Remain a “green-ink” company that delivers “iki-iki” (happiness) to our stakeholders
A “green-ink” company friendly to society and the earth
In 1998 when we first issued the “Green Balance Sheet,” we announced in the newspapers the introduction of the renewed Takara Shochu “Eco PET” as an environmentally-friendly product, declaring that Takara Shuzo would start its efforts to become a “green-ink” company. At that time, environmental advertisements were rare. We take pride in this innovative advertisement because it foresaw and dealt with upcoming environmental problems. However, in the fifth year of the 21st century, we have realized that we face enormous challenges other than environmental activities in order to achieve our corporate visions and to become the kind of company that can meet the expectations of our stakeholders. As one effort in this direction, we have reviewed the contents of the report and changed the title of the document to the “Green-ink” Corporate Report to cover our environmental and other social activities in more detail in the report.
Formerly, with the phrase “green-ink company,” we were aiming at an environmentally-friendly company. From now on, our use of the phrase “green-ink company” refers to a company that is friendly not only to the environment but also to customers, partners and all other stakeholders. In the words of our Corporate Philosophy and Code of Conduct, we should be “a company that bring “iki-iki”(happiness) to our stakeholders.” In this report, we would like to introduce our activities thus far to deliver happiness to our stakeholders.
Observe social rules and offers products that are safe and full of flavor
First of all, it is a given fact in all our activities that companies must observe the law and the rules of society to gain social confidence. In recent years, misconduct and the concealing of misconduct by companies have been reported in the mass media. As a result, there have been many cases where the confidence and trust companies built up over a long period were lost. We at Takara Shuzo have stipulated in the “Takara Group Code of Conduct” observance of the law and social ethics as the basic principle of our performance and have communicated this to all employees in education and training sessions.
Secondly, it is important for us grocery foods manufacturer to meet diversified customer needs and offer products that are safe and full of flavor. All our plants were certified under ISO9001, the international quality standard, by 2000 and we have implemented quality control measures for products on a daily basis at all production sites. We have also develop new products with a view to enhancing the quality of life of our customers, responding to their needs for healthy and environmentally-friendly products.
We have also implemented the “Say No Campaign” since the 1980s to instill proper drinking habits through advertising and package labels, because we regard underage drinking, too much drinking as far as to be unhealthy and drunken driving as important issues. Currently we publish and distribute pamphlets on proper drinking habits and display the same contents on our website. We include a warning label on drinking by pregnant women on our alcoholic beverage products, in addition to the legally-required descriptions. During sessions at the TaKaRa Rice and Sake School, our social and environmental education program that started in 2004, we also call on the families of participants to realize the importance of proper drinking habits.
Preserving the earth
It is vital that Takara works on environmental issues as part of its production activities. Because our products are sold in containers such as cans, bottles and PET bottles, it is extremely important to establish systems for recall of these containers after consumption. As a business that uses containers, we must bear the burden of recycling costs and make efforts to encourage container recycling in cooperation with our partners and related businesses. We also regard it as our responsibility to develop and sell environmentally-friendly products that use weight-saving containers and can be recycled easily. In addressing these problems the cooperation of the consumer, our business partners and other stakeholders is essential. We will continue to solicit stakeholder cooperation by distributing picture books on environmental education and disclosing information on the website.
With the enforcement of the Kyoto Protocol, it is imperative that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By participating and registering in “e-mission 55” in 2002, an international corporate group seeking early enforcement of the Protocol, we stress the importance of reducing greenhouse gases at the earliest possible time. In enforcing the Protocol, we will take the lead in fulfilling our obligations as a company with its headquarters in Kyoto.
From this year’s report, in addition to the previous environmental activity categories, a social activities category has been incorporated as a new indicator for “Green-Ink Accounting (ECO),” the comprehensive indicator of our company’s environmental activities. The renewed ECO will also serve as an indicator of our aim to become a “green-ink company.” We have linked the Green-Ink Accounting categories and environmental targets under ISO14001 to the 6th mid-term management plan (fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2007) in an arrangement in which the Takara Shuzo Group companies can promote their own activities to achieve unified goals.
Takara Shuzo will endeavor to become a green-ink company that brings happiness to people, so that we can continue to enjoy the support of our customers and bring value to stakeholders through cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders.
Hisashi Omiya
President, Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd.
|
