ARATA considers employees to be collaborative partners who share our goals.
Based on the perspective that we cannot grow unless all our employees do as well, we place importance on promoting diversity in thought, values, and points of view among our employees, as well as the free exchange of opinions between them and creating a better environment.
We are investing in human resources, enhancing our personnel schemes, and building a system that enables diverse working styles, to become a company that employees can feel motivated to work for over the long term.
Respecting Human Rights
We are committed to respecting basic human rights and diversity, including those of our employees and business partners. In addition to the "ARATA Group Human Rights Policy," we have clearly stated our policy on respect for human rights to our employees in the "ARATA Policies" booklet, which all employees carry, as well as in the "Corporate Action Guidelines," and we are working to disseminate this policy through training and other means.
ARATA Group Human Rights Policy
The ARATA Group aims for sustainable growth and development together with society based on its management philosophy of "continuing to serve the world." In order to achieve sustainable growth as a company truly needed by society, we believe that respect for human rights is a prerequisite, and we have established the ARATA Group Human Rights Policy as a guideline for fulfilling our business responsibilities.
Basic Approach to Human Rights
Based on its Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ARATA Group supports and respects the "International Bill of Human Rights" adopted by the United Nations (consisting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights), the "ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work" and other international norms.
In addition, the ARATA Group will comply with laws and regulations in each country or region in which it operates. We will pursue ways to fully respect international human rights principles when there is a conflict between internationally recognized human rights and the laws of each country.
Scope of Application
This policy applies to all officers of the ARATA Group (ARATA Co., Ltd., subsidiaries, and affiliates) and all employees, including part-timers, contract employees, and temporary employees. We will also require our business partners and suppliers to understand and comply with this policy.
Responsibility for Respecting Human Rights
Aware of the possibility that human rights may be affected in its business activities, the ARATA Group will endeavor not to infringe on its own human rights and not to encourage human rights infringements.
Due Diligence
The ARATA Group will establish a framework for human rights due diligence, ascertain the negative impacts on human rights and their risks, and work to prevent and mitigate them.
Dialogue and consultation with stakeholders
In the process of implementing this policy, the ARATA Group will engage in dialogue and discussions with relevant stakeholders in earnest.
Education and Training
The ARATA Group will conduct appropriate education and training for all executives and employees to ensure that this policy is incorporated into all business activities and implemented effectively
Information disclosure
The ARATA Group will report on its initiatives for respecting human rights and the results thereof on its website and in various public materials.
Responsibility
The ARATA Group will clarify the executives responsible for implementing this policy and supervise the implementation status.
Human rights issues related to business
・Prohibition of discrimination
The ARATA Group will respect basic human rights by prohibiting all forms of discriminatory conduct and harassment, including nationality, religion, race, sex, educational background, and age. In addition, as partners, we will respect each other's human rights, personality and individuality, and create a work environment in which each individual can maximize his or her capabilities.
・Prohibition of harassment
The ARATA Group will not engage in harassment in any form and will endeavor to maintain a comfortable working environment free from harassment.
・Prohibition of forced labor and child labor
The ARATA group does not tolerate forced labor, child labor, or other unfair labor practices.
・Freedom of association and collective bargaining
The ARATA Group respects the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
・Proper management of working hours and wages
The ARATA Group will appropriately manage the working hours, holidays, holidays, and wages of employees in accordance with laws and regulations.
・Ensuring Employee Health and Safety
The ARATA Group will create a safe and comfortable work environment, prevent occupational accidents, and invigorate the workplace.
・Protection of personal information
The ARATA Group recognizes the importance of personal information and believes it is its social responsibility to protect personal information.For the acquisition, use, and management of personal information handled in compliance with laws and internal regulations concerning personal information We will do it properly.
This policy was approved by ESG Committee and the Board of Directors.
