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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 2017 is as follows. For details on our environmental initiatives, please refer to “Environmental Management.”

Status of CSR Promotion x SDGs (for fiscal 2017)

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 Division
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 Division, 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 Division, 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
  • Quality risk items requiring compliance with legal and safety requirements are identified and are closely controlled
  • 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 Division
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)
Activities aimed at raising associates' awareness of compliance (twice a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Conduct “compliance proficiency tests” aimed at raising associates’ awareness of compliance across the board (twice)
  • Internal consultation service has been established and announced companywide
  • Whistle blowers 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 associates 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 associates' 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 associates
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
Safety and health of the working environment
Responsible Organization
Central Safety and Environment Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Reduce occupational accidents (50% year on year) to zero per year
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Groupwide promotion items for facility safety countermeasures and sanitary control at workplaces are formulated and implemented by the Central Safety Environment Committee
  • Formulate a Groupwide safety promotion plan annually, and conduct close mutual exchanges and sharing of information promoting the improved safety levels at all locations
  • FRESH Center and Health Management Office formulate annual activity plans for health management and manage their implementation
  • Implemented standardized safety manuals for global locations based on the manual used in Japan
2-9 Initiatives
Human resources nurturing
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
  • Established Ai-Village global training center as a facility to nurture globally capable human resources
  • Created a guidebook that summarizes the content of in-house educational programs and provided all associates with opportunities to participate in such programs
  • Held global management training programs for managers from Akebono Group locations worldwide in response to globalization (twice a year)
  • Education programs for associates 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 second year, 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
Global Environment Committee, etc.
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • Renewal of the ISO14001 certifications
  • Environmental education
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Renewed the ISO14001 certifications at four locations including Iwatsuki Manufacturing and AAIJ (Indonesia)
  • Began providing online educational programs as a part of enhancement of environmental education
  • Continued tree-planting activities in consideration of vegetation
3-2 Initiatives
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Responsible Organization
Global Environment Committee and others (CO2 Emission Reduction Project)
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Improve CO2 intensity 1% or greater every year until 2020 (in reference to JAPIA target value)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
In fiscal 2017, CO2 emissions per unit of sales declined 9.8% (with an average reduction of 2.4% per year) compared to fiscal 2013 through the introduction of next-generation friction material production facilities and the application of heat-insulating coatings to the rooftops of plant buildings
Responsible Organization
Global Environment Committee, etc.
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Improvement of transportation efficiency, increase in energy usage efficiency
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
CO2 emissions per transported weight and distance declined 0.4% year on year through the introduction of a system for the real-time management of truck operations and other measures
3-3 Initiatives
Resource saving, waste reduction, and reducing environmental impact
Responsible Organization
Global Environment Committee, etc.
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • No direct landfill of waste and no incineration without energy recovery
  • Promote the reduction and proper disposal of waste
  • Continued environmental impact reduction activities
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
No direct landfill of waste and no incineration without energy recovery accomplished in fiscal 2017 again through efforts such as recycling of foundry sand into cement raw material
3-4 Initiatives
Chemical substance management
Responsible Organization
Global Environment Committee, etc.
Environment Department
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Response to regulations on copper used in friction materials set forth by states of California and Washington, the United States
  • After January 1, 2021, materials for new automobile containing 5wt% of copper or more are going to be prohibited
  • After January 1, 2025, materials for new automobile containing 0.5wt% of copper or more are going to be prohibited
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • The Company initiated the mass-production of copper-free friction materials for front and rear brakes in 2014 while working to improve the performance of such materials
  • Chemical substances designated by PRTR laws contained in newly developed friction materials are checked and tracked
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 (six times per year)
  • Compliance understanding tests (once a year)
  • Workplace discussion (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Compliance Committee meetings are held six times a year and relevant issues and initiatives are discussed
  • Conducted “compliance proficiency test” to reinforce associates' knowledge of compliance (once)
  • Held a workplace discussion as part of a month dedicated to strengthening compliance (once)
4-2 Initiatives
Compliance with competition laws
Responsible Organization
Compliance Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Established guidelines on prevention of cartels and bid rigging
  • The Company raised awareness by sharing data on the latest cases of cartel violations through intranet
  • Conducted training on cartels and the “Act Against Delay in Payment, etc., to Subcontractors” and promoted awareness raising activities
4-3 Initiatives
Corruption prevention
Responsible Organization
Compliance Committee
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
Compliance Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Audit and review of trade secret management on an annual basis
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
Conducted regular audit and review of the status of trade secret management (once)
4-5 Initiatives
Control of export transactions
Responsible Organization
Compliance Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Holding training (once a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Export transactions are managed and overseen by structures set forth in the in-house regulations and processed with prescribed operation flow provided by the regulations
  • The Company submitted the “Export Control Regulations for National Security” to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and is registered as an exporter
  • Regular training session was held to raise associates' awareness of compliance (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 process review stages 2 and 4 using patent examination sheets (The same system is used in the U.S.A. and Europe)
  • 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)
The issuance of the AKEBONO REPORT (once a year, both in Japanese and English)
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
  • The Company issues “AKEBONO REPORT,” which integrates the corporate brochure, CSR report and annual report for the convenience of stakeholders
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, Risk Evaluation Committee
Numerical targets (if applicable)
Companywide identification and monitoring of critical risks
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Conducted annual reviews on Companywide critical issues and appoint responsible person and organization to each issue, having them monitor and evaluate progress on response plans with respect to nine selected themes
  • Established risk management structures at each major overseas location and monitor and evaluate progress on risk response plans at each location
  • The status of risk management activities and their risk management policies are reported annually to the Board of Directors after being discussed by the Risk Management Committee
6-2 Initiatives
Enhance Business Continuity Management (BCM)
Responsible Organization
BCM Countermeasure Subcommittee (a special subcommittee operating under the Risk Evaluation Committee)
Numerical targets (if applicable)
  • A broad range of BCM development including prevention, mitigation to initial action, recovery procedures, and alternative production strategies (create a list of concrete actions and maintain the database)
  • Education (implementation of large-scale earthquake drills, etc.)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
Formulated a midterm road map geared toward strengthening prompt and accurate responses to diversifying disaster risks and reinforced our structure in line with BU (business units). Reformed the entire BCM initiative focusing on tactical exercises and drills to establish PDCA (moving beyond P)
  1. Election of a BCM Promotion Committee (review the former committee structure). In addition, we will establish a new BCM Promotion Office and promote BCM development planning and foster Groupwide human resources development
  2. To improve BCP effectiveness, we changed the type of training from the conventional scenario flow type to a non-disclosure type and simulated emergency situations (120 participants ranking executive or lower)
    *We implemented non-disclosed scenario-type large-scale earthquake response drills in combination with problem-solving working group activities. In the working groups to foster people who can take action in emergency situations problem-solving type activities were developed through practical exercises.
  3. Implemented activities across the entire supply chain in response to all types of natural disasters or accidents (fire, explosion, etc.), including overseas locations
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 the exchange of opinions (once a year or more)
  • Summer festivals (once a year)
  • Voluntary cleanup activities at the local areas (twice a year)
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • Regularly held meetings with local residents for the exchange of opinions (four meetings were held in total at four locations in fiscal 2017, attended by 68 people in total)
  • Welcomed elementary and junior high school students to plant tours while hosting “Open House Events” for families of associates wishing to see worksites (such events were held on 27 occasions on a Groupwide basis during fiscal 2017, with 1,086 attendees in total)
  • Continued to hold summer festivals (held at five　locations in fiscal 2017 with a total of 6,623 people participating)
  • Local voluntary cleanup activities are regularly undertaken by associates (15 times in total at all locations with a total of 373 associates participating)
  • Local greenery development activities are regularly undertaken (such activities were held three times in fiscal 2017 with 35 associates participating in total)
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 Branding Office
Numerical targets (if applicable)
-
Structure for Promotion, Action taken and Degree of Attainment
  • CSR activities are led by the Corporate Brand Management team under the recognition of “CSR is indispensable for corporate brand management and an essential for continuing our business operations”
  • Each relevant section and committee sets targets and evaluates achievements on a separate basis. The Company recognizes that those initiatives must be integrated and promoted on a Groupwide basis in the future
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
  • Worked to nurture more favorable partnerships with suppliers globally by strictly complying with relevant laws and regulations and the principles of fairness and equity in conducting business transactions
  • Revised the Green Purchasing Guidelines in February 2012 to step up green procurement efforts
  • Launched tracking surveys to watch for “conflict minerals” entering supply chains in 2013, and took steps to further strengthen parts and material procurement that gives due consideration to 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.