and implement a human rights due diligence framework. This framework seeks to identify negative human rights impacts related to our business activities and continuously work to prevent, halt, and mitigate such impacts. We will work to remedy the situation in an appropriate manner if identified as having caused negative impacts on human rights.
We will also share our concern for human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption with our business partners, demand respect for human rights, and engage in ongoing dialogue and consultation with them.

1. 1.

   Introduction

   The Nichiban Group's basic philosophy is "to place great importance on the relationships and bonds between everyone as well as fostering happiness for all those concerned with Nichiban Group". Based on this basic philosophy, we recognize that all of our business activities must be based on respect for human rights, and we consider appropriate responses to negative impacts on human rights to be an important issue that should be addressed by the entire Corporate Group.

2. 2.

   Commitment to Human Rights

   We support and respect international human rights norms, including the United Nations International Bill of Human Rights, the core labor standards of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which set forth fundamental human rights for all people. We will comply with the laws and regulations of the countries and regions in which we operate. In the unlikely event of a conflict between the laws and regulations of the relevant country or region and international human rights norms, we will pursue methods that maximize respect for internationally recognized human rights. We will organize, analyze, and extract negative impacts on human rights throughout the value chain, and continuously disclose our efforts to manage and appropriately respond to such impacts as "key human rights issues" on our company website and elsewhere.

3. 3.

   Scope

   This policy applies to all officers and employees of the Nichiban Group, as well as temporary employees. We also recognize all business partners as our business partners, and we encourage all business partners related to our products and services not to infringe on human rights, and even when the Nichiban Group does not directly cause negative human rights impacts, we are committed to working together to promote respect for human rights.

4. 4.

   Human Rights Due Diligence

   In order to fulfill our responsibility to respect human rights, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we will strive to establish and implement a human rights due diligence mechanism to identify negative impacts on human rights related to the Nichiban Group's business activities and continuously work to prevent and mitigate such impacts. Where negative human rights impacts are identified, we will take appropriate steps to remedy them. We will strive to foster awareness by providing appropriate education on respect for human rights by and within our own officers and employees and temporary employees to ensure that this policy is integrated into and effectively implemented in all of our business activities.

5. 5.

   Key Human Rights Issues

   Based on this policy, we have established a set of Key Issues Concerning Human Rights at the Nichiban Group and will implement appropriate measures to address these issues. We will review these important issues from time to time in light of social changes and business trends.

1. 1.

   For Our Customers

   We will contribute to providing products and services that satisfy our customers. We will always think of our customers first, and we will supply our products and services through a robust supply chain, placing the highest priority on product quality and safety in our business activities. In the event of a problem with a product or service, we will promptly gather information and conduct an investigation in cooperation with the relevant departments, and strive to respond appropriately and provide better products and services.

2. 2.

   For All Corporate Officers and Employees

   We support international norms related to human rights, understand the elimination of forced labor and the abolition of child labor, and aim to create a comfortable work environment that respects human rights. In order to build a fair, open and equal workplace, free from discrimination and harassment, we strongly prohibit and eliminate any and all conduct related to harassment. In addition, we will strive to create a work environment in which all officers and employees are able to maintain and promote their own health.

3. 3.

   To Our Business Partners

   We will share with our business partners our concern for human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption in accordance with international norms related to human rights, and we will demand respect for human rights and engage in ongoing dialogue and consultation.

4. 4.

   For the Community and Society

   We recognize that environmental issues are closely related to respect for human rights, and we will actively and continually address these issues in consideration of the community and society throughout all of our business activities.

5. 5.

   For All Stakeholders

   We recognize the importance of dialogue with diverse stakeholders in promoting respect for human rights, and we will proactively create opportunities for such dialogue, and strive to develop a point of contact for redress.

1. 1.

   Discrimination

   We shall strive to realize a workplace free of discrimination regardless of race, color, gender, age, nationality or national origin, family status, disability, health status, marital status, pregnancy, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, political opinion, or any other reason.

2. 2.

   Harassment

   We will not engage in harassment or any other conduct that offends personal dignity. We do not tolerate any form of harassment, whether physical or mental, including language or behavior that the other party finds offensive.

3. 3.

   Forced Labor

   We do not engage in forced labor. We do not tolerate any form of modern slavery, including debt labor or human trafficking.

4. 4.

   Child Labor

   We do not allow children who are not of working age to work, as defined by national and regional laws and regulations. We do not allow young workers to engage in hazardous or harmful labor.

5. 5.

   Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining

   We respect the rights of our employees, including the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, as well as other civil and political rights. We will build good labor-management relations through dialogue and create a workplace culture and environment that values communication, transparency, and teamwork.

6. 6.

   Occupational Health and Safety

   We place safety above all else and strive to prevent accidents in the workplace. We will manage safety in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country and region, and create a safe work environment through the proactive and positive efforts of each and every employee.

7. 7.

   Local Community

   We understand that our business activities may affect land rights, access to water, the health of local populations, and the rights of indigenous peoples. We will respond to the demands and expectations of local communities through respect for human rights as they relate to these issues, in addition to understanding the culture and customs of each country and region.

8. 8.

   High-Risk Situations

   Even when we are faced with specific situations or environments that pose a high risk of human rights violations, such as conflict, natural disasters, or situations where corruption is widespread, we will strive to prevent human rights violations with the utmost care, based on the basic principle of respect for human rights.