Human Rights

Policy

Respect for everyone’s human rights is one of the most important parts of the Asahi Kasei Group’s business activities. The Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy, established in March 2022 with the approval of the Board of Directors, conforms to the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights. In addition, we endorse the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as the Children's Rights and Business Principles. Based on these frameworks, we will grasp and appropriately address human rights issues in our business.

Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy

Respect for human rights is the basis of all activities of the Asahi Kasei Group. We pursue our Group Mission to “contribute to life and living for people around the world” in accordance with the basic approach and efforts expressed in this human rights policy.
Even as times change, the Asahi Kasei Group’s commitment to the people of the world never changes. We believe nothing is more important than for diverse people to enjoy vibrant lives while respecting each other's individuality and human rights.

We require all officers and employees of the Asahi Kasei Group, including those under non-regular employment, to respect human rights in accordance with this Policy. We expect all of our business partners, including our suppliers, to understand and support this Policy.

Our Approach

We are committed to respecting the human rights of all stakeholders throughout our activities and business value chain.

We respect human rights as stipulated in the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. In addition, we support the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our activities are based on these principles.

We comply with applicable laws and regulations in all countries and regions where our activities are conducted. Where national/regional laws fall short of or conflict with international human rights principles, we will seek ways to honor the principles of internationally recognized human rights to the extent possible while complying with the national/regional laws.

If we identify that we have caused or contributed to negative impacts on human rights in the business value chain, we endeavor to remediate them through appropriate processes with business partners.

Addressing Human Rights Issues

The Asahi Kasei Group practices the following.

We comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to working hours and wages.
We comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to safety and hygiene. We also prevent accidents and disasters, create a safe and hygienic work environment, and strive to maintain the physical and mental health of our employees.
We strictly prohibit compulsory labor, slave labor, human trafficking, and child labor.
We strictly prohibit any discrimination based on race, ethnicity, birth, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ideology, and any inhumane treatment including harassment.
We comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to the protection of personal information and manage this information appropriately.
We protect the safety and health of our stakeholders by ensuring the quality and safety of our products and services.
We understand and respect the local culture and the human rights of local communities including their health and safety.

Promoting Respect for Human Rights

Education: We will continue to provide necessary education and awareness-raising opportunities for all officers and employees, including those under non-permanent employment, to put this policy into practice.
Implementation of human rights due diligence: We will implement human rights due diligence based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Specifically, we will assess the human rights risks in our activities and continuously work to prevent and mitigate the identified risks. If we identify that we have caused or contributed to negative impacts on human rights, we endeavor to remediate them through appropriate processes.
Commitment to engage with affected stakeholders: We believe that the perspective of affected stakeholders is critical for us to recognize actual or potential human rights impacts on stakeholders by our activities, and to develop appropriate responses to address such impacts. We will engage with relevant stakeholders in a timely manner to understand and consider measures to address human rights issues.
Grievances Mechanisms: We will continuously work towards the optimization of our grievance mechanisms through a system to which our employees and the employees of our business partners can report and consult on human rights concerns. We ensure confidentiality regarding reported cases and the personal information of the persons submitting reports and have measures in place to protect those persons from unfair treatment caused by reporting issues.
Disclosure: We will monitor and regularly disclose the progress of our efforts to respect human rights through our website, the Asahi Kasei Report, and other relevant communication channels.

Approved by the Board of Directors of Asahi Kasei Corporation on March 8th, 2022

Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy

Participation in human rights initiatives (signatory to United Nations Global Compact)

We actively participate in subcommittee activities related to the respect for human rights, provided and managed by the United Nations Global Compact Network Japan. In fiscal 2024, we continued participation in the working group drawing up the “Practical Manual on Human Rights Due Diligence” within the Supply Chain Subcommittee, and worked to refine its contents. Additionally, we participated in lectures and workshops lead by experts at the HRDD Subcommittee and Human Rights Education Subcommittee, so we could now utilize the latest trends in respect for human rights and examples from participating companies to enhance our own initiatives on respecting human rights.

Participation in human rights initiatives (signatory to United Nations Global Compact)

Management Framework

In 2022, We established the Human Rights Committee as a forum for discussion and guidance on the respect of human rights, and also as an organization to promote the implementation of the Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy. The Human Rights Committee is positioned as a subcommittee of the Sustainability Committee. The committee chaired by the President is composed of members from diverse fields, including leaders responsible for business units, administrative functions, and technology functions. Matters discussed by the Human Rights Committee are reported to the Board of Directors.
In fiscal 2023, we shared global trends related to human rights and reviewed group initiatives on respecting human rights.
In fiscal 2024, the Human Rights Committee shared and discussed the latest international trends in human rights as well as the implementation status and direction of the Asahi Kasei Group’s initiatives. As a result, recognizing that things traditionally taken for granted may not be the best option when considering the perspective of human rights, we concluded that we should bear in mind that our existing businesses may require revisions, and we should enhance our sensitivity to social trends and norms as an organization. In addition, it was reaffirmed that when an issue arises in any business operation, we should consult with the Secretariat and respond appropriately.