Established December 1, 2022
ARATA CORPORATION
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hiroaki Suzaki
Sustainability in the Supply Chain
Sustainability Policy in the Supply Chain
Basic Philosophy of Supply Chain
Arata Group conducts business with a large number of business partners. In this context, we are required to address environmental and social issues not only within our own company but also in our supply chain. We recognize the environmental and social risks in the supply chain in procuring raw materials and products, and through our business activities, we strive to understand the issues in the related supply chain and practice the supply of sustainable products.
〈Basic Policy on Sustainability in the Supply Chain〉
Arata Group contributes to the realization of a sustainable society based on our corporate philosophy of "Continue to serve the world."In order to continue to be a company that is needed by society, we have established the following "Sustainability Guidelines for Supply Chains" and will work together with our business partners to build sustainable supply chains.
〈Sustainability Guidelines for the Supply Chain〉 1. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
We will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules in the countries and regions in which we operate.
2. Respecting Human Rights
We will respect basic human rights and will not engage in discriminatory behavior, harassment, or other inhumane treatment. We will prevent forced labor and child labor, observe appropriate working hours, and ensure minimum wages for our employees. We will respect the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively in order to facilitate smooth discussions between labor and management.
3. Safety and Health
We will strive to provide our employees with a safe, hygienic, and healthy working environment.
4. Consideration for the Global Environment
In our business activities, we will work to preserve the global environment and strive to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and waste.
5. Ensure Fair and Equitable Transactions and Prevention of Corruption
We will strive to ensure fair, equitable and highly transparent transactions and to prevent corrupt practices.
6. Quality and Safety
We will strive to ensure the quality and safety of our products and services.
7. Information Security
We will appropriately manage confidential and personal information related to business transactions and strive to prevent leaks of such information.
8. Local Community
We will cooperate as a member of the local community and contribute to the sustainable development of the local community.
This policy was approved by ESG Committee and the Board of Directors.
Established October 25, 2023
ARATA CORPORATION
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hiroaki Suzaki
Health Management
Declaration of Health Management
One of our key ESG issues is "to be a rewarding company to work for. " We recognize that maintaining and improving the health of our employees is an important management issue so that they can continue to work enthusiastically for a long time. To ensure that each and every one of our employees can lead a healthy life, both physically and mentally, and lead a fulfilling life both in their private and public lives, we, as a company, will support our employees in maintaining and improving their health and strive to create an energetic work environment.
ARATA CORPORATION
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hiroaki Suzaki
Promotion of Diversity
In order for a company to grow sustainably, it is necessary to employ diverse human resources without distinction of nationality, gender, age, etc., and to generate innovation.
We have set "promotion of women's activities" as a priority in promoting diversity, and have set a target of 4.5% women in management positions (section managers and above) by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. In order to achieve this goal, we are currently discussing the establishment of a system and environment in which all employees, regardless of gender, are motivated and can continue working for a long time.
Acquisition of “Eruboshi” Certification (2 stars)
Based on the Law for the Promotion of Women's Activities, companies that have formulated and submitted an action plan and are in good standing in their efforts to promote women's activities are eligible to receive certification from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. ARATA received the second level 2 stars rating because it satisfied three of the five evaluation items: "Continuous Employment," "Working Hours and Other Work Styles," and "Diverse Career Courses," and because it was recognized that its performance in the two items of "Recruitment" and "Management Ratio" had improved for two or more consecutive years. (March 8, 2024)
The action plan, which stipulates specific goals and details of initiatives, is as follows
Based on the Law for the Promotion of Women's Activities, companies that have formulated and submitted an action plan and are in good standing in their efforts to promote women's activities are eligible to receive certification from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. ARATA received the second level 2 stars rating because it satisfied three of the five evaluation items: "Continuous Employment," "Working Hours and Other Work Styles," and "Diverse Career Courses," and because it was recognized that its performance in the two items of "Recruitment" and "Management Ratio" had improved for two or more consecutive years. (March 8, 2024)
The action plan, which stipulates specific goals and details of initiatives, is as follows
ARATA has concluded cooperation agreements with local government and administration in six areas throughout Japan. We are building a structure capable of stably supplying products in the event of a major incident.
