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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.
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Responsibly Sourced Raw Materials
At Kao, we drive efforts to ensure traceability and conduct ESG supplier surveys in order to know with certainty that there are no human rights violations occurring throughout the supply chain.
Through dialogue with our suppliers, we strive to establish a sustainable supply chain. This is evident in our ethically-driven, fair and equitable procurement. -
Supplier Evaluations Based on Partnership Requirements for Suppliers
We have established requirements in areas such as legality and ethicality, human rights and labor, and sustainability, and commit to favoring procurement from partners that comply with these requirements. This includes the establishment of a diverse and inclusive working environment.
Through evaluations by Sedex and supplier assessments, we request that our partners drive efforts to meet these requirements, including initiatives in human rights and DE&I. -
Independent Oil Palm Smallholders Assistance (SMILE Program)
SMILE is a program in which Kao, Apical Group, and Asian Agri support 5,000 independent oil palm smallholders in Indonesia improve their yields and acquire certification for sustainable palm (RSPO) over the 11-year period spanning from 2020 to 2030. The RSPO certification evaluates key human rights and DE&I factors such as fair trade and treatment. By supporting the acquisition of this certificate, we contribute to improving the safety and QOL of workers, while raising the standard of living in the communities. We will continue to strive towards a sustainable supply chain and fair society.
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Grievance Mechanism
The Kao Grievance Mechanism, in collaboration with Caux Round Table Japan (CRT Japan Committee), a non-profit organization that supports corporate initiatives in human rights, is a grievance mechanism for independent oil palm smallholders in Indonesia across Kao’s supply chain.
The grievance mechanism is designed to comprehensively process claims and inquiries received from smallholders, from their investigation to addressing and resolving them as well as follow-up and reporting. Through this, we aim to resolve essential social and environmental issues, with a strong focus on human rights and DE&I. We are working to expand the program to more plantations and wider areas, in order to give more people a voice.
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, the Toyohashi Plant provides an opportunity to celebrate wins together, by recognizing performance and acts of kindness through MVP 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, including interviews with those who have come to Japan to work, where necessary. In 2022, Caux Round Table Japan (CRT Japan Committee) conducted interviews with technical intern trainees and members of management of our partner agencies. The interviews revealed that the agencies provide good support for their employees, both in their private and working lives. At the Toyohashi plant, interviews were conducted in person with foreign employees and managers from 3 partnering agencies. CRT’s evaluation was positive, citing that fair and living wages were being paid and good relationships had been formed with the local Japanese employees. It reminded us of the importance of grievance mechanisms to ensure that those in vulnerable positions such as technical intern trainees are supported and heard.
Targets
- 100% completion of Sedex response by suppliers by 2025
- 100% completion of traceability of oil palm smallholders by 2025
- We seek to procure 100% RSPO certified palm oil used by Kao Group by 2025
- Support oil palm smallholders during period 2021~2030 (approx. 5,000/plantation size: approx. 18,000 hectares)
- Launch grievance mechanism for independent oil palm smallholders in Indonesia by 2022
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- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Our Business Partners
- Home
- Sustainability
- Walking the Right Path
- Inclusive & Diverse Workplaces
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Our Business Partners