Society

Brings Out the Best in Every Person
In the Medium-Term Management Plan FY2022-2024,
we returned to our founding principles and management

while they and the Company grow together.
We also identified “securing and training human

Strategic securing of human resources with aim of improving corporate value

philosophy. In addition to making everyone involved inresources” and “creating diverse, safe and secure

Hirata content, we decided on Jin-Go-Kou-Ken as a slogan

workplaces” as human resource-related materiality for

While each and every employee has been making thethe necessary functions and functions where there

the Group. We consider that efforts aimed at “securing

most of their expertise and individuality, the Groupis a shortfall, such as in human resources with digital

human resources, developing human resources, andhas been facing the challenges of new businesses,

technology expertise and business creation as well as

creating environments that bring out the best in every

technological innovation, high-set goals and challenges

management human resources.

person” will as a result lead to improvements in employeethat have led to sustainable growth.

from our desire to contribute to society by means oftechnology.
Aiming to improve both its corporate value andemployee engagement, the Group is actively working tocreate environments in which each and every employee

To enhance our ability to respond to changes in the

To further improve our sustainable corporate value

engagement.

can make the most of their expertise and individuality

business environment, we will also actively recruit diverse

and achieve our management strategies, we will work

human resources regardless of gender, age, nationality,

to recruit, train, and relocate highly specialized humanreligion, or whether they have a disability.

resources to strategically secure human resources for

Our Company Vision

Jin-Gi-Kou-Ken

人技幸献

To make everyone involved in Hirata content andcontribute to society by means of technology
Improvements in corporate value /Corporate growth

Improvements in employee engagement

Strengthening of human resource development and creation of environments inwhich employees can continue to take on challenges
Under the Group’s management philosophy of “bringing

rotations and reviews with regard to evaluations, we willout the best in every person,” we believe that creating

encourage not only human resources who possess highan environment in which each and every employee cantechnical skills and expertise but also the continuous

grow and maximize their abilities is the most importantdevelopment of global human resources and management

management issue.

human resources. In addition, by enhancing our self-

Going forward, we will reallocate human resources toStrengthening of human resource
Strategic securing of human resources
development and creation ofwith aim of improving corporate value environments in which employees cancontinue to take on challenges

Support for active participation ofdiverse human resources
Creation of workplaces where people
can work with peace of mind

development support system, we will actively work tofocus businesses to achieve our management plan andfoster environments and the climate in which each andaim to develop the human resources necessary for our

every employee can pursue their own dreams and goals,

growth from a long-term perspective. By means of training

improve their personalities and abilities, and continue toprograms that support the careers of diverse humanchallenge themselves to reach their potential.

resources and promoting the activation of staff change

Support for active participation of diverse human resources
Having identified Diversity & Inclusion as one of ourmost of their abilities and individuality, and bringing

material issues, we are supporting the active participation

together their diverse strengths, we will actively workof diverse human resources. By respecting the values of

not only for the well-being of individuals but also for theeach and every employee, increasing their motivation,

development of the organization and the sustainable

providing them with a place where they can make thegrowth of the Company.

• Current Initiative Status

38

Hirata Integrated Report 2022

Women

Senior Human Resources

Global Human Resources• Employment of human resources
regardless of gender• Enhancement of support systems forbalancing childcare/nursing care andwork• Dispatch to external training sessions
for female employees• While showing consideration for thework styles desired by senior humanresources, promoting the handing
down of excellent skills that makeuse of the knowledge and experience
they have cultivated over many years• Recruitment of human resources
regardless of nationality• In addition to training global humanresources by sending employees
from head office to Group
companies, conducting technicaltraining and personnel exchanges by
loaning them to head office (Japan)
from overseas Group companies

Hirata Integrated Report 2022

39

Society

Creation of workplaces where people can work with peace of mind
Giving top priority to health and safety, the Company

Health and Safety Policy• Summary of Previous Measures

has implemented a raft of measures to ensure that ouremployees remain healthy and active and to improve their• Ban on working on legal national holidays• Ban on overtime work on Wednesdays, the designated day when all
employees leave work on time
• Ban on overtime work after midnight• Annual paid leave can be taken in one-hour units

2015

work-life balance.
In 2020, we established health management
2016• Salary and bonus payment days are also on days when employees
leave work on time
• Overtime management changed from 30-minute unit increments to oneminute unit increments

2020• Health management centers established2021• Reduced prescribed working hours from eight hours to 7.5 hours• Began application of shift work on days when employees leave workon time• Systematic implementation of telecommuting

2022• Number of annual paid leave days required to be taken increased toeight days

centers, which are working on initiatives aimed at healthmanagement. The centers are staffed by professionals
with public health nurse qualifications and haveconsultation desks for mental and physical health.

Based on its Sustainability Basic Policy, the Hirata Group engages in the following with the participation of all
employees to ensure the health and safety of all people involved in the Group.
• We will give top priority to health and safety while
striving to develop and improve our occupational
health and safety management system.
• We will work to prevent accidents and disasters byconducting risk assessments, making improvements
based on the results, and providing health and safety
education.

• We will remain in compliance with occupational healthand safety-related laws and regulations and the healthand safety rules set by each Group company.
• Promoting the manufacture of safe and secure
products, we will meet the expectations of our
stakeholders.

In fiscal 2021, we were among the first in the
Kumamoto area to implement workplace vaccinations
with the aim of assisting in the prevention of COVID-19
infections among the many people involved with theCompany, including employees and their families,
suppliers, and local residents.

Toward Enhancement of Work-Life Balance

Health and Safety Promotion System
Based on its Health and Safety Policy, the Company has

In accordance with the size of its workforce, each

formed health and safety committees at all of its businessplant’s health and safety committee appoints generalist

sites, as is required by law. We have also formed ahealth and safety managers, specialist safety managers

company-wide health and safety committee to investigate

and health managers as well as industrial physicians andand deliberate on health and safety management on aother relevant personnel.

company-wide basis while promoting health and safety.
We are implementing measures with regard to work-life

to change their working hours (days when they leavebalance that are designed to achieve diversity in working

work on time)styles.

Labor and management will continue to work together• Ban on overtime work by setting days for leaving work

to implement measures for the improvement of work-on time (Wednesdays, salary/bonus payment days)

life balance. Starting with increasing the rate of male

Top Management
Company-wide Health and Safety Committee
Health and Safety Committee Office
Kumamoto Plant
Health and
Safety Committee

employees taking childcare leave, we will focus on• Eligibility for reduced working hours for childcare
expanded to include childcare for children up to the third

creating an environment and culture that allows each

grade of elementary school

employee to achieve a work-life balance that meets their• Prescribed working hours reduced from eight hours toindividual needs, such as by encouraging male employees
to actively participate in childcare as well as by volunteer

7.5 hours• Introduction of shift work system that allows employees

Kumamoto East Plant
Health and
Safety Committee

Shichijo Plant
Health and
Safety Committee

9.2%
7.4%

3.1%

safety committee’s remit includes reporting on the status

Childcare Leave Acquisition Rateof implementation, discussing measures to preventthe recurrence of accidents as well as the drafting and

9.5%
100%

100%

100%

100%

28%

25%

2%
2019

2020

2021

Percentage of women in management positions
Percentage of those in managerial positions who are women
Note: Managerial positions is total of managers and assistant managers

Hirata Integrated Report 2022

0.79
3

the health and safety committees at each factory work

3.4%

2018

1.19

setting of rules governing health and safety. Carrying out

5.6%

(FY)

2017
Male

conducted by directors every year, and strict checks are21%

carried out from the perspective of management.

24%

Furthermore, many people at the Company are

4%
7%

7%

2018

2019

Female

2020

2021

2

to ensure safety. Safety patrols of each factory are also

34%

12%

40

100%

kiken yochi (hazard prediction) training (KYT) at each site,

2.2%

2017

Occupational Accident Status

and improving health and safety patrols and conducting
5.3%

Collaborating company
health andsafety committees

activities and health promotion.

7.8%

6.1%

Kanto Plant
Health and
Safety Committee

Health and Safety Initiatives
Based on annual plans, the company-wide health andRatio of Women in Managerial Positions*Kansai Plant
Health and
Safety Committee

(FY)

Total

Note: Childcare leave acquisition rate: (Number of people who took childcare leavein the year in which a child was born ÷ Number of people with children born inthat year) × 100

commuting to work by private car, and incidences ofcommuting accidents are becoming a problem. Traffic safety

0.00

0
2017

2018

2019

0.39

0.40

1

1

2020

2021

(FY)

Number of accidents resulting in lost workdays
Lost workday injury frequency rate

education was therefore conducted online for all commuters
who commute by their own cars, and a comprehension test
was also conducted to improve traffic safety awareness.

Hirata Integrated Report 2022

41

Society

Product Safety/Quality Improvement
As the best partner for our customers, we will endeavor to deliver trustworthiness and satisfaction to thewhole world, being sure to embody various requests for quality, safety, and productivity.

Specific QMS Efforts

Quality Management• Utilization of PDCA quality management system• Implementation of ISO internal audits and quality

Having obtained ISO 9001 certification, the Company

management audits for our suppliers

carries out activities with PDCA in mind from order

Evaluating effectiveness and suitability through annual ISO

We have in place an ISO 9001-based quality control system that includes the promotion of measures to improve productacceptance, design/development, procurement,internal audits, the Company utilizes its QMS in its efforts

quality and safety.

manufacturing, assembly and shipping/packing processes

to prevent quality defects by providing corrective guidance

to continuous improvement based on the results ofas appropriate. We also conduct quality management

activities such as CS surveys and management reviews.

audits geared towards those suppliers with which the• Quality policy details• Quality Management Promotion Framework
Top management

We strive to improve quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction (CS)through continuous improvement of our quality management system (QMS).
(1) Provision of products and services that satisfy our customers• Improving technology and providing safe and highly productive products• Confirmation of contract details and sharing of information in documents• Establishment of system for handling complaints and thorough preventionof any recurrence• CS improvements(2) High-quality manufacturing• Reliability-ensuring designs based on theories and principles (reliability
engineering)• Reduction of quality risk through design reviews, verification, and validation• Reflection of product safety and Hirata Standard (Hirata internal standards)
in products• Product perfection improvements by inspection standard clarification• Thorough supplier and design change management• Improvements in management/enhancement activities and problemsolving capabilities using statistical management methods

Having established procedures in place for each

Company does business. Having built a system thatprocess and promoting standardization, the Company is

can guarantee the quality of each part incorporated inworking to stabilize quality and thereby prevent any risk ofour products, we are working to provide safer and more

a defect arising.

reliable products.

Chair of ISO Committee

Knowledge acquisition that leads to improvements in quality awareness andproduct reliability

Quality control managers

Office: Quality
Control Department(3) Establishment of standardization and commonality in high-mix. lowvolume production• Promotion of standardization• Promotion of commonality of parts• Promotion of unitization• Proactive development and management of products (mass produced
products)

ISO MonitoringTeam

We deliver trustworthiness and satisfaction to our customers. With
this in mind, we plan and implement a range of educational programs
that lead to improved quality awareness and product reliability. Product

ISO Committee: Division directors, Business
Unit general managers, divisional heads

safety education is provided by qualified safety assessors (Company
employees) by means of case studies. In fiscal 2021, we also held
seminars by outside lecturers on China’s GB standards and China
Compulsory Certification (CCC) systems as well as reliability education

Persons in charge of ISO management(Failure Mode & Effects Analysis [FMEA] basics).

In response to the large number of employee attending theseminars, we dispersed the venues to avoid crowding.

Number of times
implemented

Number ofparticipants

Quality control (QC) basic education (ISO 9001, QC procedures)

4

109

Education on changes in management

1

10

Product safety basic training (mechanical safety, electrical safety, product risk assessment)

9288

Seminar on China’s GB standards and China Compulsory Certification (CCC) systems(outside lecturer)*

1

129

Reliability education (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis [FMEA] basics)

2

100

Educational Programs for Improving Quality and Reliability (FY2021 results)

Quality Management System (QMS)
Customers

Procurement Manufacture Veriﬁcation• Conceptual design • Design review (DR)• Actual design• Design veriﬁcation

Joint
inspection

Shipment• Test run adjustments• Prototype evaluation

Do: Sales / Design / Procurement / Manufacturing / Inspection
Top management

Clariﬁcation of
responsibilities
and authorities

Management resource
investments(human resources/
infrastructure work
environment)

QMS process corrections/preventions

Product realization corrections/preventions

Development of management organization

Plan

Action: Measure implementation

Management review

Quality policy (policy development =target management)

Customer satisfaction (CS) /Complaint information

DesignVarious performance data

Receiptof ordersInstallation• Concept design (design estimate)• Production technique proposal

Veriﬁcations

Product requirement
review

SE

Issue ofordersVeriﬁcations

ProposalsRequests
Sales

ISO internal audit
Achievement status of quality targets
Process implementation status
Analyses of complaints/defects
Analysis of customer information

Check: Analysis / Evaluation* Conducting education including Group companies

Improvement System That Reflects Customer Feedback
Listening to opinions and suggestions through all

Satisfaction weighted average score (5 points max.)
FY2020

customers, we also conduct company-wide CS surveys

FY2021every year. Based on these valuable opinions, we are

Product Evaluation

FY2019departments that have opportunities to interact with

5
4

Corporate
Evaluation

3

Evaluation of person
in charge (Sales)2

striving towards product improvements and strengthened

1service support.
Evaluation of person
in charge (Design)

Service
Evaluation

Continuous improvement
Technology
Evaluation

42

Hirata Integrated Report 2022

Evaluation of person
in charge (Manufacture)

Hirata Integrated Report 2022

43Society

Supply Chain Management
To remain a company that is trusted and chosen by all stakeholders, including its customers and suppliers, the Groupalso fulfills its corporate social responsibility (CSR) in its procurement activities. We will also share the Procurement
Policy with our suppliers and work on responsible procurement activities and continuous improvement in accordancewith the Hirata CSR Procurement Guidelines.
Procurement Policy(1) In compliance with laws and ethics(2) In a fair and just manner as an equal partner with our suppliers(3) That give due consideration to human rights concerns and the reduction of environmental impact in the selection of
suppliers and procured items

Business Continuity Plans
As a result of conducting a self-assessment of BCPs

In recent years, when serious natural disasters such as

in the supplier CSR procurement questionnaire, theirearthquakes and floods have been occurring frequently, we

implementation status was found to be an issue. Going

have been promptly confirming the damage situation withforward, we will promote improvements designed to raise

our suppliers to minimize the impact on our production

the level of implementation.

activities.

Establishment of supplier whistleblowing contact point (supplier helpline)

CSR Procurement Initiatives
In addition to conventional items, such as quality,
performance, price and delivery, when procuring products,
materials, and raw materials, the Company adds requirementsfrom the viewpoints of the status of the supplier’s responseto the environment, labor environment, human rights andother matters. In this way, we are working to improve while
promoting CSR throughout the supply chain.
We conducted a CSR procurement questionnairetargeting the suppliers in the top 70% in terms oftransaction value (top 100 companies in domestictransaction value; response rate: 100%).
We also obtained confirmation from 98 companies
that they were in agreement with our CSR Procurement
Guidelines.
The results of the questionnaire revealed that the
average score for the Business Continuity Plan (BCP),
which is regarded as an important item in the supply chain,
was 2.9 points, which was lower than the other items. We
also recognized understanding the calculation of Scope 3 asan issue for the future in reducing GHG emissions into theenvironment.

First of all, we would like to ascertain the current
situation and work together with our suppliers to improve
the level. We have set a goal of reducing to zero thenumber of suppliers with evaluation points of 2.5 points orless out of a maximum of 4.0 by 2024.
When promoting CSR procurement questionnaires in theyears to come, we will conduct regular evaluations of the top
80% of domestic suppliers in terms of transaction value.

