Respect for Human Rights

Policy 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.

See YKK AP Human Rights Policy for more details.

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".

Establishing a Human Rights Working Group to Promote Internal Understanding

The Human Rights Working Group (WG) established within the Compliance Committee is promoting 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.

Initiatives and targets for "respect for human rights" in Materiality

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.

YKK Group Business Partner Consultation and Reporting Channel - Complaints and consultations related to human rights - can be found here.

Reviews and Impact Assessments Relating to Human Rights

We are conducting human rights impact assessments for employees in Japan. In accordance with the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC), the YKK Group's compliance standards based on ISO 26000, human rights risks were identified by mapping an assessment of severity and likelihood of occurrence for each human rights issue. Based on the results of the assessment, we have established a governance system and preventive and corrective measures to reduce risks related to "long working hours," "discrimination," "harassment," "workplace accidents," and "leakage of personal information," and are stepping up our efforts accordingly.

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."