Basic Policy on CSR

We at the Yakult Group will implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by generating tangible benefits in accordance with our corporate philosophy and realizing sustainable corporate growth. Specific CSR activities in accordance with this objective are articulated in our Basic Policy on CSR, which was established in April 2012.

By systemizing the CSR initiatives undertaken at Yakult Group units, we increase the clarity of Yakult’s CSR management policies and undertake appropriate disclosure of information to stakeholders.

Yakult Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct

We established the Yakult Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct to serve as guidelines for proper corporate activities.

Over time, we have appended more specific conduct standards and concrete examples of such standards while making revisions as needed. Most recently, we published the sixth edition in April 2020 to extensively update items and contents and discuss how each item of the Yakult Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct is connected to the SDGs.*

A pocketbook including the Yakult Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct has been distributed to employees so that they can easily refer to them at any time when they need to confirm a particular decision-making process.

* The Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, are 17 global goals aimed at achieving a better and more sustainable world for all by 2030.

Yakult Ethical
Principles & Code of Conduct

Sustainability governance

CSR Promotion Committee

The CSR Promotion Committee considers a wide range of management issues from the perspectives of the Yakult Group’s corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The Committee is chaired by the Divisional General Manager of the Management Support Division (a director and senior managing executive officer), and is made up of executive officers from each relevant department.
The CSR Promotion Committee focuses discussion on policies and action plans that address environmental and social issues, and promotes efforts to resolve them. Meeting results are reported to the President for appropriate guidance. Among the deliberated topics, committee procedure stipulates that the Management Policy Council, which includes directors and Audit & Supervisory Board Members, as well as the Executive Officers Committee and the Board of Directors, must be consulted regarding important CSR matters relating to management policy. Considerations are presented to the Executive Officers Committee as necessary.
The CSR Promotion Committee holds meetings approximately three times per year to discuss CSR promotion measures and policies, including climate change issues, and to manage progress. In fiscal 2022, the committee discussed the formulation of our Deforestation and Conversion Free (DCF) Commitment in relation to supply chain management and our response to the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). It also considered the progress and results of the CSR Action Plan and deliberated on future initiatives related to human rights due diligence.
We have also established five specialized committees as subordinate organizations to carry out specific activities within each department as a way to promote sustainability/CSR initiatives throughout the Group.

Revised: April 2015

Signing the UN Global Compact

In May 2021, the Yakult Group signed the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the UN’s international framework for sustainable growth.

The UNGC calls on companies and organizations to take part in solving global issues and provides a principle-based framework for healthy globalization and a sustainable society.

The Yakult Group’s top management is committed to supporting the 10 principles of the UNGC relating to human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption, and we will work with the global community to apply these principles in all of our business activities as a good corporate citizen that contributes to society.

The 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact (UNGC10)

Human Rights	Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
	Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour	Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
	Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
	Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
	Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment	Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
	Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
	Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti- Corruption	Principle 10:Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery