Publicizing and sharing policies and issues

In that it represents a combined location, the Head Office and Hiratsuka Factory hosts multiple business departments, production plants and R&D facilities. Close attention is thus paid to thoroughly publicizing policies and issues that involve the entire company. We also strive to improve communication.
We strive for smooth plant management by making the director's policies and safety and environmental policies known and by making various performances known and sharing topics, etc. at the monthly plant meeting.

Improved functionality through management systems

We appropriately operate safety and environment in accordance with OSHMS and ISO 14001 management systems. We also implement continuous improvement through the PDCA cycle in the management system.

Human Rights

We provide opportunities for all employees to take compliance studies and learn about respect for human rights.
In addition, the Corporate Compliance Department has distributed to each employee a compliance card that describes the "Action Guidelines" to be followed by all employees of the Yokohama Rubber Group, in order to raise the level of awareness of respect for human rights.

To ensure compliance with laws and regulations, we conduct monthly compliance training for each department, striving to increase employee knowledge and awareness.
In addition, in order to realize appropriate working hours, labor and management check working hours. At the same time, we hold a Labor-Management Working Hours Committee with the aim of properly managing work styles.
Furthermore, labor and management discuss improvement items and promote improvements, with a focus on improving the environment at manufacturing sites.

Promotion of gender equality

In fiscal 2023, the ratio of female staff in career-track positions stood at 24.8%.
We will continue to promote the hiring of female employees and promote work-life balance through the use of childcare leave and shorter working hours, the use of hourly paid leave system, flextime system and telecommuting system.

Promotion of employment of people with disabilities

As of the end of December 2023, the employment rate of persons with disabilities was 2.74%.
We will continue to promote the employment of people with disabilities and work to create a workplace environment where people with disabilities can work with vigor and enthusiasm.

Occupational safety and health management

Since the Hiratsuka Factory acquired Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) certification in July 2010, we have conducted OSHMS-based occupational safety and health management. This work has been mainly built around continuous risk assessment and KY (Hazard Prediction) activities, etc.
When new operational processes are introduced or changes are made to existing operations, we hold “open work observations,” which allow many employees to witness work practices and identify hidden risks. We do this so as to further work improvement that makes work practices even safer.
Furthermore, we comply with safety and health statutory requirements, and proactively promote both employees’ acquisition of qualifications and educational activities. We also work to develop human resources and prevent disasters.

Traffic Safety

In order to reduce the number of traffic accidents, we provide traffic safety guidance and conduct road safety seminars for all employees twice a year. Each month, we conduct traffic safety education and other activities at each workplace.
Furthermore, three times a year before long vacations, we raise awareness of traffic safety by showing an educational video about traffic safety in office. We are aware of our responsibility as a company that plays a part in the automotive industry, and are working to prevent traffic accidents.

Health management

We follow up to ensure that 100% of our employees receive the various medical examinations required by law, including regular medical checkups and special medical checkups.
Starting in 2023, specific health guidance will be provided by a public health nurse stationed in-house, allowing us to provide guidance that is more tailored to the needs of our employees than ever before.
We also provide mental health care to employees who have concerns about their work or private lives by offering counseling opportunities by Industrial counselors.

Environmental management

The Hiratsuka Factory continues to operate environmental management based on ISO 14001 environmental management system certification, which was acquired in July 1999.
From fiscal 2012, it converted to an environmental management system integrating the entire company as one site of Yokohama Rubber. We will continue to deploy activities based on the company-wide environmental policy.
As the Hiratsuka Factory holds a wide range of business organizations, from plants with different production methods to the technical research and development department of the entire company, it divides them into 11 environmental blocks to advance daily environmental improvement activities under the Hiratsuka Factory Environmental Policy in compliance with the company-wide environmental policy.

Environmental data

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions

Effective use of resources / Reduction of waste

Waste output

Water Usage

Measures for discharges into water, air and soil

Data related to water contamination

• In accordance with the Hiratsuka Municipal Sewerage Ordinance.

Air pollutants (NOx, SOx)

• In accordance with the Air Pollution Prevention Law and Kanagawa Prefectural Ordinance.

Reporting on chemical substance management status (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Law compliance)

The Hiratsuka Factory verifies whether secondary materials and auxiliary materials contain chemical substances subject to Safety Data Sheet (SDS)requirements, and in the case of substances where the amounts handled exceed the thresholds specified by the PRTR Law, annual reports are submitted to the national (or prefectural) authorities and safety impact assessment is performed.
Regarding the handling of substances pursuant to the PRTR Law, please refer to the Safety Evaluation Table of Domestic Production Bases.

We are also proceeding with measures based on legal revisions starting in 2023.

Pollution prevention

We have established self-administered values that are even stricter than regulated targets so as to strictly observe all environmental laws and ordinances concerning air pollution, water contamination and noise, etc. We take steps to monitor and measure these values.
Furthermore, to ensure that no sensory discomfort resulting from noise, vibrations and odors, etc. is caused to neighborhood residents, we have established monitoring points outside the factory grounds and are working to prevent such issues.
With respect to PCB waste within the factory, it is suitably handled in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.

Use of sustainable resources

We are taking steps to reduce overall volumes year-on-year by placing a top priority on the goals and targets of the ISO 14001 management system with respect to reductions in industrial waste, organic solvents, greenhouse gas emissions and water usage.

