Nippon Shinyaku Group Human Rights Policy
Introduction
The Nippon Shinyaku Group embraces the Business Philosophy of helping people lead healthier, happier lives and aspires to build a meaningful existence in healthcare in Japan and the world over. To realize this vision, the Nippon Shinyaku Group has established its Human Rights Policy so as to fulfill the corporate responsibility of respecting human rights. The Human Rights Policy complements the Nippon Shinyaku Group Code of Conduct, which has been established as operational standards of action that all Nippon Shinyaku Group directors and employees must adopt in their corporate activities to meet society’s expectations and win society’s trust.This policy requests understanding and approval from not only the Nippon Shinyaku Group’s employees but also all business partners involved with our company.
1. Basic idea
The Nippon Shinyaku Group advocates the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in four areas as its signatory company and understands that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the principles concerning the fundamental rights in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work*1 define the minimum level of human rights that must be championed. The Group also conforms with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, respecting the human rights and dignity of all individuals in its business activities.
In addition, the Group adheres to the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki with regard to pharmaceutical research and development, acting with heightened ethical awareness and building a trust-based relationship with society.
2. Policy applicability
This Human Rights Policy applies to all Nippon Shinyaku Group directors and employees. The Group’s business partners and other related parties are also required to understand and support the policy.
3. Responsibility to respect human rights
We recognize respecting human rights as one of the important and fundamental requirements for business activities. We will never infringe the human rights of those under the impact of our business activities. If it is likely that our business activities are negatively affecting human rights, we will adopt appropriate improvement measures and fulfill our responsibility to respect human rights.
4. Legal compliance
We comply with the laws and regulations of each country or region where we operate and respect internationally recognized human rights. If we receive any request that could lead to the infringement of human rights, we will seek methods of upholding the principle of internationally recognized human rights.
5. Prohibition of discrimination
We respect the human rights and personalities of all individuals and value diversity among them. We prohibit harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, thought or belief, sexual orientation, gender identification, academic background, physical or mental disability, illness, etc. We will never commit any act that could destroy the dignity of individuals.
6. Human rights due diligence
In conformity with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we undertake human rights due diligence to prevent and mitigate the possible negative impacts of our business activities on human rights.
7. Relief
If our business activities prove to have a negative impact on human rights, we will implement an appropriate procedure for the relief of the victims and prevent the recurrence of similar cases.
8. Education and training
We continue to educate and train all Nippon Shinyaku Group directors and employees so that they will implement this policy effectively as an integral part of their business activities.
9. Communication and discussions with stakeholders
We have close communication and discussions with relevant stakeholders to confirm and understand the impacts of our business activities on human rights.
10. Disclosure
We constantly disclose information about our human rights initiatives and their results.
*1: ILO’s eight fundamental conventions on labor standards
- Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No. 87)
- Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98)
- Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)
- Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105)
- Minimum Age Convention (No. 138)
- Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182)
- Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100)
- Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111)
Organizational structure
In the Nippon Shinyaku Group, initiatives implemented to ensure respect for human rights are reported to and deliberated by the Sustainability Committee, which meets twice a year, and especially important matters are reported to the Board of Directors.
The director in charge of business management and sustainability has been appointed to be responsible for ensuring respect for human rights, while the Corporate Sustainability Department promotes initiatives to solve human rights issues.
Human rights issues that our company should prioritize have been identified based on discussions at the Human Rights Subcommittee established in FY2023, with the heads of related divisions as members, and on dialogue with experts. Responses to each human rights issue are regularly reviewed by the Human Rights Subcommittee and reported to the Sustainability Committee. We will also promote further strengthening of our systems to ensure a prompt response in the event of an emergency.
Human rights due diligence
In order to fulfill its responsibility as a company to respect human rights, the Nippon Shinyaku Group not only complies with its Human Rights Policy but also promotes human rights due diligence initiatives based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We will identify and assess any negative impacts on human rights that may be caused through our business activities and then take measures to prevent and reduce them. We will continue to implement the PDCA cycle to confirm the effectiveness of the measures and will disclose the results of the measures to external parties.
Understanding of human rights issues
A Human Rights Subcommittee was established, comprised of the heads of relevant departments. The Subcommittee examined items that can be considered human rights risks to the Company from the standpoint of each department, based on the human rights issues specific to the industry.
Assessment of human rights issues
After conducting an impact assessment on the two axes of adverse impact on human rights and likelihood of occurrence, the Subcommittee assessed the importance of each human rights risk.
Identification of human rights issues
The Subcommittee identified the following human rights issues that the Company should prioritize. The Subcommittee identified these issues by taking into account the results of a human rights awareness survey among Group employees. The Subcommittee plans to review these issues by conducting similar surveys and dialogues with stakeholders.
- ・Patient safety
- ・Improvement of the workplace environment
- ・Prohibition of discrimination and promotion of diversity
- ・Child labor
- ・Forced labor
- ・Stable supply
- ・Impact on the community
- ・Bribery and corruption
Stakeholder engagement
We conducted a human rights awareness survey targeting managers in FY2022 and all Group employees in FY2023. The survey results have been reflected in human rights issues after dialogue with human rights experts.
In addition, members of the Corporate Sustainability Department participated in the Business and Human Rights Academy hosted by the UNDP in 2023, where they learned the basics of how to proceed with human rights due diligence. In individual guidance sessions, they deepened their understanding by exchanging views with experts from Japan and abroad.
We are also a member of the Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ), and we gather the latest information related to human rights by participating in the activities of the GCNJ’s Human Rights Due Diligence Subcommittee. We will continue to hold regular dialogue with experts and stakeholders.
Approach to children's rights
Nippon Shinyaku supports the Children's Rights and Business Principles and respects four rights defined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. With its social contribution activity policy including the declaration that it will conduct activities that encourage the growth of children, the company supports children’s healthy growth through unique activities, including the Nippon Shinyaku Children’s Literary Awards.
Training and awareness-raising
The Nippon Shinyaku Group provides all its employees with training on human rights. While offering anti-harassment training every year, in 2022 the Group provided human rights due diligence training as part of departmental compliance training. The Group has also shared its Human Rights Policy with its business partners to ask for their understanding and commitment.
| FY2022 | FY2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Human rights-related training | 1 times | 1 times |
Reporting desk
The Nippon Shinyaku Group has established an inquiry desk on the Web to accept questions and opinions from various stakeholders, including general customers. This desk also accepts inquiries about human rights issues and harassment, including ones made anonymously. The Group implements necessary measures to protect the confidentiality of inquiries received and operates this online desk appropriately so that inquirers will not be treated disadvantageously on the basis of their use of this desk.