The TOKAI Group Basic Policy on Respect for Human Rights

In April 2011, TOKAI Holdings Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“the TOKAI Group,” hereafter) established TOKAI-WAY as the philosophy of the TOKAI Group with management and employees working together. TOKAI-WAY comprises four layers: Corporate Philosophy, Mission, Vision and Values. The officers and employees of the TOKAI Group endeavor to share and put into practice TOKAI-WAY, and are committed to further strengthening the TOKAI Group’s collective strengths in a social environment of globalization, delivering a wide range of lifestyle- and community-based services.

The TOKAI Group recognizes that in respecting the human rights of all people affected by its own business activities, working in accordance with international standards of conduct, including the International Bill of Human Rights, the ILO*1 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (“UN Guiding Principles,” hereafter) forms the basis for all of these activities.

Accordingly, as a member of the international community the TOKAI Group recognizes the importance of respecting human rights and hereby declares that it will respect the fundamental human rights of all people affected by the business activities of the TOKAI Group.

By putting this policy into practice, the TOKAI Group will raise awareness of human rights among its officers and employees, and contribute to the sustainability of society by continuing with management and business activities that demonstrate respect for human rights.

※*1　ILO（International Labour Organization）

An international body with authority to set and handle international labor standards

  • Scope of Application

    • This policy applies to the officers and employees of the TOKAI Group. In addition, the TOKAI Group also asks its business partners and other related parties for their understanding and cooperation in respecting the policy.

  • Responsibility to Respect Human Rights

    • The TOKAI Group supports and respects international norms concerning human rights, including the UN International Bill of Human Rights, which stipulates the fundamental human rights*2 of all people, and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. In addition, the TOKAI Group endeavors to put the UN Guiding Principles into practice. In keeping with them, the TOKAI Group avoids causing or furthering negative impacts on human rights through its activities, and takes action when such negative impacts arise. In addition, even if the TOKAI Group is found not to be furthering such impacts, if there is found to be a negative impact on the human rights of people directly connected with corporate business activities, products or services through a business partner of the TOKAI Group, the TOKAI Group will fulfill its responsibility to respect human rights by making every effort to prevent or mitigate such an impact.

    *2　Fundamental human rights refers to the fundamental (civil, cultural, economic, political and social) rights that all people of all countries should enjoy, and are made up of the 30 articles stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Negative impacts on fundamental human rights include the following examples.

    • At a workplace or business partner, etc., engaging in discriminatory language or behavior, acts of violence, sexual harassment, power harassment, other harassment, invasions of privacy, or conduct injuring personal dignity through slander or libel, etc.;
    • Discriminating against a stakeholder, including an employee, on the basis of nationality, race, skin color, age, gender, sexual orientation, creed, religion, language, social background, economic background, employment or occupation, disability, pregnancy, indigenous origin, membership in a labor union, political affiliation or political views, marital status, family situation, personal relationships, illness or state of health
    • A supplier operating production activities through child labor, forced labor or slave labor
    • Impeding employees' freedom of association and collective bargaining rights
    • Releasing pollutants from a production plant and harming the health of local residents, and other negative impacts on human rights.

  • Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations

    • The TOKAI Group will comply with the applicable laws and regulations of each country and region in which it conducts business.
    However, when directly faced with requests that contravene the laws or regulations of each country or region, we will pursue ways to respect internationally recognized human rights principles.

  • Safe and Healthy Workplace Environment

    • The TOKAI Group recognizes that the occupational safety and health of its officers and employees is a top priority. Accordingly, we ensure thorough compliance with occupational health and safety laws and endeavor to secure and encourage workplace environments that are safe and healthy.

  • Human Rights Due Diligence

    • To fulfill its responsibility to respect human rights, the TOKAI Group will develop a human rights due diligence system based on the UN Guiding Principles and continuously implement it.

  • Corrective Actions

    • If it is found that the TOKAI Group has caused or encouraged negative impacts on human rights, it will take appropriate measures to correct the situation.

  • Dialogue and Discussion

    • In its initiatives regarding respect for human rights set forth in this policy, the TOKAI Group will follow the provisions of the UN Guiding Principles and continue to engage in dialogue and discussion with experts and stakeholders.

  • Information Disclosures, Education and Training

    • The TOKAI Group will report on its efforts to respect human rights based on this policy on its website and through other media.
    In addition, to ensure that the policy takes root, the TOKAI Group will provide appropriate education and training to its officers and employees.

  • Whistleblowing Helpline

    • The TOKAI Group will establish mechanisms to appropriately deal with internal reports including reports of legal and regulatory violations, and establish a whistleblowing helpline to quickly discover and take corrective action with respect to legal and regulatory violations and practice compliance management. In addition, the whistleblowing helpline will also field consultations and reports concerning human rights violations, with the aim of preventing human rights violations, or detecting, correcting and remedying violations at an early stage.

Established: May 25, 2023
TOKAI Holdings Corporation
Representative Director, President and CEO
Katsuo Oguri