2012
(Posted Oct. 2012)
Status of CSR Activities among Suppliers
Mr. Mizukami, CSR Consultant: I'd like to proceed with the dialogue by having each of the participating suppliers give an overview of their CSR activities.
Kyodo Yushi (Mr. Watanabe): As a grease and lubricants manufacturer, Kyodo Yushi aims to make a contribution to industry through the implementation of our spirit of Tribology (friction). This is the core of our social responsibility. We do not have a CSR framework, but we do operate the Tribology Study Group as a bridge between industry and academia, and we are promoting various initiatives in the areas of environmental management, energy-efficient products, employment of people with disabilities, and compliance.
Nichia (Mr. Akagi): At Nichia, our code of conduct promotes research, a thoughtful and industrious work ethic, and the creation of the world's best products. We have put great value on the continued creation of fine and elaborate products in Japan. One of our mottos is that companies which are not beloved by their suppliers will not endure. Based on that motto, we aim to expand together with collaborating companies and companies in our local community.
Porite (Mr. Ooshima): This year marks our 60th anniversary, and for the occasion we have established Employee Guiding Principles and a Porite Corporate Code of Conduct. Though we are making contributions to society through our business activities, there are human resource and financial limitations on what we can do in addition to that. We are expanding our business overseas and debating whether or not we can implement the principles and code of conduct at overseas offices. So, we have not yet disclosed them outside the company.
Fuji Print Industrial (Mr. Tomita): In May 2011, we established a new corporate philosophy and we are fulfilling our social responsibility by executing the philosophy. We have set goals to achieve with each of our stakeholder groups, and we have a very strong awareness of the importance of communication. For example, we hold regular social events with our suppliers, and our 10 major suppliers are all shareholders in our company, making it possible for us to better reflect their views in our management.
Mr. Mizukami: In order to achieve the goals you have set for each stakeholder group, have you established a CSR promotion committee or some other kind of organization to facilitate the activities?
Fuji Print Industrial (Mr. Tomita): We do not have any such organization. We do, however, hold a management policy conference at the start of each fiscal year at which the president, myself, and group managers explain the current year's CSR policies for each of their groups. Thereafter, we have monthly business conferences at which we report on the progress and outlook of measures. CSR is treated as one management issue and we review CSR measures using the PDCA cycle approach.
Sumitomo Metal Industries (Mr. Haga): At Sumitomo Metal Industries, we established a CSR Committee in 2010 with the president as the committee chair. In March 2011, we established a Corporate Philosophy and revised the Code of Conduct. We are now working to instill these within the company and the entire group. Our aim is to enhance our value through technology, quality, service and CSR, and we will continue to take measures to become a company trusted by society.
Mr. Mizukami: Was there a particular occasion for establishing the committee?
Sumitomo Metal Industries (Mr. Haga): There was nothing particular. But in the General Affairs Department, we believed that despite the fact that we were taking various CSR initiatives, it was hard for people in and outside the company to see the whole picture behind our CSR effort, and we decided this was something we should do properly.
Fujikura (Mr. Takimoto): At Fujikura, we established a structure for CSR initiatives in 2009. A CSR Committee was established, headed by our president, and working teams on "management," "society", and "environment" were set up. Each business group sets new priorities every three years and information is shared between the groups and the initiative promotion teams in each division and group companies to ensure progress is made on the initiatives.
Mr. Mizukami: Was there a particular occasion for establishing the structure?
Fujikura (Mr. Takimoto): Each year we receive about 30 survey requests from our customers concerning our CSR initiatives. We felt that we could not respond without a proper structure in place. In that sense, there was recognition in the company that it was time for us to establish a structure and take full-fledged measures.
Minebea (Mr. Imanaka): Are there any full-time members of the committee?
Fujikura (Mr. Takimoto): There is a full-time member in the Global Environment Division. I manage initiatives in the areas of management and society.
