We have established the Ethical Behavior Standards in order to provide clear explanations about each item in the Code of Ethics. Below is an overview of the standards.
(1) Ensuring fair competition
(i) Prohibition of cartels and collusive practices
We will not make agreements with other businesses that seek to restrict competition, such as agreements on prices, assign customers, or divide sales territories.
(ii) Prohibition of resale price maintenance
We will not engage in unfair trade practices, such as giving instructions to or making agreements with competitors or distributors to maintain wholesale or retail prices of our products.
(iii) Prohibition of abuse of a dominant bargaining position
We will not take advantage of our dominant bargaining position to request that suppliers or subcontractors we do business with make monetary contributions, compel them to purchase our products or services, or interfere with their operations.
(iv) Compliance with the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations
We will comply with legal requirements when offering goods, money, or other premiums to customers. In addition, we will advertise and label our products and services truthfully and will not mislead consumers.
We will not engage in any other practices that unfairly restrict fair and free competition.
(2) Fair purchasing process
We will ensure that our purchasing process for products and services will be fair and based on contractual agreements. We will select suppliers on the basis of reasonable criteria such as quality, price, and turnaround time.
(3) Gifts and entertainment
(i) Providing gifts or entertainment
We may offer gifts or entertainment to customers and business associates as a customary business courtesy, but we will do so only if such are within the scope of socially accepted norms and do not violate the internal regulations of the other party.
(ii) Accepting gifts or entertainment
We may accept gifts or entertainment from business partners and other related parties only if their cost falls within an acceptable standard range and only with prior approval of the person responsible for the organization.
(4) Public officials
(i) Prohibition of bribery
We will not engage in any act of bribery of public officials, etc., regardless of whether or not a specific request has been made.
(ii) Prohibition of excessive entertainment, gifts, etc.
We will not provide excessive entertainment or gifts to public officials even when they do not have a vested interest in our work.
We will not provide any kind of economic benefit to antisocial forces, such as organized crime groups and sokaiya, in any form whether it be a magazine purchase, donation, membership fee, or commercial transaction.
(1) External disclosure
(i) We will actively disclose the status of our corporate activities in order to be transparent with not only our shareholders and the securities market but also a wide range of stakeholders.
(ii) We will follow generally accepted accounting principles and practices to record sales and purchases as well as the valuation of our inventories and fixed assets for fair financial reporting.
(2) Protection of personal information
We will handle personal information, both internally and externally, in compliance with our Personal Information Protection Policy, all laws related to the protection of personal information, and social norms.
(3) Protection of customer information
We will carefully handle information obtained in the course of execution of business regarding the business activities of other companies. We will use such information only in appropriate ways for appropriate purposes. We will neither disclose it to anyone outside the company nor disclose it internally except to employees who have a business need to know.
(4) Protection of company information
We will strive to protect company information in accordance with our internal rules related to trade secret management.
(1) Protection of tangible and intangible assets
We will protect tangible and intangible assets owned by the company from being lost, stolen, or used for unauthorized purposes.
(2) Obligation to return company assets upon termination
We will return all company-owned assets and materials containing company information when leaving the company due to retirement or any other reason.
We will not use intellectual property owned by the company for any purpose other than business.
We will also take great care to ensure that we are not infringing on the intellectual property rights of other companies in execution of business.
(1) Prohibition of conflicts of interest
We will not cooperate with competitor companies without the company’s approval, nor will receive money or other benefits from our suppliers, etc., in return for giving them advice or helping them.
(2) Prohibition of personal use of company assets
Company assets will not be used for personal purposes (including for the benefit of third parties).
(3) Insider information
We will not use company information or undisclosed inside information about other companies that were learned in the course of executing business for stock trading or other purposes for personal gain.
(1) Compliance with health and safety as well as labor standards
We will comply with laws, regulations, and internal rules related to health and safety as well as labor standards, strive to manage working hours efficiently, and work to maintain and improve our physical and mental health.
(2) Respect for individuality and prohibition of discrimination and harassment
We will respect basic human rights, diverse values, and privacy of individuals, and create a work environment in which employees from diverse backgrounds can fully demonstrate their abilities as we improve awareness and the workplace culture. We prohibit any unreasonable discrimination or harassment (including workplace bullying and pestering or any behavior that would make people of the other gender feel uncomfortable) by reason of race, religion, gender, age, nationality, social standing, etc.
