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Respect for Human Rights
SocietyPolicy and Issues Concerning Human Rights
In accordance with the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® approach, we respect the human rights of every individual stakeholder in every country and region. The "YKK AP Human Rights Policy" was formulated in line with the revision of the "YKK Group Human Rights Policy." YKK AP has set out its own Human Rights Policy that, while sharing the fundamentals of the YKK Group policy, takes into account human rights related to YKK AP's business activities. Accordingly, we will further strengthen our efforts to fulfill our corporate social responsibility by appealing not only to our employees but also our business partners.
Structure and Initiatives to Promote Human Rights
We require not only our own employees but also our business partners involved in our products and services to comply with both the "YKK Group Human Rights Policy" and the "YKK AP Human Rights Policy" and promote our stated efforts. We also strengthen further our efforts the "YKK Group Code of Conduct" and the Materiality (priority issues) by including "respect for human rights."
Human Rights Working Group takes the lead to promote internal understanding
The Human Rights Working Group (WG) established within the Compliance Committee is taking the lead to promote understanding of the current situation through assessment of new human rights risks and evaluating their level of importance and severity, and also conducting video training on "Business and Human Rights" to raise awareness of human rights and promote understanding within the company.
Reviews and impact assessments relating to human rights
By assessing new human rights risks, the Human Rights WG is working to ascertain the current situation and evaluate these risks' importance and severity.
In FY2023, we conducted human rights risk assessment consultations with employees in Japan (YKK AP (nonconsolidated)), in FY2024, we held consultations with employees at affiliated companies in Japan and overseas, and in FY2025, we plan to complete consultations at all YKK AP Group companies.
The results of assessments conducted thus far have identified "long working hours," "harassment," "work-related accidents," and "leakage of personal information" as issues in Japan, while "long working hours" and "harassment" are also concerns overseas. We have established a governance system for these matters and have defined preventive and corrective measures to reduce risks, as well as conducting YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC) audits.
In addition to the risks identified in the human rights impact assessment, we are also pursuing zero-tolerance initiatives in the areas of "child labor," "forced labor," and "emergency planning and fire safety."
Respect for human rights in the supply chain
As part of its corporate social responsibility, YKK AP promotes initiatives to respect human rights not only within the company but also throughout its entire supply chain. We request that our business partners comply with the "YKK AP Human Rights Policy" and conclude agreements regarding our "Basic Transaction Principles," which clearly stipulate compliance with laws and regulations and fair transactions to promote CSR procurement. Thereby, we are promoting human rights due diligence initiatives.
In FY2024, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 111 major Japanese suppliers, incorporating external expertise and taking into account risk factors commonly found in supply chains. The survey results will be analyzed in order to implement prevention and mitigation measures.
We will expand the scope of the survey to include the suppliers of Japanese and overseas affiliated companies.
Establishment of business partner consultation and reporting channel
If it becomes apparent that a YKK AP business, product or service has caused or contributed to a negative impact on the human rights of anyone affected by that business, product or service, YKK AP will deal with the concerned persons in good faith and work to correct the corporate activities that were the cause of the issue. Furthermore, if it becomes clear that there is a direct relation between a YKK AP business, product or service and a negative impact on human rights, or if such a relation is suspected, we will strive to remedy the situation by communicating with the related party. We will work to build systems by which we can receive the concerns and complaints of stakeholders and strive to solve problems or implement remedies. These systems will include internal and external communication channels by which people who have, or may have, suffered negative impacts to their human rights can communicate with our company.
