Respect for Human Rights
Basic Concept
The Tsubaki Group considers respecting the human rights of all people involved in our business activities to be an important aspect of corporate social responsibility. We have established a Basic Human Rights Policy, which is based on international norms such as the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are striving to make this Policy well known and understood in the Tsubaki Group companies in Japan and overseas, and to promote the respect of human rights throughout the entire Group.
Basic Human Rights Policy
As part of our commitment to corporate social responsibility and recognizing the importance of upholding human rights, the Tsubaki Group has formulated its Basic Human Rights Policy. This policy serves as a cornerstone for promoting and fulfilling our responsibility to respect human rights across the entire Tsubaki Group.
1. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Tsubaki Group respects international norms on human rights, such as the United Nations Bill of International Human Rights, which stipulates the fundamental human rights of all people, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which stipulates the fundamental rights at work of the ILO, and supports the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact.
We will also promote initiatives for the respect of human rights, in line with the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
2. Scope of Application
This policy applies to all Tsubaki Group officials and employees. We will also encourage all business partners related to the Tsubaki Group’s business activities to support this policy.
3. Respect for Human Rights
The Tsubaki Group prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity group, nationality, social status, origin, gender, disability, health status, thoughts and beliefs, sexual orientation, or differences in job type or employment status, as well as harassment that harms the dignity of individuals. We also promise to provide a safe working environment, secure minimum wages, labor practices including proper management of working hours, freedom of association, and respect for the right to collective bargaining. Moreover, we firmly condemn slave labor, human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor.
4. Implementation of Human Rights Due Diligence
We at the Tsubaki Group are aware of the negative impact that our business activities may have on human rights, and we conduct periodic risk assessments to identify this impact, while promoting initiatives to prevent and mitigate it.
We will endeavor to promptly take appropriate and effective action to remedy any negative impacts that occur.
5. Education
The Tsubaki Group will provide appropriate training to the officers and employees so that this policy is incorporated into all activities of the Group.
6. Information Disclosure
The Tsubaki Group will accurately share information regarding our endeavors to uphold human rights, as outlined in this policy, through our website and other relevant channels.
Established: April 1, 2020
Promotion System
Guided by the Sustainability Committee, which is chaired by the COO, the Tsubaki Group is promoting initiatives for the respect of human rights throughout the entire Group, based on the Basic Policy on Sustainability and Basic Human Rights Policy. The Sustainability Promotion Department, Human Resources Department, Legal Affairs Department, and departments in charge of procurement are all working together to roll out activities for promoting human rights across the supply chain.
Initiatives
Implementation of Due Diligence Regarding Human Rights
In FY 2022, we conducted a self-check survey of 55 questions on human rights and labor, targeting eight domestic-affiliated companies and 23 overseas-affiliated companies (a total of 31 companies). The results showed one instance of a delay in regulatory compliance overseas, which was corrected immediately. No other serious concerns related to human rights. We will continue to support improvement efforts, particularly in areas with potential for enhancement in the management system and our commitment toward human rights, such as in education and aid.
In FY 2023, we carried out a human rights risk investigation at 246 major suppliers in Japan (191 responding companies with a response rate of 77.6%). For risk items identified as needing improvement in in the risk assessment, we are working on improvements in cooperation with the suppliers.
Setting Up a Consultation Desk and Reporting System for Human Rights-related Issues
Through the Corporate Ethics Hotline consultation desk that we have set up within and outside the company, we are also responding to consultations on human rights and anonymous reporting on human rights incidents. Moreover, with the assignment of employees to engage in consultations on any topic, we are capable of handling not only risks related to compliance with laws and regulations but also routine matters. We will continue to advance the development of a positive work environment.
Human Rights-related Education and Permeation
To ensure that nobody involved in its businesses is subject to any form of discrimination or harassment that violates individual dignity including on the grounds of race/ethnicity/nationality, social or economic status, gender, disability or health condition, personal beliefs, or employment type/status, the Tsubaki Group is implementing measures to enhance ethics awareness among all employees.
(1) Corporate Ethics Awareness Month
We have designated February of every year as Corporate Ethics Awareness Month while conducting activities designed to promote strict adherence to laws and rules in the Group’s countries of operation.
(2) Training on Human Rights and Harassment
We are implementing training on human rights and harassment in new employee training and training for employees who are promoted.
The Tsubaki Group’s Basic Human Rights Policy has been established based on international human rights standards and the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Through our human rights-related training for employees, we have established an awareness that companies have a responsibility to promote appropriate initiatives to address human rights risks and the respect of human rights, and that seriously addressing human rights-related issues is linked to raising corporate value.
(3) Provision of Human Rights Learning Materials to Suppliers
In FY 2023, we provided major suppliers with materials on business and human rights, sharing our understanding of supply chain responsibility for human rights violations and the importance of human rights due diligence.
Planning and Participation in Initiatives
As a part of our expression of support and approval of the United Nations Global Compact, since FY 2022 we have been participating in human rights due diligence (HRDD) workshops and human rights education workshops sponsored by the Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ). Through training and group work activities, the participants learned about positive examples of initiatives for respecting human rights and exchanged information with each other.
Additionally, we are also participating in the B+HR (Business and Human Rights) Academy, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the Japanese Government.