Human Rights Management Framework (as of August 1, 2025)

Implementation of human rights due diligence

The Asahi Kasei Group recognizes that human rights due diligence is crucial in fulfilling our responsibility to respect human rights. To proactively identify, prevent, and mitigate any potential negative impacts the group may have on society, we will continue to deepen our initiatives step by step.
In fiscal 2024, we did an internal examination leveraging the knowledge of external experts, and made overall revisions so that all processes in the implementation of human rights due diligence would be deployed in actual business duties.

Overall picture of Asahi Kasei Group’s human rights due diligence

Initiatives in FY2023 - Survey on Human Rights Violation Risks for Business Unit Managers

In fiscal 2023, we focused on advancing primarily Step 2 of our human rights due diligence process. To promote actions and business activities in line with the Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy, we issued a survey on human rights violation risks in the value chain to 34 business unit managers across the Asahi Kasei Group while heeding the advice of external experts. At the Human Rights Committee meeting, we raised awareness of issues related to specific human rights violation risks for each business revealed through the survey results and hearings, and reported on the trends related to human rights and both foreign and domestic business, as well as on the status of an examination of their impact on the Asahi Kasei Group. This process reaffirmed the importance of initiatives to respect human rights, and we also reviewed future plans and our reporting structure in order to promote respect for human rights.

FY2023 Human Rights Violation Risks Survey for Business Unit Managers

Initiatives in FY2024

(1) Arranging and extracting human rights risks from the results of the fiscal 2023 internal survey: We extracted specific potential human rights risks based on the survey to business unit managers given in fiscal 2023. In addition, there were 5 separate cases of business unit personnel consulting with the Secretariat about human rights on the value chain in fiscal 2024, and we responded by implementing necessary corrective or preventative measures based on the actual situation of each. Even for low-risk issues, we implement measures such as continual monitoring.
(2) Examining deployment into existing duties of the procedure for human rights due diligence across the whole Asahi Kasei Group: Starting in fiscal 2024, we have revisited the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), as we revised our procedures and documentation related to operations in the Asahi Kasei Group’s 3 sectors (Material, Homes, Healthcare). In addition to examining primarily STEP 2 in the process for implementation of due diligence used in 2023, we have visualized the targets (business scope, type of industry, active region) of a series of initiatives in human rights issues up to STEP 5, and we enumerated any necessary tasks, including Group-wide documentation. Based on the Medium-term Management Plan newly started in fiscal 2025, we plan to share a direction with dedicated departments across each sector, and to proceed with deployment into existing duties and with spreading awareness to relevant parties.

Asahi Kasei Group’s Initiatives on Human Rights Issues in the Value Chain

Based on the aforementioned risk issues, in addition to initiatives implemented at each business and existing measures implemented comprehensively as a group, we have also prepared measures, including ones that will be necessary in the future, as additional initiatives related to business and human rights at every step in the Asahi Kasei Group’s value chain.