Company’s Compliance Department) will conduct an

and in accordance with the strengthening of governance,internal investigation and take corrective and preventive

the Company set up a supplier helpline on April 1, 2022,

measures. Strictly protecting the confidentiality of reports,

and posted the point of contact on its website. Based

the Company will not take any retaliatory action withon the information provided, the helpline secretariat (theregard to them.

ReportingmethodWe have set up a dedicated point of contact on our external website

https://www.hirata.co.jp/en/contact/

Those subject
to reporting

Suppliers (purchasers of goods, software, utilities, equipment, etc. necessary for our production activities)

Post-report
handling

Promptly conducting a factual investigation of the reported case, necessary measures, such as an order tocease and desist or recurrence prevention, to be taken if non-compliance proven

Aggregated Results from CSR Procurement Questionnaire
Labor

Response to Conflict Minerals*

4.0
3.5

3.6 3.0

Code of Conduct

Health and Safety

2.5

3.6

3.5

2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5

2.9

BCP

3.2

3.1

Environment

3.2

With regard to conflict minerals, which are illegallyminerals, we provide any information that we know in

exploited and mined and are a factor causing humangood faith.

rights violations as well as labor and other problems,* Conflict minerals: The term refers to minerals, among them tantalum(Ta), tungsten (W), tin (Sn), gold (Au) and cobalt, produced in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries,
which are regarded as a source of funding for armed groups that arecommitting serious human rights violations.

the Company is aware of and actively cooperates withinternational efforts to investigate and monitor their use.

Management system

EthicsProcurement Policy
Requests to Suppliers
CSR Procurement Guidelines

The CSR Procurement Guidelines were formulated with reference to the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Codeof Conduct Ver7.0. The Company formulated the Guidelines for the purpose of sustainable corporate activities
and the social development, to work together with our suppliers in adhering to the law on matters concerning theenvironment, the labor environment, and human rights, and to remain in compliance as well as to aim for sound andsustainable growth.

Policy well-known andunderstood among suppliersThis is a request to our suppliers to share the Company’s Procurement Policy and our CSR Procurement Guidelines.
We also ask our suppliers to take proactive measures.

Implementation of CSR
procurement questionnaires
Evaluation and feedback

Conducting questionnaire surveys of our suppliers concerning the status of their education with regard to the CSR
Procurement Guidelines and their requirements, we collect and analyze the responses we receive and provide
feedback. The questionnaire also includes a BCP survey. We are also planning to conduct an information security
survey.

Implementation of CSR
procurement audits

In response to the Revised Whistleblower Protection Act

Conducting on-site audits of our suppliers, we share the results with them and will ask them to make improvements,
to which we lend our support. We are planning to prepare audit materials in FY2022 and implement them fromFY2023.

In response to inquiries from customers relating to conflict

Respect for Human Rights
Based on its Sustainability Basic Policy, the Hirata Group has established a globally implemented human rights policy
to respect the basic human rights of all people involved in its businesses. Having established the human rights policy
consisting of the items listed below through a resolution of the Board of Directors, we apply it to all officers andemployees of our group while strengthening our efforts. We also ask for the understanding and cooperation of all ofour business partners, including our suppliers, with regard to our human rights initiatives.
Basic Approach to Human Rights
Complying with the laws and regulations applicable
to Japan and the countries and regions in which it
conducts business, the Hirata Group supports andrespects the Guiding Principles on Business and Human
Rights of the United Nations and other international
norms with regard to respect for human rights.

Human Rights Policy (Items only)(1) Prohibiting Forced Labor(2) Prohibiting Child Labor(3) Decent Working Hours(4) Adequate Wages andAllowances(5) Prohibiting Inhumane Treatment(6) Prohibiting Discrimination(7) Freedom of Association andRight to Collective Bargaining(8) Occupational Health and Safety

Realization of Sustainable Procurement

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45