Message

近藤 美穂

Operating Officer;
Manager, Sustainability
Promotion Department, and
Legal and Intellectual Property
Department, and Environmental
Management Department,
Corporate Center

Miho Kondo

Aiming to increase corporate value, keeping in mind our coexistence with society

In promoting sustainability-oriented management, we believe it is vital to create new value together with all our stakeholders. To this end, we recently formulated our Multi-stakeholder Policy. Under this Policy, we aim to co-exist in harmony with all our stakeholders and appropriately allocate the earnings gained through our business activities.

Achieving our CO2 emissions reduction target one year ahead of schedule

We have set a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 12% of 2021 levels (equivalent to a 30% reduction from 2013 levels) by 2024, as part of our efforts for “promoting management for decarbonization (climate action measures)” one of the six material issues (materiality) of Okura Industrial Group. We achieved this target in 2023, one year ahead of schedule. We will continue to work towards carbon neutrality by installing equipment that is highly effective in reducing CO2 emissions and pursuing initiatives throughout the supply chain. With regard to “further promoting resource recycling measures”, we are currently working with customers to consider schemes for the commercialization of chemical recycling, in addition to the mechanical recycling of film products. In relation to “creating and expanding Environmental Contribution Products”, we expect to achieve our target of expanding the percentage of net sales of Environmental Contribution Products to at least 50% of sales in the living support category by 2024.

Progress on other materiality

As part of “promoting CSR procurement”, we are engaged in establishing and operating a mechanism of raw material procurement conscious of human rights, the environment, etc. As part of “gaining a competitive advantage by promoting digital transformation (DX)”, we are improving productivity and reforming operations by introducing new digital technologies. As part of “conducting research and development geared to creating innovation”, we will formulate an intellectual property strategy for the Research & Development Center during 2024, based on what kind of value we want to provide to society in the next decade and what kind of resources are needed to provide that value.

Employees are key stakeholders

For Okura Industrial Group, our employees are our most familiar and important stakeholders. In view of factors such as rising prices, we implemented a base salary rise in 2023, and again in 2024. We revised the education system in 2022, and have launched new training programs. Moreover, starting in 2024, we have introduced a new personnel evaluation system to help employees deepen their understanding of factors such as the roles expected of them by the Company through interviews with their supervisors. Based on the philosophy of connecting that the growth of each employee will lead to the growth of the company, we are striving to develop work-friendly workplaces where employees are motivated to work. We expect that initiatives such as these will provide employees with opportunities to consider their own career design.

Sustainability Initiatives

Okura Industrial Group believes aiming to contribute to the creation of a society which can ensure sustainable development will lead to the Group’s sustained growth and increase in medium- and long-term corporate value.
With the CSR Policy of “Continue to be a company that is trusted by society”, we have conducted the business operation focusing on E (environment), S (social), and G (governance) in the changing social environment. Going forward, we will promote proactive activities in which management strategies center on sustainability, based on materiality, material issues for the provision of solutions through business which were identified in 2020, as well as bases for business continuity (OKURA Business base).

Philosophy System

Management Philosophy

  • Respect the Individual

    We will respect the human rights of each individual and devote our efforts to creating a safe, comfortable, and lively workplace.

    Sustainability Policy

    Aim for corporate growth through business, keeping in mind our coexistence with society, so that we may continue to be a company that is trusted by society

    Sustainability Basic Principles

    • 1. Balance between business and ESG Under our management philosophy, we will aim at sustained social development and an increase in medium- and long-term corporate value by conducting business operation focusing on ESG in the changing social environment.

    • 2. Conservation of the global environment The Group will contribute to conservation of the global environment through business activities, taking into account climate changes and other global environment issues, and providing products and service toward realization of a carbon-free society.

    • 3. Compliance with laws and regulations, respect for human rights, and consideration of the labor environment In all business activities, the Group will comply with laws, regulations, and social norms, respect human rights, value each worker with diversity including gender, internationality, career, and age, and promote human resource development, improvement of labor environment, and contribution to local communities and society.

    • 4. Information disclosure and dialogue In relation to progress in initiatives for sustainability in its own business activities, the Group will proactively disclose information, and reflect social evaluation received through dialogue with stakeholders in management.

  • Contributing to the Society

    We will contribute to a safe and comfortable life through our products and services, and actively engage in social contribution activities as a good corporate citizen.

    Mottos

    Action guideline for supporting business activities

    • Improving everyday

      Each of us is to remain conscious of the need for improvement, set their own goals, and work to develop their abilities.

    • Creativity and ingenuity

      We will employ new viewpoints and ideas to improve, innovate, and develop products and services without preconceived notions.

    • Harmonious cooperation

      We will each endeavor to communicate our goals and ideas to one another, value dialog, build trust, and resolve issues by considering total optimization.

