Twelfth year Kao named World's Most Ethical Companies

Kao Corporation has been recognized as one of the 2018 World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, a U.S. think tank that specializes in research on corporate ethics and social responsibility, on February 12, 2018. Kao is the only Japanese company that has received this recognition for twelve straight years since the award's inception in 2007.

The World's Most Ethical Companies is an annual recognition bestowed on companies that have achieved significant results for corporate transparency, fairness, ethics and compliance. The institute has surveyed and evaluated companies the world over in five categories: ethics and compliance program, corporate citizenship and responsibility, culture of ethics, governance and leadership, innovation and reputation.

Michitaka Sawada, President and CEO commented: "We are honored to be recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for 12 consecutive years. As we continue to offer a wide array of innovative products to the market, our commitment to Integrity has never wavered since we began the business 130 years ago. I must impress upon everyone that compliance is the cornerstone of our company's existence that is in a variety of business fields. This Integrity continues to be embraced in Kao's daily business activities in a culture of openness."

Kao advocates Integrity as the foundation of long term success. This core value, inherited from the founder, indicates that it is committed to abiding by laws and ethical principles to engage in honest and healthy corporate activities. This core value is applied in daily business practice through the Kao Business Conduct Guidelines, and instills the concept of Integrity in all Kao employees through training programs that incorporate the characteristics and case studies of individual countries.

"Kao is the only company in Japan that we have honored on the World's Most Ethical Companies list every year since the award's inception," said Ethisphere's Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. "It underscores their commitment to integrity that is in tune with changes in expectations of society. We hope Kao will continue to engage in business with integrity and lead their industry across the globe in advancing ethical standards and practices."

The Kao Group will continue to pursue its Mission of contributing to the wholehearted satisfaction and enrichment of the lives of people globally, and to the sustainability of society. Investing to create positive impact to the environment and society with sound governance (ESG) - the three elements that contribute to the formation of a sustainable society, will continue to be our priority.