KDDI Group Human Rights Policy Revised to Further Respect Human Rights

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—Mid-Term Management Strategy to further enhance human rights initiatives and eradicate human rights violations in supply chains—

  • KDDI Corporation

October 20,2022

On October 20, 2022, KDDI revised the KDDI Group Human Rights Policy ("the Policy") to further enhance our human rights initiatives.
With the revision, the Policy now clearly states compliance with international standards on human rights [Jump to the applicable section1] and laws, continuation of human rights due diligence, as well as dialogue and discussions with stakeholders.

■Background

With human rights issues to be addressed expanding as it becomes increasingly more important for companies to respect human rights, and as values diversify and businesses and services expand, we have revised this Policy to fulfill our social responsibility as a company.
In our Mid-Term Management Strategy (FY23.3-FY25.3), KDDI formulated a new materiality that comprehensively covers social issues and the importance of the KDDI Group's management from a long-term perspective. For our fourth materiality we have raised "Strengthening the group management base through progressing governance," and for the seventh of the eight values we will embrace for society, "Respect for human rights" which is to "Respect human rights in every business activity, eradicating human rights violations in supply chains [Jump to the applicable section2] to contribute to the sustainable growth of society."
Further, we have set Mid-term sustainability targets to achieve these values. The targets by the end of March 2025 are to respect for human rights in all KDDI Group business activities, and conduct thorough human rights due diligence [Jump to the applicable section3] with approximately top 90% suppliers of the KDDI Group in terms of procurement value. [Jump to the applicable section4]

The positioning of respect for human rights, and Mid-term sustainability targets, in KDDI's Mid-Term Management Strategy

<The positioning of respect for human rights, and Mid-term sustainability targets, in KDDI's Mid-Term Management Strategy>

■Summary of the Policy

The KDDI Group strives to resolve social issues as a company that supports the information infrastructure of society based on the KDDI Group Mission Statement: "The KDDI Group values and cares about the material and emotional well-being of all its employees, and delivers a thrilling customer experience by always going further than expected with the ultimate goal of achieving a truly connected society."

We will fulfill our responsibility to respect human rights by not violating the human rights of others and by taking appropriate measures to remediate any actual or potential adverse impact on human rights that may occur through our business activities.

The KDDI Group Human Rights Policy ("the Policy") is based on the KDDI Group Mission Statement and clarifies our efforts to respect human rights in order to fulfill our responsibilities to all stakeholders.

  • 1.

    Compliance with international standards and laws

    We will support and respect international standards on human rights. We will formulate the Policy and promote efforts to respect human rights.

  • 2.

    Scope of application

    The Policy applies to all executives and employees of the KDDI Group (including full-time, contract, and temporary employees). We will also encourage our suppliers and business partners not to violate human rights in accordance with the Policy and work with them to promote respect for human rights.

  • 3.

    Governance for human rights

    At the KDDI Group, the Sustainability Committee chaired by the President and Representative Director will formulate policies on human rights activities, develop and revise promotion systems, and confirm the progress toward targets. Important matters will be reported to and supervised by the Board of Directors via the Corporate Management Committee.

  • 4.

    Regular implementation of human rights due diligence

    We will establish a human rights due diligence system in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and will continuously implement the matters outlined below. Of the human rights issues that may arise in all business activities of the KDDI Group, human rights issues that are of particular importance are separately listed in the appendix, and appropriate measures will be taken to address them.

    • Identifying and assessing adverse impacts on human rights
    • Preventing and mitigating adverse impacts on human rights
    • Tracking of effectiveness of mitigation measures
    • Information disclosure
  • 5.

    Remedies

    Should it become evident that the business activities of the KDDI Group cause or contribute to adverse impacts on human rights, we will take adequate measures for their remediation.

  • 6.

    Dialogue and consultation with stakeholders

    We will strive to improve our efforts to respect human rights by engaging in dialogue and consultation with relevant stakeholders in response to actual or potential adverse impacts on human rights.

To read the entire Policy please visit:
Open link in a new windowKDDI Group Human Rights Policy

■Identifying important human rights issues

With the revision of the Policy, we have conducted human rights impact assessments [Jump to the applicable section5] for the entire KDDI Group, identifying important human rights issues. We are committed to respecting human rights in every business activity and strive to provide services and products that will be trusted by our customers.

<Important human rights issues>

1 Pursuit of the well-being of our employees and promotion of diversity and inclusion Prohibition of discrimination and harassment
Establishment of a safe and healthy work environment
Prohibition of forced labor and child labor
Respect for rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining
2 Ethical use of technology and data to support innovation Preventing human rights violations caused by technological development
Protection of privacy and respect for freedom of expression
3 Provision of services and products that take human rights into consideration Respect for human rights in the provision of services and products
Provision of user-friendly services and products
Harmonization with local communities and elimination of human rights violations in the supply chain
Prevention of adverse human rights impacts of climate change

The KDDI Group will advance sustainability management together with our partners to achieve sustainable growth with society and further boost our corporate value, unfurling "The creation of a society in which anyone can make their dreams a reality, by enhancing the power to connect." in KDDI VISION 2030.

  • [1]
    Such as the "International Bill of Human Rights," International Labour Organization, "ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work," and "Children's Rights and Business Principles"
  • [2]
    The entire flow of supply from procurement of raw materials and parts for products, to sales
  • [3]
    A whole series of action taken by companies to identify, prevent and reduce the negative impact of their business activities on human rights, evaluate their initiatives' efficacy, and explain and disclose information on the responses taken
  • [4]
    Open link in a new windowKDDI's supply chain management (in Japanese only)
  • [5]
    Companies investigating, appropriately monitoring and evaluating negative impact of their business activities on people and society
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