Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Our Business Partners

Kao will build a sustainable supply chain by sharing values and cooperating with all business partners involved in Yoki-Monozukuri. Building upon the foundation of respecting human rights, we will drive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Actions

SMILE Program

We are committed to respecting human rights and strive for equity across our supply chains.
Our actions include the SMILE (SMallholder Inclusion for better Livelihood & Empowerment) Program carried out in Indonesia.

Sharing a Workplace
We drive efforts together with our partners who work with us in our manufacturing plants – our colleagues in Yoki-Monozukuri.
For example, at some of our manufacturing plants we create opportunities to celebrate wins together, by recognizing performance and acts of kindness through awards where everyone who works at the plant is a potential nominee. The internal newsletter announcing the winners are published in multiple languages to allow non-Japanese speakers access to the same information.

Additionally, risk assessments are conducted regularly in order to protect the human rights of everyone who operates in Kao’s supply chain. In particular, we conduct interviews with those who have come to Japan to work. We conduct interviews with the non-Japanese employees and members of management of on-site subcontractors to understand the safety of workplaces, wages, state of communications between non-Japanese employees and their employers/co-workers, and living environment.

Targets

  • 100% completion of ESG survey on suppliers (Sedex, Kao-SAQ or alternative organization) by 2025
  • Achieve 100% traceability down to the oil palm plantation level by 2025.
  • Aim to procure 100% RSPO-certified palm oil used by the Kao Group by 2025.
  • Provide assistance for independent oil palm smallholders to improve productivity and secure sustainable palm oil certification (RSPO in Indonesia from 2020 to 2030
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