CSR
The starting points of the Kyorin Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavors are to cherish life and contribute to society by contributing to better health, and Kyorin’s corporate branding that is aimed at making that philosophy a reality. For sustainable growth, Kyorin has made a commitment to medical workers, shareholders and customers to help bring about a happy society and will continue to work to realize that goal by providing trusted products and services, and by discharging its corporate social responsibility in the areas of environmental and industrial safety and hygiene and through activities that contribute to health and society.
Kyorin Pharmaceutical is implementing the following activities.
1. Preventing global warming
- The amount of fuel used is being reduced by installing cogeneration systems and using smaller boilers.
- Power consumption is being reduced by controlling air-conditioning settings to 27°C in summer and 21°C in winter.
- Eco-cars and hybrid vehicles are being used to improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions.
2. Reducing waste volume
The amounts of emission are being reduced and recycling promoted to achieve the ultimate goal of zero landfill.
3. Managing chemical materials
Management of substances covered by the PRTR law, and review to study ways of reducing amounts used and the use of alternatives.
4. Preventing atmospheric pollution
Measurement and control of the amounts of soot and smoke, NOx and SOx emitted by boilers and generators.
5. Preventing water pollution
Processing of wastewater, including by primary processing plants, management of pH, BOD and SS levels.
6. Preventing deforestation
Recycling of paper, using recycled paper, promoting paperless office.
7. Preventing destruction of the ozone layer
Expedited replacement of equipment that uses specified chlorofluorocarbons.
8. Preventing ground subsidence
Checking for ground subsidence and improved utilization of piped water.
9. Preventing contamination of soil and surface water
Tanks are being located above ground, oil barriers installed, and emergency response training implemented.
10. Noise reduction
Noise levels are being measured and responses prepared.
11. Preventing foul odors
Draft chambers are being installed and scrubbers used to remove odors.
In 2004 Kyorin Pharmaceutical obtained occupational health and safety management system certification (OHSAS 18001) for all production and reseach divisions, and in 2005 consolidated its ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 measures. The Rimedio Center of KYORIN Rimedio obtained ISO 14001 certification in 2008 and OHSAS 18001 certification in 2009.
1. Rate and severity of labor accidents
As a result of measures implemented to prevent labor accidents, the frequency and severity of such accidents are much lower than the industry average. There have been no fatal accidents since the start of operations.
2. Vehicle accidents
Despite setting a target of a year-on-year reduction of 10% in the number of vehicular accidents per branch, in fiscal 2008 there were 170 more accidents. Kyorin views this matter very seriously, and as such, is implementing various accident-prevention measures. For fiscal 2009, the Company has set per store targets that will hold accidents on a company-wide basis to no more than 113.
In recognition of the importance of its corporate social responsibility, the Kyorin Group is enhancing its corporate ethical standards and putting in place a system of compliance, in line with the approach set out below.
Basic Policy
An enterprise should pursue profits through fair competition and at the same time should be a force for the greater good of society.
Based on its corporate philosophy to cherish life and contribute to society by contributing to better health everywhere, the Kyorin Group will conduct its activities based on a high standard of corporate ethics, respecting human rights and observing all laws as well as standards of conduct and the spirit thereof.
Measures
To ensure the Group’s activities are based on a high standard of corporate ethics, the Company has drawn up the Kyorin Corporate Charter and the Kyorin Compliance Guidelines, and instituted a compliance committee.
- The Kyorin Corporate Charter was developed to set out matters of corporate ethics and compliance in accordance with our corporate philosophy, and serves as the starting point for our corporate activities.
- The Kyorin Compliance Guidelines complements the Kyorin Corporate Charter by clarifying the standards to be followed for sound, proper business activities.
- In March 2006, a compliance committee was established to provide overall supervision of corporate ethics and compliance systems. Each company establishment has a compliance promotion manager who is responsible for the understanding and instilling of corporate ethics and compliance.
In-house training courses are conducted to promote understanding of and instill corporate ethics and compliance.
1. Compliance managers arrange education and training courses on corporate ethics and compliance, which are conducted at each level of the organization on a companywide basis, and teaching activities are aimed at company officers and employees.
2. Understanding by, and instilling among, employees details relating to corporate ethics and compliance are being incorporated into the training by job function conducted by each division.
The passing of the Companies Act in May 2006 made it necessary to set up an internal control system.
Kyorin established a risk management committee in order to prevent risk, and to deal with any risks that do arise. Also, at each company establishment, a risk management promotion manager has been appointed to raise awareness relating to risk management.
Cherry blossom viewing party
The Kyorin Discovery Research Laboratories holds an annual party for viewing the blossoms on cherry trees that are more than 40 years old. As usual, this year's party had many participants. The occasion was also used as an opportunity to explain Kyorin’s environmental and occupational safety activities.
Summer evening parties
Each year, the KYORIN Pharmaceutical Development Research Laboratories and various plants hold summer evening parties to which local residents are invited. These are popular events, providing an opportunity to further promote understanding of the Company’s activities.
Local cleanup activities
For several years, the Okaya Plant has been a "foster parent" responsible for beautifying a section of the shore of Lake Suwa as part of the Lake Suwa Adoption Program.
Employees also help to keep the lakeside park clean. Employees of the Noshiro Plant participate in voluntary activities to maintain the "Kaze-no-Matsubara," a pine forest and recreational area that acts as a barrier protecting the locality from winds.
In our head office, employees participate on a voluntary basis in cleanup campaigns carried out twice a year by the local Chiyoda City authorities.
Public seminars
KYORIN Pharmaceutical provides highly regarded public lectures at its branches and offices. Currently, seminars are being conducted relating to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), from which increasing numbers of elderly people are suffering. Wherever they are held across the nation, these seminars draw large numbers of attendees who can hear advice from experts on COPD symptoms, how to stop smoking, and other related matters.
Distribution of Doctor Salon booklets
Radio Nikkei broadcasts Doctor Salon, a program aimed at physicians. These broadcasts have been compiled into booklets, which KYORIN Pharmaceutical’s medical representatives distribute during their monthly calls on doctors. A wide range of diseases are covered, providing timely coverage of topics in the news, making the booklets very popular with primary care physicians.
Supporting sporting events
The Kyorin Group supports sporting events that help to promote health. Starting in the fiscal year under review, the Group has also become a co-sponsor of the Giants Academy, where members of the Yomiuri Giants baseball club provide year-round baseball instruction to children. We also co-sponsor the Giants' Cup.
Employee voluntary community/health activities (Kyorin Smile Program)
The Kyorin Group launched its corporate branding program in March 2006. To help achieve a happy society, the aim of the corporate branding program is to change the awareness and actions of each and every employee by promoting the Kyorin Smile Program, a set of employee initiatives for making a contribution to society and people's health. The activities in this program include giving blood, local beautification schemes and monetary donations.
In fiscal 2008, the Kyorin Group donated a total of ¥200,039 contributed by employees to Unicef. This money is being used for funding a sanitation improvement project in Burkina Faso in West Africa. The Group also collected 2.0 kilograms of used stamps, which were donated to the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP). The stamps will be used to help fund White Ribbon Campaign activities aimed at protecting the lives of mothers and babies throughout the world.