Human Rights

Stance

Human rights are the fundamental rights that have been granted to all people. When taking into consideration processes back to the stage of the procurement of raw materials, there are an extremely large number of people involved in Yokohama Rubber’s business and an extremely diverse range of human rights that should be respected. In addition, as our business activities expand on a global level and we become increasingly involved with a diverse range of people, the probability of having a direct impact or indirect impact on human rights violations increases.
For that reason, we believe that it is important to fulfill our responsibility towards respecting human rights while taking into consideration the range of our impact, and accordingly the Yokohama Rubber Group Action Guidelines state that human rights should be respected both inside and outside of the company, and stipulate the actions that should be taken by employees to this end.

Policy

Yokohama Rubber Group Action Guidelines

We shall respect human rights inside and outside the company

<Basic stance of the Yokohama Rubber Group>

We shall respect human rights, and shall not practice or be a party to discrimination or harassment.

<To put our basic stance into practice — our action>

  1. With an awareness of the diversity of the people working for us, we shall refrain from any action grounded in discrimination for reason of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, or other attributes. In addition, when we notice any such action, we shall resolutely point it out and urge its correction.
  2. We shall refrain from harassment in any shape or form.
  3. We shall not permit any violent behavior in the workplace.

Message from a manager

Natural Rubber is one of the most important raw materials used in manufacturing Yokohama Rubber’s products, including tires. The regions where rubber is produced are affected by various risks relating to environmental destruction, human rights and labor issues, etc. As part of our response to this situation, Yokohama Rubber is also a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), initiated by the Tire Industry Project (TIP) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). In 2018, Yokohama Rubber formulated its Procurement Policy for the Sustainable Natural Rubber. This policy indicates Yokohama Rubber’s approach and initiatives for natural rubber procurement, along with its requests to suppliers.
For products other than natural rubber, we have completely revised our CSR Procurement Guidelines in 2019 to strongly appeal to our suppliers to protect human rights and prohibit discrimination and harassment in the supply chain. The Yokohama Rubber Group will share these policies throughout the entire related supply chain and aim for sustainable procurement activities.

Kazuhito Yanadori
Head of Raw Materials Procurement Department, Global Procurement Division

Vision for FY 2020

Main action items to be addressed first

Human Rights Grievance Mechanisms

In Japan, the Corporate Compliance Department has established a whistle-blowing system that consists of the Corporate Compliance Hotline and General Counseling Room. In addition, a Compliance Officer has been assigned to all departments and related subsidiary companies. This Compliance Officer gathers complaints and inquiries from employees.
Complaints concerning human resources are jointly resolved by the Corporate Compliance Department and HR departments.

<Scope of use of the system for handling complaints concerning human rights>

The system can be used by executives and employees, part-time employees, temporary employees, dispatch employees, and employees of contractors that work at the Yokohama Rubber Group.

<Methods for spreading awareness of the system for handling complaints concerning human rights>

The system is described on the Yokohama Rubber Group’s intranet, and it clearly states that consultations and reports can be conducted either with one’s name stated or anonymously. In addition, a Compliance Card that states matters including the whistle-blowing process is distributed to all employees to inform them of the presence of contact points.

<Resolution process when a complaint is submitted>

  1. The Corporate Compliance Department confirms the facts related to the consultation by the whistle-blower.
  2. The necessary measures are taken in consultation with the HR department.
  3. The results are directly reported to the whistle-blower if they have disclosed their name. Reminders are issued within the company as necessary if the whistle-blower is anonymous.

<Monitoring of the effectiveness of the system for handling complaints concerning human rights>

At the Corporate Compliance Committee that is held quarterly with the Director responsible for compliance as the Committee Chair, reports are made, the appropriateness of response is assessed, countermeasures are implemented, and follow-up is conducted.

YTPI compliance training

At Yokohama Tire Philippines, compliance education was held six times over a period of two days in preparation for the adoption of the whistle-blowing system on a global basis. For the education program, an external law office was hired to create training materials in English, and the lectures were conducted in English and Tagalog (local language). An effort was made to raise awareness on the importance of compliance, compliance with competition law, the prohibition of bribery, and the whistle-blowing system. In addition, guidance was received from an external attorney.
Education from an external attorney
Internal education

YAS and YTST compliance training

Yokohama Asia (YAS) and Yokohama Tire Sales Thailand (YTST) have introduced an internal whistle-blowing system to strengthen governance.
We designed a new system, established procedures and rules, and established an independent reporting office. Management provided explanations and a local law firm provided training in the local language (Thailand) in preparation for the start of the system in September 2020.
In the future, we will expand the scope of this initiative to include our manufacturing subsidiaries in Thailand to ensure compliance.
Training
Training
“After the training, we understood the system more and Management assured protection of whistle-blower.
We appreciate that HQ provide this system for us.
The seminar reminds us Corporate ethics and　good governance as well.”
(Comments from Phornpawee lamlerksiri)
Phornpawee lamlerksiri（Accounting/Administration Manager）
Takeshi Ohashi (Vice President, manager of General Affairs and Accounting Dept. in YAS)

Education and awareness of compliance cards at YTRC

Front side We distribute compliance cards in their respective languages in an effort to promote an awareness of compliance. Global Compliance study meetings are held a number of times annually, and through them compliance levels are increasing.

Compliance cards in the Thai languages

Compliance cards in the Myanmar languages

Front side

Code of Conduct for Employees

Please follow the rules. If someone does not follow the rules, please notify the following

  1. Human Resources contact information*
  2. Contact information for compliance officers*
  3. Management (department head) contact information*

*Phone number and email address, Myanmarese interpreters are available.

Back side

If anyone does not follow the rules in the following

  1. Violation of company rules
  2. Drug Use
  3. Destruction of Company Assets
  4. illegal activity
  5. theft
  6. General non-compliance

Main action items to be addressed first

The following items have been established as the main action items that the Yokohama Rubber Group will address first, taking into account the level of impact of business activities and the level of social interest.

Child Labor
Forced or Compulsory Labor

Data summary

Human Rights (177KB)