Asahi Kasei Group value chain

Asahi Kasei Group value chain	Resource extraction	Raw materials (Direct suppliers)	Asahi Kasei (manufacturing, etc.)	Outsourcing (Direct subcontractors)	Products/ Services	Customers (Direct buyers)	Consumers/ Local communities	Use, disposal, recycling
Related departments	･Procurement (Raw materials, supplies)		･Human Resources, Legal ･Corporate Strategy, Compliance ･Production ･Corporate environmental safety and health ･Quality Assurance	･Procurement (Outsourced processing)	･Sales, Marketing ･Logistics, Quality Assurance	･Sales, Marketing ･Quality Assurance
Related human rights topics	･Working conditions ･Labor conditions ･Occupational Health and Safety		･Working conditions ･Labor conditions ･Occupational Health and Safety ･Discrimination and harassment ･Product quality and safety ･Environmental protection	･Working conditions ･Labor conditions	･Product safety ･Advertising and promotion	･Product warnings ･Personal information management	･Consideration for local communities ･Environmental protection	･Environmental protection
Potential serious risks for the Asahi Kasei Group	･Child labor, compulsory labor, or excessive labor ･Responsible use of minerals ･Forest destruction caused by plant-derived raw materials ･Fear of negative impacts due to insufficient awareness of human rights risks at tier 2 and 3 raw materials suppliers ･Low wages, non-payment of living wages ･Dangerous or poor working conditions		･Occupational health & safety at company plants ･Management of appropriate working hours (at plants, offices, etc.) ･Discrimination and harassment ･Special consideration of respect for diversity (workplace facilities, etc.) ･Labor conditions for foreign workers ･Environmental pollution and destruction	･Occupational health & safety, and labor conditions for employees at cooperating companies (work hours, unfair discipline or dismissal) ･Labor conditions at subcontractors and agencies ･Discrimination and harassment ･Unreasonable deadlines and cancellation conditions	･Health hazards ･Inappropriate expressions ･Business activities in countries and regions with human rights risks	･Unintended uses (e.g., military, abuse)	･Health hazards ･Forced evictions ･Influence of decreasing resources on maintenance of nearby residents’ lives and social infrastructure	･Environmental pollution and destruction ･Mistaken disposal due to lack of information on reuse
Initiatives (FY2024)	･Priority procurement of certified raw materials (FSC, RSPO, etc.) ･Organizing format for consent forms for revisions to Supplier Code of Conduct and acquiring signatures ･Individual supply chain surveys (conflict minerals, etc.) ･Supplier improvement activities through the CSR procurement questionnaire ･Risk screening using a dedicated database	･Confirmation at entering new agreement with supplier (specifications, etc.) ･Spreading awareness of the Supplier Code of Conduct and holding briefing sessions ･Continuous monitoring of suppliers (expanding the scope of CSR procurement questionnaire)	･Comprehensive Group-wide initiatives (education, awareness-raising) ･Individual initiatives in the 3 sectors (PDCAs at each production site and office) ･Monitoring and auditing of legal compliance status		･Provision of safety data sheets (SDS) ･Product user manual (safety / caution items, defective product response) ･Dissemination of guidelines for environmental and human rights information disclosure ･Risk screening using a dedicated database	･Supply chain survey response (each business unit responses to requests from customer corporations) ･Participation in EcoVadis supply chain evaluations (by business unit)	･Holding briefing sessions and conferences	･Product user manual (use, disposal, how to recycle)
	･Stakeholder engagement: improvement activities for suppliers during the monitoring process
	･Compliance with laws: view of respect for international norms ･Framework establishment and reporter protections for whistleblowing internally and at suppliers: Expand hotline, document correction procedure, reporting and review

Consideration of human rights in the supply chain

The Asahi Kasei Group operates a diverse range of businesses, and we work to understand the key issues to be addressed in the various value chains and supply chains of each business from a human rights perspective. Based on this understanding, we promote respect for human rights as outlined in the Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy.

Consideration of human rights in procurement

The Asahi Kasei Group is working to promote awareness about CSR, including respect for human rights, with coordination among Corporate Procurement & Logistics, the Sustainability Strategy Planning Department, and core operating companies such as Asahi Kasei Homes. In fiscal 2024, we held an online briefing session for approximately 350 domestic suppliers eligible to answer the CSR procurement questionnaire upon distribution, during which we explained our Procurement Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct. We added new suppliers targeted for implementation from the perspective of human rights in particular, as we move forward with enhancing the efficacy of our initiatives. In addition, we began requesting that suppliers sign and submit a consent form for the Asahi Kasei Group Supplier Code of Conduct (revision of the previous Supplier Guidelines) established in fiscal 2024.
We have positioned the Asahi Kasei Group Supplier Code of Conduct alongside the Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy as an important pointer for implementation of human rights due diligence, as we engage in dialogue with suppliers, grasp human rights risks in the supply chain, take measures for prevention and improvement, and build a framework for reviewing results.

CSR Procurement

Consideration of human rights in logistics

The Asahi Kasei Group, primarily from the position of a shipper, is working to contribute to sustainable logistics. Starting in fiscal 2023, we expanded our CSR procurement activities to the logistics sector. This includes monitoring logistics partners through implementation of the CSR procurement questionnaire and promoting the dissemination of our Supplier Code of Conduct.

Participation in EcoVadis (headquartered in France) supply chain evaluations

EcoVadis, an international sustainability assessment organization (headquartered in France), conducts investigations and evaluations of companies' supply chains using its proprietary platform. Several of Asahi Kasei Group's business locations, including overseas sites, are registered on EcoVadis' platform and continuously undergo supply chain evaluations. These evaluations help us improve the effectiveness of our initiatives across various fields, including labor and human rights, the environment, ethics, and procurement.
Starting in fiscal 2024, we have started to undergo supply chain evaluations for our Microza & Water Processing Div. (Fuji district) that provides Microza®. We received the Gold Medal in June 2025 for our series of supply chain and value chain activities related to production, sale, testing, design, and after-sales service for hollow fiber membrane modules and related equipment for filtration and separation. Moving forward, we will continue to practice sustainability on the supply chain in accordance with international norms in the area of respect for human rights, as well as enhance customer productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to effective utilization of our limited water resources through the provision of membrane technology in a wide variety of fields.