Alleviating and adapting to climate change

During "Energy Saving Month" in February and "Environment Month" in June, we set up priority measures in each of our original operations and report on energy saving achievements, while division managers of each block conduct environmental patrols.

Environmental protection, recovery of natural habitats

Since fiscal 2013, we have been conducting biodiversity conservation activities to protect water resources in the local Kaname River system. Employees have participated in a series of hands-on monitoring activities to examine the environment of the Kaname River, with a cumulative total of 346 employees taking part.
Currently, activities are being conducted in a satoyama in the city located upstream of the Kaname River.
Specifically, with the objectives of recharging the water source of the Kaname River and restoring the original landscape of the satoyama, we are conducting conservation activities in collaboration with local groups and university laboratories, including the installation of handmade biotopes, and monitoring changes in the ecosystem.
Furthermore, since FY 2017, we have installed a dragonfly pond on the Hiratsuka Factory premises as a familiar activity site to observe the connections among dragonflies and other living creatures.In March 2017, the Hiratsuka Factory received and updated the " Association for Business Innovation in Harmony with Nature and Community Certificate® (ABINC certification)" as a biodiversity-conscious plant in recognition of these biodiversity activities and the ongoing CO₂ absorption and fixation amount survey conducted in conjunction with the growth of the Yokohama Forever forest planted around the plant in 2007.

Impartial and fair selection of business partners

To ensure fair selection of suppliers, we conduct a survey on whether or not there are any personal relationships between the targeted suppliers and our employees when we hire new suppliers.
Other selection is based on economic rationality, taking into consideration the supplier's quality, price, supply stability, technological development capabilities, and CSR and environmental considerations.

Establishment of a “Procurement Code of Conduct” and its thorough implementation

With the “Basic Procurement Policy”, we prepared the “Procurement Ethics (Rules for Procurement Staff)” to indicate matters to be noted by procurement staff when conducting fair and impartial transactions and unethical practices that must not be engaged in. These ethics were combined with the “Basic Procurement Policy” to become the “Procurement Code of Conduct”.
We are working to ensure comprehensive awareness of compliance issues through workplace-based classes, which are held on a regular basis.

Deployment of CSR activities for business partners

At our Head Office and Hiratsuka Factory, we are deeply involved in all corporate activities such as planning, manufacturing, evaluation, and sales of the products and services we deliver to our customers.
We aim to realize a sustainable society together with our consumers in addition to tackling those tasks from the viewpoint of CS (Customer Satisfaction).
Therefore, we value the valuable opinions we receive from our customers and strive to expand our communication by disseminating information about our corporate initiatives through various means.

Contact Information for Inquiries

The contact information for inquiries is disclosed at the following address on our official website.
https://www.y-yokohama.com/global/contact/

Regional activities

Since the end of the COVIA-19, we have resumed participating in volunteer activities sponsored by local organizations, such as tree planting and riverside cleaning.

Disaster-prevention activities

In fiscal year 2023, following the head office integration, we conducted our first earthquake evacuation drill in September. All fire brigades were able to successfully navigate to the designated evacuation points and conduct roll call.
With regards to disaster preparedness activities with local communities with whom we have disaster prevention agreements, we did not engage in active activities due to concerns about the spread of infectious diseases, such as the Coronavirus.
We actively participated in powder fire extinguisher training and fire equipment handling training sessions organized by the Hiratsuka City Dangerous Goods Safety Association. We learned how to use fire hydrant equipment and acquired skills for rapid and accurate firefighting operations.

Regional contributions

• We continue to support Shonan Bellmare, a local J-League team, under our CSR partnership agreement.
• Once a month, employees carry out cleaning activities around the perimeter of the factory.

Regional exchanges

Hirazuka Manufacturing held an experiential environmental and eco-focused event, "Think Eco Hirazuka," from 2009 to 2019.
We have canceled regional communication meetings due to COVID-19, but we are preparing to resume them.

"Think Eco Hirazuka," an Experiential Environmental Event (2009-2019)

This event, "Think Eco Hirazuka," was a hands-on environmental experience designed to engage residents of the Hirazuka area of Kanagawa Prefecture. People could learn, play, and enjoy themselves while exploring environmental issues. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been suspended since 2020.
Currently, one of the event's previous activities, the "Biodiversity Panel Discussion," is being held online annually.

List of FY2023 Regional Contributions / Community Activities

Hiratsuka Factory History Tour

The event was canceled due to COVID-19, but we will be accepting applications from the second half of 2023.
We are restarting. We will continue to respond to your requests from 2024 onwards.

Volunteer activities

We conduct eco-volunteer activities at Shonan Bellmare's home games. Employees volunteer to remind visitors to separate their trash and replace and collect plastic bags before the match, at halftime, and after the match.

Provision of Yokohama Forever Forest seedlings

April 14, 2024: 1,144 seedlings for social welfare corporations

Support for education

We support Hiratsuka School for the Deaf and Hiratsuka School for the Blind as a member of their school management council.

Local event support, donations, and participation

Sponsor of the 71st Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Sponsor of the 71st Shonan Hiratsuka Fireworks Festival
Sponsor of the 26th Shonan Hiratsuka Go Festival
Donation to Hiratsuka City Youth International Exchange Project