Initiatives for Respect for Human Rights

Policy for Respect for Human Rights

As the Kewpie Group, we recognize that all aspects of our business activities may, directly or indirectly, affect human rights. Therefore, to respect the human rights of all the people involved in our business, we have established the Kewpie Group Human Rights Policy.
To realize our corporate motto, “RAKU-GYOU-KAI-ETSU,” it is essential that we respect human rights. The directors and employees working at the Kewpie Group act with responsibility so that they do not negatively affect or indirectly violate human rights. We strive to create environments in which everyone can work with a sense of safety and fulfillment. We also hope our suppliers and business partners will likewise abide by this policy, and we will encourage them to do so.

Human Rights Management Structure

To face a wide range of human rights risks in the value chain of the Kewpie Group, we recognize respect for human rights as a material issue for sustainability.
The human rights risks identified are addressed by the Sustainability Committee, and actions are planned and implemented in cooperation with the relevant committees and departments.
We have also established a reporting helpline within our internal control system to detect violations and take corrective actions. If there is a violation, we will implement remediations to prevent recurrence after consultation with the department concerned.

Human Rights Due Diligence Process

To tackle the wide range of human rights risks related to the Kewpie Group's value chain, we work according to a human rights due diligence framework.

Of the human rights risks detected, we have identified items pertinent to Group employees and suppliers, and have decided to work toward correcting each of these risks.

The following risks were identified as human rights risks related to the Kewpie Group's value chain based on international standards on human rights.

  • Harassment
  • Discriminatory Response
  • Discriminatory Representations
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Forced Labor
  • Child Labor
  • Working Hours
  • Freedom of Association
  • Insufficient or Unpaid Wages
  • Lack of Education and Training
  • Right to Privacy
  • Freedom of Residence
  • Freedom of Expression
  • Indigenous and Local People's Rights
  • Intellectual Property Rights
  • Consumer Safety and Right to Know
  • Bribery and Corruption
  • Poor Supplier Management

Initiatives for Employees

In an environment where various people work, we respect the human rights of all employees and aim to realize a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Every two years, we conduct an "Employee Awareness Survey" of all employees to ascertain their understanding and awareness of compliance, their satisfaction with their work, and their views on corporate social responsibility. The results of the survey are shared with employees to ascertain whether human rights violations have occurred and examine issues related to the penetration and thoroughness of compliance, which are subsequently reflected in employee awareness-raising activities and training programs.

Helpline Operation

  • In FY2022, there were 28 reports or consultations to the helpline.
  • They were mainly reports/consultations concerning harassment and some were regarding deficiencies in workplace support.
    There were no items related to accounting or quality irregularities.
  • Our response is to investigate the facts, if there are violations, to take countermeasures, consult with the department responsible about prevention measures, then implement said measures. In cases that are not considered violations, but there is inappropriateness in behavior or response, we aim to correct the situation using warnings, thus improving the workplace environment.
  • From the perspective of safeguarding the informant, we prohibit inquiries into, and the pursuit of, or retaliatory actions towards informants. We promote proper implementation by checking that there has not been any retaliation or penalties imposed on the informant after a certain period of time.

Supplier Initiatives

The Kewpie Group is committed to its ingredients. Its work is underpinned by the belief that "Good products begin with good ingredients." It is now necessary to consider not only quality but also the environment and human rights in the supply chain, and we will work on this together with our suppliers. We conduct procurement based on the Kewpie Group's Fundamental Policy for Sustainable Procurement, which was formulated in January 2018. In April 2022, we formulated the "Kewpie Group Supplier Guidelines" for our suppliers. We will strive to reduce human rights risks in our supply chain through the implementation of questionnaires for suppliers and continued communication.

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