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Sustainability Policy
E: Environment
Initiatives to Reduce Environmental Impact
S: Social
Strengthen Ties with Stakeholders
G: Governance
Corporate Value Improvement through Stronger Governance
Respect for Human Rights
Disclosure of information based on the recommendations of the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)
Status of CSR Promotion

Status of CSR Promotion

In accordance with the CSR Guidebook (revised edition as of April 2010) issued by the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association (JAPIA), Akebono maintains a list of its ongoing CSR activities.
By making those activities more visible and managing them in a systematic manner, Akebono is ensuring that its CSR activities are steadily implemented. Akebono also utilizes an internal inspection system based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ISO26000 management system to evaluate CSR activities conducted in each business segment. By doing so, Akebono works to clarify its CSR management issues from a global perspective and thereby improve overall CSR activities.

The status of CSR promotion in fiscal 2021 is as follows. For details on our environmental initiatives, please refer to “Environmental Management.”

Status of CSR Promotion x SDGs (for fiscal 2023)

Explanatory note:
A: 5.0 points, B: from 4.9 to 3.5 points, C: from 3.4 to 2.1 points, D: 2.0 points and below
Points represent result of self-evaluation on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0 points that was implemented in reference to the “CSR Check Sheet (revised version as of April 2010)” formulated by JAPIA.

