Established on March 12, 2024

The Kawada Group (hereinafter referred to as the “Group”) has set as its social mission to create an environment where people can live safely and comfortably, guided by the group philosophy of “Creating a Safe, Comfortable, and Sustainable Society.” We have established this policy based on a belief that our commitment to respecting human rights, in accordance with international human rights norms based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, is essential to the realization of this group philosophy.

• 　The Group respects international human rights norms defined in the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

• 　This policy applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Group. We also expect that business partners, such as contractors, involved in the Group’s business activities, endorse this policy.

• 　The Group will establish a system of human rights due diligence and implement it on an ongoing basis. We will also identify any adverse impacts on human rights in our business activities and work to prevent or mitigate them.

• 　Should the Group directly or indirectly cause or contribute to adverse impacts on human rights, it will work to remedy and rectify them through appropriate means.

• 　The Group will conduct education and training for all directors, officers and employees in order to put this policy into practice throughout its business activities.

• 　In implementing this policy, the Group will engage in dialogue and discussions with relevant stakeholders regarding responses to any actual or potential negative impacts on human rights.

• 　The Group will disclose information on its initiatives under this policy on its website and by other means.

• 　The Group will appoint a director responsible for implementing this policy and promoting respect for human rights, ensuring its effectiveness.

Kawada Tadahiro
Representative Director and President

In accordance with our Human Rights Policy, the Group recognizes the following human rights issues as areas of significant social responsibility, and we promote initiatives to address and resolve these issues, and we to realize management that respects human rights.

• 　We do not tolerate any child labor, forced labor, or human trafficking, anywhere within the Group or along its supply chain.

• 　We do not engage in any form of discrimination, harassment, or other actions that infringe upon an individual’s human rights due to reasons including nationality, race, creed, religion, gender, age, disability, or place of origin.

• 　In addition to complying with relevant laws and regulations, we endeavor to establish, maintain, and improve a safe, sanitary, and healthy working environment by reviewing machinery and equipment, working hours, the way work is organized, and work processes as appropriate to ensure that none of these have adverse effects on employees. Furthermore, we appropriately provide employees with explanations of working conditions, education and training, and benefits.

• 　In addition to complying with relevant laws and regulations, we respect employees’ freedom of association and their right to collective bargaining.

• 　In addition to complying with relevant laws and regulations, we reduce excessive working hours. We also pay wages in excess of statutory minimum wages stipulated by relevant laws and regulations. Moreover, we support the principle of equal pay for equal work and strive to ensure that all employees shall receive fair and equitable wages in accordance with their job duties and abilities.

• 　Recognizing that compliance with laws and regulations and the protection of human rights are important not only within the Group but throughout the supply chain, we practice responsible procurement.

• 　The Group considers environmental conservation and climate change countermeasures to be important elements of its corporate activities. We take seriously the impact these have on human rights and work to ensure the establishment of a sustainable society.

• 　The Group prevents the improper granting of benefits, including bribery, and abuses of authority, such as coercion, and conducts its business operations in a highly transparent and ethical manner. We bolster employee training and oversight systems to prevent the occurrence of any form of corruption.

We have established a Group Compliance Committee as an organization directly reporting to the Board of Directors. Chaired by the officer responsible for compliance, who also sits on the Board of Directors, the committee consists of the general managers of general administration departments of the Group’s operating companies, the Company’s legal counsel, and members appointed by the Board of Directors. The committee meets on an annual basis in principle to discuss matters concerning the establishment and revision of compliance systems, such as respect for international norms related to human rights and the observance of laws and regulations. Based on these deliberations, the committee makes recommendations or reports to the Board of Directors. When needed, the committee may also meet on an ad hoc basis.

With the aim of preventing the occurrence of escalation of compliance-related issues and facilitating their early resolution, the Group has established an internal whistleblowing system accessible both inside and outside the Company whereby directors, officers and employees can directly report any actual or potential compliance violations they discover.
The whistleblowing system accepts reports via e-mail or telephone regarding any form of actual or potential compliance violation, including harassment and all types of corruption. Reports can be submitted anonymously, and the confidentiality of the reports and their content is guaranteed. From the perspective of whistleblower protection, we take strict measures to ensure that those who report concerns are not subjected to any adverse treatment.

The Group provides training on human rights to all directors, officers and employees, including managers, and non-regular employees, to deepen each employee’s understanding of our Human Rights Policy and enable them to carry out their business activities with respect for human rights.

New managers, in particular, receive training on harassment-related topics as part of their orientation programs. Specifically, we provide clear definitions and classifications of harassment through explanations and case studies, as well as thoroughly inform new managers of the appropriate approach to take when handling harassment complaints, the matters that should be confirmed with the complainant, and the procedures that must be followed when reporting to superiors and relevant departments.