Special Report 1The Aims of Toppan’s Human Rights Policy

Overview of the Toppan Group Human Rights Policy

A policy devised to promote respect for human rights across the Toppan Group

The fundamental tenet for the Toppan Group’s business is “respect for human beings.” This is expressed in the Corporate Philosophy of TOPPAN VISION 21, which sets out the values to be upheld by everyone working in the Group.

We will ensure Groupwide awareness of the policy through training, conduct due diligence to understand, prevent, and mitigate violations associated with business, and begin full risk assessment in fiscal 2022.

Toppan Group Human Rights Policy

Our Approach to Human Rights

This policy is based on TOPPAN VISION 21 and the Toppan Group Conduct Guidelines. It sets out our commitment to address human rights issues in order to fulfill our responsibility to all stakeholders. To achieve this, we support and respect international human rights norms, including the International Bill of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and treaties pertaining to labor rights, such as those related to wages and working hours. Toppan is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and supports its Ten Principles as well as the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our practices are based on these principles.

* The following are stipulated under the basic approach.

  • Scope of Application
  • Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations
  • Responsibility to Respect Human Rights
  • Human Rights Due Diligence
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Remedy
  • Education and Training
  • Management Responsibility for Human Rights
  • Information Disclosure

Approach to Individual Issues

  • Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking
  • Discrimination and Harassment
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Right to Collective Bargaining and Freedom of Association
  • Occupational Safety and Health
  • Right to Privacy

Timeline of Initiatives Related to Human Rights

1991
“Respect for human beings” stipulated in management policy
2000
TOPPAN VISION 21 established and respect for human rights included in Conduct Guidelines
2003
Toppan Group Helpline established
2006
Toppan joins United Nations Global Compact
2015
Diversity & Inclusion Promotion Team formed
Health Management Declaration established
2019
Diversity & Inclusion Promotion Office launched
2020
Agreement on prevention of harassment concluded
2021
Toppan Group Human Rights Policy established
Message

Shinichi OhkuboExecutive Vice President & Representative Director

We have now formulated and published our human rights policy. We have always made “respect for human beings” the cornerstone of our activities and valued employees as “human assets.” These concepts are firmly entrenched in TOPPAN VISION 21.

The new policy is strongly related to the vision of the Medium Term Plan published in May 2021. We aim to be a leading provider of solutions to social issues worldwide through digital and sustainable transformation. Priorities are transforming our portfolio, strengthening management foundations, and expanding ESG initiatives. Human rights are closely linked to all of these. It is vital to consider them across global supply chains. Human rights are also integral to ESG practices and human asset management, which are critical for strengthening management foundations.

Our policy is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, a global standard. To make the vision in our Medium Term Plan a reality, we will consistently put the policy into practice across the Group.

Talking to a Civil Group about Toppan’s Human Rights Policy

It is essential to give validity to the Toppan Group Human Rights Policy by engaging in dialogue with stakeholders. We need to ensure initiatives are meaningful and look at the approach required to drive sustainability management globally. Hideo Okumura, Executive Officer heading Toppan’s Personnel & Labor Relations Division, spoke to Atsuko Miwa, a Co-Chair of SDGs Japan.

Project Initiatives and Challenges to Address

The Toppan Group Human Rights Policy was established in October 2021. Related initiatives will be advanced across the Group worldwide.
Plan for the Toppan Group Human Rights Policy

Activities in Fiscal 2021

Jun 2021
Launched Toppan’s Human Rights Working Group
Jul 2021
Joined Global Compact Network Japan Working Group on Human Rights Due Diligence
Aug 2021
Drafted Toppan Group Human Rights Policy
Sep 2021
Human rights policy and risks discussed by Toppan’s officers
Oct 2021
Established Toppan Group Human Rights Policy
Identified Toppan Group’s main human rights risks
Nov 2021
Informed leaders of related companies of the policy
Established Toppan Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines
Jan—Mar 2022
Established framework for assessing, rectifying, and monitoring risks
Mar 2022
Conducted human rights training for all employees of Toppan Inc.
(To be expanded to group companies Globally in fiscal 2022)

Future Initiatives

We have identified our five main risks as forced labor/human trafficking, discrimination, inhumane treatment, right to privacy, and human rights governance across the Group.

We will conduct training at Toppan companies throughout the world to ensure that the human rights policy is understood. We also plan to implement the PDCA cycle for human rights due diligence in fiscal 2022. Specifically, we will assess risks for Toppan’s companies and stakeholders, conduct training and other activities to mitigate and remedy risks identified, and disclose information as appropriate.

Interview

Yui NakamuraSupervisor
Personnel Department
Personnel & Labor Relations Division

Taking ownership to change mindsets and behavior

Interest in business and human rights is intensifying as companies globalize. Toppan and other Japanese companies have addressed issues such as harassment and occupational safety and health, but we need to go beyond conventional thinking and recognize our responsibility across supply chains, consumers, and communities. It is vital that we renew our awareness and encourage employees and business partners to take ownership of human rights issues, prompting change in how people think and act. In addition to training, we plan to fulfill our responsibility to respect human rights by conducting due diligence at roughly 200 Toppan companies globally and implementing corrective and preventative measures accordingly.