Human Rights / Social Contribution

Human Rights Policy

1. Basic view on human rights
As a company that supports the United Nations Global Compact, we recognize that respecting human rights is a social responsibility that a company must fulfill and establish this human rights policy.

2. Key international human rights norms that this policy complies with
We support and respect the following international human rights norms:
• International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
• International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights United Nations Global Compact’s Ten Principles across four areas
• Children’s Rights and Business Principles

3. Scope
This policy applies to all officers and employees of Artner.
Furthermore, we request all clients affiliated with our businesses and services to understand and support this policy.

4. Initiatives to ensure human rights are respected in our business activities
In all of our business activities
• We will respect basic human rights without discrimination based on gender, age, place of origin, nationality, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, disease, disability, and/or other factors.
• We will create a healthy work environment, and will not engage in harassment (workplace bullying, sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, or any other form of harassment by any name) or any other treatment that would be recognized as inhumane by global standards.
• We will make reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious practices and document the details of such accommodations.
• We will not require employees to undergo medical examinations that are not reasonably and objectively necessary in the hiring process.
• We will respect the rights of employees to form and join labor unions, to bargain collectively, and to participate in peaceful assembly of their own volition, as well as their rights to withhold such participation.
• We will prohibit forced labor and child labor.
• We will adhere to the Minimum Wage Act and pay wages exceeding the minimum wage.
• We will prohibit unreasonable treatment in accordance with the principle of equal pay for equal work.

5. Governance
Our initiatives under this policy will be regularly reported to and managed by the Compliance and Risk Management Meeting and the Sustainability Committee. The Board of Directors will be informed of its details and provide supervision.

6. Human rights due diligence
We will establish a mechanism for human rights due diligence in line with the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We will identify and work toward preventing and mitigating negative impacts on human rights, continuously assess the effectiveness of our efforts, and make appropriate disclosures.

7. Remediation and relief
If it becomes known that our business activities caused or facilitated negative impacts on human rights, we will take appropriate measures to remedy them.
If it becomes known that our clients caused or facilitated negative impacts on human rights, we will urge the clients to take remedial actions.
We will establish a helpline to receive any reports on compliance violations related to human rights and any inquiries, and take steps for relief and remediation upon investigation.
We will ensure the confidentiality and the protection of personal information of whistleblowers, and will not treat them disadvantageously based on their reports.

8. Education and training
We will continuously provide appropriate education and training to all officers and employees to ensure that this policy is integrated into all business activities and is implemented effectively. In addition, we will share this policy with all clients affiliated with our businesses and services, and hold dialogues and discussions with them on a continuous basis.

9. Information disclosure
We will appropriately disclose the progress of our initiatives for respecting human rights through our website and other means.

10. Dialogue and discussion with stakeholders
We will carry out continuous dialogues and discussions with relevant internal and external stakeholders regarding our initiatives under this policy, and strive to improve and enhance our initiatives for respecting human rights.

Initiatives

Artner has established a human rights policy in line with the United Nations Global Compact, which prohibits forced labor, slavery or labor trafficking, and child labor. In addition, we have established a mechanism for human rights due diligence in line with the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and will identify negative impacts on human rights and work toward preventing and mitigating them, continuously assess the effectiveness of our efforts, and make appropriate disclosures.
There have been zero consultations about discrimination during the current fiscal year.

《Human Rights Training》
Training theme Description
2023 Human rights ①What are human rights?
②Increasing attention on how companies are addressing human rights
③Subjects (rights holders) whom companies should respect
④Human rights risks
⑤Human rights fields that companies should respect
⑥Main impacts of adequate/inadequate human rights efforts
⑦Artner’s human rights policy
2022 Diversity measures (promoting understanding of LGBTQ+) ①Basics of diversity management (diversity and inclusion management)
②Basics of LGBTQ+
③Panel discussion (on personal experiences)
2021 Diversity measures (promoting understanding of LGBTQ+) ①Basics of diversity management
②Basics of LGBTQ+ and SOGI
③What we can do: specific actions by allies

Supply Chain Management

Artner recognizes that human rights initiatives are required not only by the Company, but also by our supply chain. We have therefore established a procurement policy and will comply with laws and regulations and respect basic human rights as a responsible member of society. We share our approach to human rights with our suppliers and strive to identify human rights risks in the supply chain as part of our procurement process.

Procurement Policy

• As a responsible member of society, we will comply with laws and regulations and respect social justice and basic human rights.
• We will establish equal and fair business relationships and procure the best and most appropriate resources.
• We will conduct fair transactions and act by putting ourselves in our customers’ shoes.
• We will meet customer needs by providing products that offer value in all aspects of price, quality, safety, and the environment.
• We will strive to use environmentally friendly products.
• We will strive to properly manage documents and information.
• We will strictly manage information that should be kept confidential.

Regional Contribution

As a member of the local community, we are involved in community outreach activities such as supporting the education of the next generation of manufacturing professionals and beautifying the environment.

Programming classes for elementary school students

We run computer programming classes led by Artner employees for children in grades four to six at local elementary schools. Like this, we provide opportunities for children to learn how to think like a programmer.

Initiatives to clean public spaces

As part of its community service activities, Artner organizes a cleanup of Esaka Park, located near our learning centers in West Japan, and of Shin-Yokohama Ekimae Park, located near our Tokyo headquarters and learning centers in East Japan, inviting the participation of all of our directors, managers, and employees.

Donations and Support

We donate to various organizations to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Support for areas affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

We made donations to the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund through the Central Community Chest of Japan. Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone in the affected areas, and we sincerely hope for the swiftest possible recovery.

Support for Akai Hane Central Community Chest of Japan (donations)

We support the Central Community Chest of Japan, an organization engaged in support and assistance for local social welfare issues around Japan (e.g., child poverty, hikikomori, elderly support, disabled support).

Support for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) (donations)

Artner endorses and donates to support the activities of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which delivers food support in 83 countries and school meal support in more than 30 countries around the world, to save children in poverty from starvation and to help children grow up in good health. The UNWFP also works to promote school attendance and expand educational opportunities for children.

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