External evaluation

Stock indexes developed jointly by U.S.-based S&P Dow Jones Indices and Switzerland-based RobecoSAM. The indexes analyze corporate activities based on economic, environmental, and social factors and select companies with outstanding sustainability performance.
Kao has been selected for the DJSI World and DJSI Asia Pacific indexes in 2008, 2009, and every year since 2014.

Index developed by FTSE Russell, a unit of the London Stock Exchange Group. Companies that satisfy its environment, social, and governance standards are selected for the index. Kao has been continuously selected for the index since 2008.

Indexes developed by U.S.-based MSCI. Companies with excellent environment, social, governance (ESG) ratings are selected for the indexes. Renamed from MSCI ESG Sustainability indexes. Kao was selected for the indexes in 2017.

The Belgium-based non-profit Forum Ethibel selects companies that demonstrate strong performance in socially responsible investing (SRI) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Kao has been continuously selected for the index since 2007.

Index released by NYSE Euronext (USA) and ESG research and service provider Vigeo Eiris (France/UK). The index is composed of the 120 highest-ranking companies in terms of environment, social, and governance in the European, North American, and Asia-Pacific regions. Kao was selected for the index in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018.

Based in Luxembourg and Milan, ECPI provides investment and sustainability advisory services. ECPI maintains indexes for individual industries, regions, and themes that are composed of global companies whose CSR activities satisfy certain standards. Kao has been continuously selected for the index since 2007.

Index developed by FTSE Russell, a wholly owned company of the London Stock Exchange Group. The index is created using the ESG assessment model of FTSE Russell based on existing international standards including the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Kao was selected for the index in 2017.

Index by U.S.-based MSCI. Companies with outstanding Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) assessments are selected from among the MSCI Japan IMI Top 500 Index. Kao was selected for the index in 2017.

Morningstar selects 150 companies rated as outstanding for their efforts in corporate governance, the environment, social responsibility and human capital utilization from among approximately 4,000 listed companies in Japan, and converts their stock prices into a socially responsible investment index. Kao has been continuously selected for the index since it was created in 2003.

The UK-based international non-governmental organization promotes climate change and other initiatives in the area of the environment. The CDP requests disclosure of information on how leading companies and cities around the world are taking action on issues such as climate change and water management, and conducts surveys and evaluations. In 2017, Kao received the highest grade of A for supply chain engagement, and a high grade of A- in the areas of climate change, water, forests (wood) and forests (palm oil).

Each year, the U.S.-based think tank Ethisphere Institute announces its list of the World's Most Ethical Companies in recognition of companies' outstanding performance in the areas of transparency, sincerity, ethics and compliance. Kao has been continuously selected for the list since it was created in 2007.

Switzerland-based RobecoSAM, a world-leading investment specialist focused on sustainability, conducts the sustainability rating. Kao was selected for the Bronze Class in the 2018 assessment.

Germany-based oekom research AG is a sustainable investment rating agency that evaluates corporate responsibility based on environmental and social and governance criteria. Kao has been rated as Prime since 2006.

France-based EcoVadis is a collaborative platform for assessing and monitoring the sustainability of suppliers. Kao was rated for the Gold in the 2018 assessment.

Starting in 2013, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has selected companies for this project that empower diverse human resources to exercise their talents in the value creations process, for the purpose of expanding the base for companies engaging in diversity management. Kao was selected for this project in 2013, the year it was established.

Special recognition by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Certification is awarded for creating a supportive workplace for employees with children, in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-generation Children. Kao received Kurumin certification in 2007 and 2009, and Platinum Kurumin certification in 2016.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange jointly select and release a list of companies that have made outstanding achievements in advancing women's participation in the workplace, including providing an environment that facilitates women continuing and advancing their careers. Kao has been selected for the Nadeshiko Brand list in its inaugural year of FY 2012 as well as in FY 2014 and FY 2017.

As part of the Japan Revitalization Strategy, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange Selected jointly announce companies selected for strategically working from a management perspective to manage the health of employees and others as Health and Productivity Stock Selection Corporations. Kao has continued to be selected for this program since it began in 2015.

Kao was recognized jointly by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi in the Health and Productivity Management Organization Recognition Program in the large enterprise category (White 500) for practicing outstanding health and productivity management working together with insurers. Kao has continued to be selected for this program since it was established in 2017.

The Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) rates and selects outstanding companies using its own rating system for their initiatives to promote the health of employees, and sets financing criteria based on the DBJ Employees' Health Management Rating, the world's first financing menu incorporating employee health management ratings. Kao received the highest rating in 2012, when the rating system was introduced, and in 2016.