  • Customers First

    We will continue to provide products and services which our customers need in adapting to changes in the environment, and will grow our solution business with them.

    Okura Industrial Code of Ethics

    Continue to be a company that is trusted by society

    Seven principles of action

    • 1. To provide goods and services allowing people to live in safety and comfort and to earn the trust of users and consumers.

    • 2. To realize the comfort and affluence for our employees, ensure a safe and comfortable working environment, and respect their personalities and individuality.

    • 3. To engage in fair, transparent, and free competition; to maintain clean and normal relationships with government and public administration.

    • 4. To proactively and honestly disclose corporate information and communicate with society at large in order to build good relationships with all stakeholders.

    • 5. To resolutely oppose antisocial forces and groups that threaten the order and safety of civil society.

    • 6. To voluntarily and proactively address environmental issues, recognizing that it is an essential condition for the existence and activities of a corporation.

    • 7. To conduct our overseas activities in ways that respect the local culture and customs and contribute to the development of the local society.

Materiality

At Okura Industrial Group, we have identified our materiality as issues to be truly addressed by evaluating the degree to which corporate activities impact business and social issues, and prioritizing them.

Steps for Promoting Identification of Materiality

  • STEP0

    Comprehension of relations of the Company’s own activities, products, and services with SDGs

    • Comprehend social value to be created by the Company’s current initiatives
    • Clarify SDGs to which the Company’s activities, products, and services contribute
  • STEP1

    Understanding about initiatives of competitors and consideration of the Company’s future initiatives

    • Consider issues to solve in environment, society, and corporation
    • Compare initiatives of competitors and those of the Company to identify future initiatives (activities)
  • STEP2

    Analysis of external environment of value chain and consideration on the Company’s future initiatives

    • Assume future social changes (future image) in terms of environment, society, and technology
    • Identify what value the Company will create in the assumed future image and extract future initiatives (activities)
  • STEP3

    Development of prospective materiality and activity themes

    • Summarize the activities extracted in Step 1 and 2, and extract prospective activity themes and materiality
  • STEP4

    Evaluation of importance of activity themes and identification of materiality

    • Consider business value and social value for each activity theme
    • Evaluate importance for each activity theme, and identify the Company’s materiality (material issues)

Materiality of Okura Industrial Group

  • Promoting management for decarbonization(climate action measures)

    KPICO₂ emissions from the Company/logistics
    • Reduce CO₂ emissions from the Company (plants and offices)
    • Increase efficiency in logistics (shipping) and reduce CO₂ emissions therefrom
    • 7 エネルギーをみんなにそしてクリーンに
    • 11 住み続けられるまちづくりを
    • 13 気候変動に具体的な対策を

  • Further promoting resource recycling measures

    KPISales of products using waste plastics recovered from a market and recycled
    • Reduce waste from plants largely
    • Reduce marine plastics
      Recover waste materials after use, and promote recycling
    • 9 産業と技術革新の基盤をつくろう
    • 12 つくる責任つかう責任
    • 14 海の豊かさを守ろう
    • 15 陸の豊かさも守ろう

  • Creating and expanding Environmental Contribution Products

    KPIPercentage of net sales of Environmental Contribution Products in the living support category
    • Develop a mechanism of creating environmental contributing products and set medium- and long-term targets
    • Develop and sell products with excellent functionality
    • 9 産業と技術革新の基盤をつくろう
    • 12 つくる責任つかう責任
    • 13 気候変動に具体的な対策を
    • 14 海の豊かさを守ろう
    • 15 陸の豊かさも守ろう

  • Promoting CSR procurement

    KPIEstablishment of a sustainable procurement system and management of investigation results
    • Establish and operate a mechanism of raw material procurement conscious about human rights, etc.
    • Establish and operate a mechanism of raw material procurement conscious about environment (green procurement)
    • 8 働きがいも経済成長も
    • 12 つくる責任つかう責任
    • 14 海の豊かさを守ろう
    • 15 陸の豊かさも守ろう

  • Gaining a competitive advantage by promoting digital transformation (DX)

    KPIEnhancement of quality inspection with IT/AI technologies
    • Improve productivity and reform operations by introducing new digital technologies
    • Make sales activities and marketing more sophisticated
    • Pursue higher quality and safer products
    • 8 働きがいも経済成長も
    • 9 産業と技術革新の基盤をつくろう

  • Conducting research and development geared to creating innovation

    KPINumbers of development themes and patent applications
    • Strengthen marketing leading to creation of new business
    • Use open innovations proactively
    • 8 働きがいも経済成長も
    • 9 産業と技術革新の基盤をつくろう
    • 17 パートナーシップで目標を達成しよう

Bases for Business Continuity (OKURA Business base)

In addition, we have set four items, “Thorough prevention of contamination”, “Developing working environment where employees are motivated to work”, “Coexistence with local communities”, and “Improving corporate reliability and transparency”, as essential bases for Okura Industrial Group to continue doing business. As with the materiality, we will promote proactive initiatives.

