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.
キユーピーグループ人権方針（367KB） Kewpie Group Human Rights Policy（155KB）
Established in 2021, revised in 2025
Human rights management system
To address the wide range of human rights risks across Kewpie Group's value chain, we have designated "respect for human rights" as a key sustainability material issues and are working to achieve it.
The identified human rights risks are addressed by the Sustainability Committee, and in cooperation with relevant committees and departments, we plan and implement countermeasures.
Furthermore, our internal control system includes a "Helpline," a reporting and consultation service for detecting and correcting violations. If a violation occurs, we will consult with the relevant department and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Implementation of the human rights due diligence process
As an implementation process to address the wide range of human rights risks related to Kewpie Group's value chain, we are working in accordance with the framework of human rights due diligence.
Of the identified human rights risks, we have decided to focus on those affecting group employees and suppliers, and to work towards correcting each of them.
In the 2023 project to assess critical human rights risks, the following risks were identified as particularly important by external experts based on information obtained through international human rights standards and hearings. We plan to continue monitoring the situation and updating the assessment based on these results.
Kewpie Group's Key Human Rights Risks Requiring Special Attention and Responses to Prevent and Mitigate Them
| Important Human rights risks |
Targets | Kewpie Group Response in the group |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company employee |
Primary supplier |
Raw materials producer |
Customer· consumer |
||
| Occupational Safety and Health | ● | ● | |||
| Forced labor | ● | ● | ● | ||
| Child labor | ● | ● | ● | ||
| Harassment | ● | ● | |||
| Long working hours and overwork |
● |
|
|||
| Product defects and health/safety violation |
● | ||||
Initiatives for Employees
Given that we have a diverse workforce, we strive to create a workplace where every employee respects human rights and is free from discrimination and harassment. Every two years, we conduct an "Employee Awareness Survey" for all employees to understand their understanding and awareness of compliance, assess their job satisfaction, and confirm their views on corporate social responsibility. We provide feedback on the survey results to our employees, identify any human rights violations and challenges in promoting and enforcing compliance, and reflect these findings in employee awareness activities and training.
Helpline operation
- In FY2025, there were 38 reports and consultations made to the helpline.
- The majority of the reports and consultations concerned harassment, but there were also some related to inadequate responses in the workplace.
There were no instances of fraud related to accounting or quality control. - Our response will involve investigating the facts, taking disciplinary action if a violation has occurred, and implementing preventative measures in consultation with the relevant department. If no violation is found, but inappropriate behavior or conduct is deemed to have occurred, we will take corrective measures such as warnings and guidance to improve the workplace environment.
- From the perspective of protecting whistleblowers, we prohibit investigation, prosecution, and retaliation against whistleblowers. After a certain period, we conduct follow-up checks with whistleblowers to confirm that no harm has occurred and to ensure appropriate operation.
Commitment to Suppliers
Kewpie Group has a strong commitment to raw materials, believing that "Good products begin with good ingredients" However, we now recognize the need to consider not only quality but also the environment and human rights throughout the supply chain, and we are working on this together with their business partners.
Under the "Kewpie Group the fundamental policy for sustainable procurement," we have formulated the "Kewpie Group Supplier Guidelines" as a guideline for our business partners. Going forward, we will strive to reduce human rights risks in the supply chain through surveys of our suppliers and continued communication.
Promotion of Sustainable Procurement
キユーピーグループ サプライヤーガイドライン（638KB） Kewpie Group Supplier Guidelines (271KB)
Addressing customer harassment
Kewpie Group aims to contribute to the food and health of people around the world through "great taste, empathy, and uniqueness," and strives to be the most trusted company by our customers and other stakeholders.
On the other hand, some customers make unreasonable demands or engage in behavior that goes beyond what is considered socially acceptable, infringing on employees' human rights and negatively impacting the workplace environment.
To respect the human rights of our customers and employees and to live up to the trust of our customers, we have established a "Basic Policy on Customer Harassment."