Basic Approach

NICHINO Group positions respect for human rights as one of the most important management issues for the sustainable promotion of business. We respect the internationally recognized human rights of all people and conduct business activities in accordance with the United Nations’ “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” and “Ten Principles of the Global Compact.” We will fulfill our responsibility to respect the human rights of all stakeholders involved in the Group’s business activities.

Human Rights Management Promotion System

Within the Group, the President and Representative Director is responsible for overseeing human rights management, and the Division Manager of the Administration Division is responsible for implementing and promoting it. In addition, we have established a Human Rights Subcommittee as an advisory body to the Sustainability Committee (Chairperson: General Manager of the Human Resources Department).

Human Rights Policy

In FY2023, the Group expanded upon its existing Basic Human Rights Policy by formulating the “NICHINO Group Human Rights Policy,” which complies with the United Nations’ “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.” The policy was approved by the Board of Directors of Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd. on April 23, 2024, after consultations with external experts and the Nihon Nohyaku Labor Union.

• Please refer to the Nichino Group Human Rights Policy for more details.
• Please refer to the Sustainability Basic Policy for more details.

Human Rights Due Diligence

With the aim of promoting human rights management in our business activities, NICHINO Group drives initiatives to conduct human rights due diligence that complies with the United Nations’ “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”

1) Identification of negative impacts on business and human rights (human rights violation risk)
We identify human rights violation risks based on the various risks identified through our risk management activities and the results of workplace discussions amongst all employees regarding human rights risks, as well as various government documents related to business and human rights (*1), exchanges of opinions with labor unions, and interviews with external experts.
*1: National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 2020), Guidelines on Respect for Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains (Policy Promotion and Liaison Conferences of Related Ministries and Agencies 2022) If a human rights violation risk resulting from the business activities of NICHINO Group becomes apparent, we will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders and take appropriate corrective measures.

2) Implementation of education and training
The Group conducts awareness-raising activities for officers and employees to ensure that they correctly understand and recognize respect for human rights. Specifically, in FY2023, we conducted human rights training and workplace discussions amongst all employees, encouraged employees to attend external seminars related to human rights management, conducted compliance training twice a year, distributed a monthly e-mail newsletter on compliance to all employees, and other initiatives.

3) Development of internal environment and systems
The Group creates a work environment that is free from long working hours, discrimination, and prejudice, which are all factors that pose the risk of human rights violation and operates the personnel system fairly.

4) Ensuring human rights throughout the supply chain (Partial revisions from the current website)
The Group comprehensively promotes human rights initiatives throughout the supply chain from the perspective of sustainable procurement.

• For more information, please see: Technology and Product Development

Ensuring human rights throughout the supply chain

We comprehensively promote human rights initiatives throughout the supply chain from the perspective of sustainable procurement.

Relief Mechanisms

Nihon Nohyaku, its domestic Group companies, and its major overseas Group companies have established the whistleblowing system for all officers and employees. Going forward, we will work to establish a relief desk that will be available to all stakeholders both inside and outside the company, including customers.

Dialogue with Stakeholders

In implementing this policy, the Group engages in dialogue and consultation with stakeholders. At the labor-management council meeting held in February 2024, we held discussions with labor unions, one of our most important stakeholders, to formulate a human rights policy. In addition, at the labor-management council meeting held in August 2024, we discussed human rights management (progress in due diligence).

Information Disclosure

The Group conducts appropriate information disclosure regarding our human rights management initiatives on the sustainability section of our website and in the Sustainability Report.