  • Improving corporate reliability and transparency

    KPINumbers of compliance violations and administrative disciplinary actions
    • Disclose ESG information proactively
    • Promote dialogue with stakeholders
    • Develop internal control/compliance systems
    • Identify risks and brush up business continuity plan (BCP)
    • 16 平和と公正をすべての人に
    • 17 パートナーシップで目標を達成しよう

  • Thorough prevention of contamination

    KPINumber of violations of domestic laws and regulations
    • Manage hazardous chemical substances appropriately
    • Reduce water use and manage water resources appropriately
    • 3 すべての人に健康と福祉を
    • 6 安全な水とトイレを世界中に
    • 12 つくる責任つかう責任
    • 14 海の豊かさを守ろう

  • Coexistence with local communities

    KPINumbers of social contribution activities and participants in them
    • Promote volunteer activities and regional environmental conservation activities
    • Participate in businesses to solve regional issues or to revitalize a region
    • Use regional resources proactively
    • 11 住み続けられるまちづくりを
    • 14 海の豊かさを守ろう
    • 15 陸の豊かさも守ろう
    • 17 パートナーシップで目標を達成しよう

  • Developing working environment where employees are motivated to work

    KPIRatios of female executives and female managers
    • Realize diversity management
    • Increase productivity and realize a good work-life balance through work style reform
    • Establish a personnel evaluation system that allows people to have a sense of job satisfaction and enhance a human resource development system
    • Strengthen occupational safety and health
    • 3 すべての人に健康と福祉を
    • 4 質の高い教育をみんなに
    • 5 ジェンダー平等を実現しよう
    • 8 働きがいも経済成長も
    • 10 人や国の不平等をなくそう
    • 16 平和と公正をすべての人に
  • Environment
  • Social
  • Governance

Sustainability Promotion System

Okura Industrial Group regards solutions to sustainability-related issues for society and companies as business opportunities. The issues include addressing climate change and other problems affecting the global environment, respect for human rights, and fair and appropriate business activities for all stakeholders, including employees. Accordingly, in April 2021, the Group established the Sustainability Committee, into which the CSR Committee was modified, and the Sustainability Promotion Department as a section in charge of formulating a basic plan related to ESG activities to promote the initiatives. The Committee is chaired by the Director, Executive Operating Officer who is in charge of promoting sustainability and made up of Directors and Operating Officers. Among them, Outside Directors are included. Thereby, whether or not the Group’s ESG activities are consistent with social trends is checked from an objective perspective to promote the activities. In 2023, the Committee met twice, shared materiality identified by the Group and medium- and long-term issues recognized in relation to bases for business continuity (OKURA Business base), and discussed and decided measures for solving those issues.
Further, the Compliance Committee has been established to manage compliance for the Group. It coordinates with the Compliance Action Committee, its working unit, which conducts activities to raise awareness and responds to whistleblowing disclosures. Under such systems, we proactively disclose information on situation of the initiatives to stakeholders, and push ahead with various activities, continuously improving them.

Number of meetings of the Sustainability Committee each year

2021 2022 2023
2 times 4 times
（including 2 extraordinary meeting）		 2 times

Sustainability promotion System

External Evaluation

Evaluation by CDP

In 2022, Okura Industrial received and responded to its first-ever request to participate in a climate change questionnaire from CDP, an international not-for-profit organization that provides environmental disclosure systems. In 2023, we responded to two questionnaires on climate change and water security, receiving the scores shown below.

2023 CDP scores

Category Score
Climate Change B
Water Security B

Participation in Initiatives

Response to the TCFD Recommendations

In February 2022, Okura Industrial declared our endorsement of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations and participated in the TCFD Consortium, which comprises companies and financial institutions that endorse the recommendations. We consider addressing climate change to be an urgent issue. We will promote initiatives aimed at a carbon-free society and expend our information disclosures regarding our actions.

Information Disclosures Based on the TCFD Recommendations

Endorsing the GX League Basic Concept and participating in the GX League

The GX League was established as a forum for companies that aim for sustained growth by engaging in green transformation (GX) to work together with a like-minded group of companies, as well as organizations in the government and academic spheres.
Okura Industrial endorsed the GX League Basic Concept in January 2023 and joined the GX League in May 2023.

Joining the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) and endorsing the JCI Message

The Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) is a network of Japanese companies, municipalities, NGOs and other organizations that endorse the JCI Declaration, “Joining the front line of the global push for decarbonization from Japan” and actively engage in climate change countermeasures. It aims to strengthen communication and exchange.
Okura Industrial joined the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) and endorsed the JCI Message in April 2023.