1. Safety and quality
Related SDGs
NO POVERTYAFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGYDECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTHINDUSTRY,INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURERESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
1-1 Initiatives
Understanding customer needs, providing products that benefit society
Responsible Organization
Sales Division, Development Division, and Quality Assurance
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Establish and implement a system for checking on market needs and development goals at commencement of basic development
  • Establish and implement a system for checking on customer needs at the start of application development
  • Process inquiries and estimation requests in accordance with prescribed workflows and pass them on to the relevant sections through in-house computer networks
  • Acquire customers’ latest requirements and organize and implement systems to reflect them in relevant in-house departments
1-2 Initiatives
Providing information on products in an appropriate manner
Responsible Organization
Sales Division, Quality Assurance, and Production sites
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Provide appropriate information on R&D phase technologies in accordance with prescribed workflows
  • Provide information on product composition in a systematic manner in accordance with customer and legal requirements and such automotive industry standards as the International Material Data System
  • Collect information on product failures and share such information in a systematic manner
1-3 Initiatives
Ensuring product safety
Responsible Organization
R&D Division, Quality Assurance, and Production sites
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Verify the safety of pre-productions pursuant to the prescribed operation procedures
  • Establish and implement a system to check the impact on products due to usage conditions and environment, and to verify failure mode using FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and FTA (fault tree analysis) to determine its usefulness prior to supplying them to customers
  • Examine and verify conformity to legal and safety requirements as well as market and customer needs in a systematic manner at the R&D phase
  • Confirmation of conformity with laws, regulations, and safety. A system to check and examine conformity with the market and customer needs at the development stage is established and operated. If a defect occurs after commercialization, a work flow that defines the procedures to deal with the defect, from analysis to action, is defined and operated.
  • Develop and implement a global defect information network to achieve rapid dispersal of information to bases worldwide
1-4 Initiatives
Ensuring product quality
Responsible Organization
Quality Assurance and Production sites
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Conduct in-house management system audits (once per year for every site)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Establish and apply quality management systems within an organizational structure designed to assist quality management activities
  • Quality management activities are constantly pursued using the PDCA method, with policies and targets being formulated for each fiscal year
  • Integrate product development processes and Advanced Part Quality Planning (APQP) at locations worldwide
  • Created and implemented a system for manufacturing facility development and global production to ensure quality management
  • Currently working to strengthen the quality management system to meet customers’ needs and requirements
Self-evaluation B
2. Human rights and working environment
Related SDGs
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING QUALITY EDUCATION GENDER EQUALITY DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH REDUCED INEQUALITIES PEACE,JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
2-1 Initiatives
Abolishment of discrimination (ensuring equal employment opportunity)
Responsible Organization
HR Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Wage structure and personnel evaluation system are set forth irrespective of gender
  • Gender is eliminated from items verified at the examination for wage raise and promotion
2-2 Initiatives
Respect for human rights (prevention of harassment)
Responsible Organization
HR Department, Compliance Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Conduct training (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Conducts training on harassment and raise awareness within the company.
  • Internal consultation service has been established and announced companywide
  • Consulters are protected under the prescribed in-house rules
2-3 Initiatives
Abolishment of child labor
Responsible Organization
HR Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
The Company demands newly recruited employees to submit documents to identify their age under the rules of employment
2-4 Initiatives
Abolishment of enforced labor
Responsible Organization
HR Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
Although the Company may check employees' passport for proof of identity, the submission of a passport is not required
2-5 Initiatives
Appropriate wages
Responsible Organization
HR Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Confirmation of minimum wage set forth by local governments (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
The Company is comparing its wage levels and minimum wage set forth by each prefecture, ensuring that it is complying with the law (implemented utilizing a wage database system)
2-6 Initiatives
Working hours
Responsible Organization
HR Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Managerial training themed on labor time management (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • In accordance with an agreement with the labor union, notification of overtime work exceeding prescribed baseline hours must be submitted and permission gained in advance
  • Attendance management system is utilized to verify whether working situations are complying with the Labor Standard Law
  • Conduct regular training on labor/working hours management
2-7 Initiatives
Communication and consultation with employees
Responsible Organization
HR Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
Frequency of labor-management consultations as well as matters to consult with is set forth in labor agreement
2-8 Initiatives
Creating a safe and healthy working environment
Responsible Organization
Safety & Environment Department, Safety & BCM implementation Section
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • Zero incidents of serious workplace accidents
  • Reduce workplace accidents at both domestic and overseas facilities by half compared to the previous year
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • In accordance with Akebono's management system regulations, the Company conducts activities to ensure safety in the workplace and deals with workplace accidents that have occurred