In addition, we also conduct community contribution activities at the individual business site level.
Examples of Community Contribution Activities
・Volunteering: community cleanup activities, traffic safety campaign on the street
・Collection and donation of funds: donation to community revival events and collection for UNICEF
・Culture and the arts: Participation and sponsorship of community events
・Sports: Support for community and employees’ sports activities
・Supporting education: accepting students for work experience
In April 2022, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our establishment, and as a "Community-based wholesaler" that has developed together with local residents, we made donations to local governments and other organizations. The head office and branches donated goods and other items as a measure against the new type of coronavirus and to support women and children.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
In the event of a natural disaster such as a major earthquake, or in the event of a crisis which causes serious damage, in order to ensure the safety of people and to fulfill our social mission as a wholesaler, we have established the following basic policy and have formulated a BCP.
Basic Policy
We will place top priority on confirming the safety of employees and their families and ensuring safety.
We recognize the important social mission of the wholesaling business and will cooperate in the recovery and response to deliver products, and in the speedy restoration of the supply chain.
We will conduct education and drills on our business continuity plan so that the organization can operate smoothly.
Realizing the value of workplaces where employees can work with peace of mind, we will place top priority on confirming the safety of employees and their families and ensuring safety.
Emergency Calls
In 2012 we introduced a system for rapidly making emergency calls and confirming safety during a disaster using any means, including telephone, email, and smartphone, and we have conducted continuous drills for its use. (In fiscal 2018, the system was drilled four times for approximately 8,800 people)
Emergency In-house Stockpiles
We have emergency in-house stockpiles such as food, drinking water and emergency supplies at each site to prepare for disaster.
Business Continuity
A Mission to Deliver Essential Products for Everyone’s Daily Lives
All of the products that we handle are essential to consumers’ daily lives. We want to take pride in our businesses being able to make a committed effort to help retailers reopen after being affected by a natural disaster for example.
As a company that is responsible for social infrastructure in the form of distribution of daily goods, we will reaffirm the importance of our social mission and work to strengthen our systems.
① Build an organizational framework during disasters
When a major disaster has occurred, we will ascertain the situation and establish a disaster command center.
② System network
We aim to protect our vital information assets for delivering products and the network for them from disasters, and to establish an infrastructure for rapidly recovering from disasters. We have established a backup center in preparation for any disaster damage.
③ Logistics network
We have created a system of mutually complimentary logistics network bases to supply products where they are needed. It allows bases to substitute for one another during disasters to ensure optimal logistics.
④ Installation of onsite power generation equipment
We have installed onsite power generation to respond to disasters and power outages due to shortages, thereby establishing a system that can deliver products even during power outages.
■List of Centers with Onsite Power Generation
Ishikari Center, Kitakami Center, Sendai Center, Koshinetsu Center, Tsukuba Center, Saitama Center, Chiba Center, Yokohama Center, Kanagawa Center, Konan Center, Heiwa Center, Koriyama Center, Izumi Center, Kyushu Kita Center, Kyushu Minami Center
Improving Management Quality
We conduct ongoing education and drills so that employees can each act in accordance with their roles following the disaster response manual during disasters, and to create an organization culture that can proceed smoothly as an organization.
① Creation of a disaster response manual
We have created a manual for responding to expected damage based on stakeholders, management resources, and so forth (detailing initial responses, disaster command center, damaged bases, etc.). We regularly revise the content and identified risks.
② ARATA Disaster Prevention Day
We have designated ARATA Disaster Prevention Day to identify disasters and risks, and conduct BCP drills.
③ Awareness raising about disaster prevention
We have distributed the ARATA Disaster Response Pocket Manual, to enable employees to respond calmly and rationally in a disaster to protect their lives and safety. Moreover, we will strive to strengthen provision of disaster information and to raise awareness of steps to be taken at home by employees in coordination with ARATA Disaster Prevention Day.