Dialogue with Stakeholders

Participation in stakeholder engagement program

In fiscal 2024, we participated in the Stakeholder Engagement Program organized by the Caux Round Table (CRT) Japan. During the program, we engaged with issues raised by NPOs/NGOs and experts, working to identify key human rights issues specific to each industry.
Through participation in this program, we learn about NPO/NGO activities related to serious human rights risks domestically and abroad, hear the findings of experts, and exchange opinions with participating corporations. We leverage this knowledge to spread the respect for human rights within our company, and prepare for effective dialogue that focuses on rights holders.

Stakeholder Engagement Program (Caux Round Table Japan)

Grievance Mechanisms (reporting and consultation hotline)

The Asahi Kasei Group’s compliance hotline handles reports and consultation on all aspects of compliance, including human rights. The hotline is available to suppliers and their employees in addition to Asahi Kasei Group employees. Additionally, we have set up an inquiry form on our website for non-business partners and other stakeholders, such as general customers and other local residents, as we are building a reporting system for all of our stakeholders.
The Asahi Kasei Group is advancing organization of a series of processes in the implementation of human rights due diligence, while also devoting further efforts to preparation of a framework for properly addressing actual negative effects based on the receipt of a claim or report from a rights holder.

Number of whistleblower cases related to human rights in FY2024

In fiscal 2024, 81 reports and consultations were received through the whistleblower system. Of these, 5 reports or consultations were related to issues in human rights, such as discrimination or harassment.
We are responding to the cases for which we received reports by first devising measures for ensuring that the reporter will not receive unfair treatment as a result of the report, and then performing an investigation through a dedicated department that includes external experts. Additionally, in order to prevent human rights issues such as discrimination and harassment, we analyze the content of the received consultation and utilize it to make improvements.

Human rights education and awareness raising activities

The Asahi Kasei Group conducts various educational and awareness-raising activities on respecting human rights to deepen understanding and ensure the practical implementation of the Asahi Kasei Group Human Rights Policy at both the management and operational levels. We will continue to promote awareness of human rights and strengthen our efforts to deepen employees’ understanding of the human rights issues for which corporations are socially responsible.

	Content of conducted training and awareness activities	Number of participants
FY2024	Discussions on human rights cases within compliance activities for employees at the workplace unit level	3,766
	Human resources training (Business and Human Rights) for newly appointed Assistant Managers	333
	Human resources training (Business and Human Rights) for newly appointed Managers	286
FY2023	Dialogue with the Tokyo Branch of the Labor Union	21
	Discussions on human rights cases within compliance activities for employees at the workplace unit level	3,995
	Human rights awareness survey within the compliance questionnaire for employees	28,936
	Human rights seminars and workshops by experts at Asahi Kasei Amidas Corporation	268
	Human resources training (Business and Human Rights) for newly appointed Assistant Managers	317
	Human resources training (Business and Human Rights) for newly appointed Managers	314
FY2022	Human rights seminars by external experts	124
	E-Learning on human rights	25,230
	Promotion of initiatives on human rights issues (Group-wide Procurement Conference)	159

Harassment Prevention and Training

The Asahi Kasei Group Code of Conduct clearly stipulates a policy of zero tolerance for any kind of discrimination or harassment. To this end, we prohibit sexual harassment, harassment related to pregnancy, childbirth, and use of parental leave, family care leave, or other leave, workplace bullying and other forms of harassment in our employment regulations. We also strive to create environments with no discrimination or harassment in workplaces or towards external partners within our domestic group companies. We do this through training by rank of new employees, new Assistant Managers, and new Managers (business management positions), specialized training in different sectors, corporate ethics training for each core operating company and district, e-learning for all employees to prevent harassment, and initiatives such as internal notifications to prevent harassment of external partners such as freelancers.

	Content of conducted training and awareness activities (prevention of harassment and discrimination)	Number of participants
FY2024	Training for Senior General Managers, General Managers, and Managers to learn about unconscious bias	2,808
	Lecture for new hires to deepen their understanding of diversity (e-learning format)	426
	Lecture for newly appointed Assistant Managers and newly appointed Managers on diversity and preventing harassment (e-learning format)	637
	E-learning on preventing harassment for employees	16,716
	E-learning to deepen understanding of gender diversity for employees	4,978