  • The Central Safety and Environment Committee, which is held twice a year, confirms the current status of disaster and health management at all facilities, clarifies issues, and establishes activity plans and responsible persons to prevent accidents from occurring
  • Safety Leaders are appointed overseas to communicate with the Japanese counterparts and develop measures
  • FRESH Center and Health Management Office formulate annual activity plans for health management and manage their implementation
2-9 Initiatives
Human resources nurturing
Responsible Organization
HR Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Conduct trainings by job level and job function (once a year for earch)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Established Ai-Village global training center as a facility to nurture globally capable human resources
  • Internal training programs are consolidated into an intranet to provide training opportunities for all employees.
  • The Akebono standard package has been produced and is being used as a common global educational material.
  • Education programs for employees tailored to their rank and job roles are implemented (Conducted rank-specific training: new recruit training conducted once in spring and once in autumn. Conducted one training for newly hired employees, third year, and seventh year training and newly appointed team leaders, one for newly appointed assistant managers, one for newly appointed senior staff, and one for new managers)
Self-evaluation B
3. Environment
Related SDGs
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY,INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION CLIMATE ACTION LIFE BELOW WATER LIFE ON LAND PEACE,JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS
3-1 Initiatives
Environmental management
Responsible Organization
EMS secretariat, General Affairs Department, Safety & Environment Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • Renewed the ISO14001 certifications
  • Environmental education promotion
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Renewed the ISO14001 certifications
  • Enhance environmental education through the development of environmental training for all employees
3-2 Initiatives
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Responsible Organization
R&D Division, Manufacturing Division, General Affairs Department, Safety & Environment Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Fiscal 2030: Reduce total CO2 emissions by 50% or more compared to fiscal 2013
Fiscal 2050: Achieved carbon neutrality
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
Due to consolidation of production processes and reduction activities of standby power, decreased by 3.7% from the previous fiscal year. Solar power generation was introduced at Ai-City headquarters.
Responsible Organization
Manufacturing Division
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Reduction of CO2 emissions through improvement of transportation efficiency
[Target peformance]
Energy consumption: -1%
CO2: -1%
Energy consumption per unit: -1%
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
Continuation of past measures and improvement of long-distance transportation efficiency through introduction of new vehicle-rated trailers
[Actual performance (compared to the previous year)]
Energy consumption: 852 kl (-5%)
CO2: 2,267t-CO2 (-5%)
Energy consumption per unit: 0.238 (-1%)
3-3 Initiatives
Resource saving, waste reduction, and reducing environmental impact
Responsible Organization
R&D Division, Manufacturing Division, General Affairs Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • In all business activities, comply with relevant laws and regulations such as Air Pollution Control Law, Water Pollution Control Law, Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law, Noise and Vibration Regulation Law, PRTR Law, Mercury Pollution Control Law, Fire Service Law, and CFC Emission Control Law.
  • Continuously monitor related values, visualize the results, and report them at monthly Environment Committee meetings.
3-4 Initiatives
Chemical substance management
Responsible Organization
R&D Division, Manufacturing Division, General Affairs Department, Safety & Environment Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • Zero direct landfill and zero simple incineration of waste
  • Promotion of waste reduction and proper disposal
  • Continuation of activities to reduce environmental impact
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Continued to achieve zero direct landfill and zero simple incineration of waste in fiscal 2023
  • Introduced a wastewater treatment system to promote environmentally friendly production activities
3-5 Initiatives
Chemical Substance Management
Responsible Organization
R&D Division, Manufacturing Division, General Affairs Department, Safety & Environment Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Regulations on copper in friction materials in California and Washington State, U.S.A.
January 1, 2021 Friction materials containing more than 5wt% copper are prohibited in new vehicles.
January 1, 2025 Friction materials containing more than 0.5wt% copper are prohibited in new vehicles.
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Mass production of copper-free friction materials (0.5wt% or less) for both front and rear brakes began in 2014. Ongoing development of these friction materials to further improve performance.
  • Substances that fall under the PRTR Law for newly developed materials are calculated and monitored.
Self-evaluation B
4. Compliance
Related SDGs
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH REDUCED INEQUALITIES RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PEACE,JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
4-1 Initiatives
Compliance with laws and regulations
Responsible Organization
Compliance Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • Compliance Committee meetings (three times per year)
  • Compliance understanding questionaires (twice a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • At the beginning of each fiscal year, annual compliance activity measures are formulated and implemented.
  • Individual meetings are held between each department or production plant and the secretariat of the Compliance Committee to confirm the implementation status of the measures.
  • Compliance Committee meetings are held twice a year and relevant issues and initiatives are discussed.
  • Conducted "compliance proficiency questionaires" to reinforce employees' knowledge of compliance
4-2 Initiatives
Compliance with competition laws
Responsible Organization
Legal & Intellectual Property Department, Purchasing Planning Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Conduct training (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Established in-house regulations on prevention of cartels and bid rigging
  • Conducted video training on cartels and the "Act Against Delay in Payment, etc., to Subcontractors" which specified employees are required to take once a year.
4-3 Initiatives
Corruption prevention
Responsible Organization
Legal & Intellectual Property Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
Created bribery prevention guidelines and raised awareness of them in Japan and overseas
4-4 Initiatives
Control and protection of secret information
Responsible Organization
Legal & Intellectual Property Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • Audit and review of trade secret management on an annual basis
  • Conduct training (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Conducted regular audit and review of the status of trade secrets management (once a year)
  • Conducted video training which specified employees are required to take once a year
4-5 Initiatives
Control of export transactions
Responsible Organization
Legal & Intellectual Property Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Conduct training (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Management systems and operational flows are established in in-house regulations, and the status of implementation is audited and confirmed.
  • The Company submitted the "Export Control Regulations for National Security" to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and is registered as an exporter
  • Conducted video training which specified employees are required to take once a year
4-6 Initiatives
Intellectual property protection
Responsible Organization
Legal & Intellectual Property Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Patent guarantee (non infringement of other companies' patents): patent guarantee for products is conducted in Japan at the time of product design and development using patent examination sheets (The same system is used in the U.S.A., Europe, and China)
  • Development Patent Committee: Continued efforts to evaluate and register newly obtained published patents of other companies for each working group meeting during development (Check other companies' trends and stay aware of other companies' patents)
Self-evaluation B
5. Information disclosure
Related SDGs
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PEACE,JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
5-1 Initiatives
Information disclosure to stakeholders
Responsible Organization
Corporate Communications Office
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Information is appropriately disclosed to stakeholders, giving sufficient consideration to the content and the timing
  • Matters such as financial conditions, performance and business activities are disclosed through such media as TD net and EDINET pursuant to the rules of information disclosure set forth by such media
  • Update the Company's websites as needed to improve visibility and to ensure that the latest information is disclosed
Self-evaluation B
6. Risk management
Related SDGs
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING REDUCED INEQUALITIES RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PEACE,JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS
6-1 Initiatives
Companywide risk management structure
Responsible Organization
Risk Management Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Companywide identification and monitoring of critical risks
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • The Company has established risk management regulations and a Risk Management Committee, chaired by the President, as an organization to promote risk management activities. Currently, the head of each business division is appointed as a member of the Risk Management Committee.
  • The Risk Management Committee determines priority risks and policies to address them, issues instructions on countermeasures, and monitors the implementation status and effectiveness of the countermeasures. These activities are regularly reported to the Board of Directors.
6-2 Initiatives
Enhance Business Continuity Management (BCM)
Responsible Organization
Safety & Environment Department, Safety & BCM implementation Section
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • (1) Company-wide inspection (twice a year)
  • (2) Disaster Prevention Drills　(once a year)
  • (3) Revision of the risk/crisis management manual (once a year)
  • (4) Workshops held on crisis management at each facility　(twice a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Through comprehensive inspections, issues related to workplace accidents and crisis response in each department are clarified, and improvement activities are conducted to address these issues
  • Action manuals are prepared in case of crises such as earthquakes, and issues are clarified through disaster drills and workshops, and these manuals are improved through the PDCA method
Self-evaluation B
7. Social contribution
Related SDGs
REDUCED INEQUALITIES PEACE,JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS
7-1 Initiatives
Contribution to local communities
Responsible Organization
General Affairs Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • Meeting with local residents for exchanges of opinion (once a year or more)
  • Conduct social studies tours and work-study programs for elementary and junior high school students (three times a year or more)
  • Voluntary cleanup activities at the local areas (twice a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
With the easing of COVID-19 measures and the return of government events, the Company managed various events while maintaining appropriate infection control
Self-evaluation C
8. CSR promotion structure
Related SDGs
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PEACE,JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS
8-1 Initiatives
Structure for developing CSR activities inside the Group
Responsible Organization
Corporate Communications Office
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Compiled the status of internal CSR promotion and disclosed it on the website.
8-2 Initiatives
Structure for developing CSR activities involving suppliers
Responsible Organization
Purchasing Division
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • In addition to striving to build better partnerships with suppliers on a global basis through compliance with relevant laws and regulations and fairness in business opportunities, we revised our Green Procurement Guidelines in February 2012, and in 2013 we began conducting surveys on conflict minerals in our supply chain to further strengthen our procurement of parts and materials in consideration of the global environment and human rights protection.
  • In January 2014 Akebono launched the “Supplier Whistleblower Hotline” on its corporate website and set up systems to pick up and improve on issues in its business dealings
Self-evaluation B
  • * In our self-evaluation, we used the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association CSR check sheet (revised April 2010). It was conducted to verify PDCA is being internally promoted for each item.

The SDGs consist of 17 goals and 169 targets that have been determined to achieve a sustainable world by 2030.