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 operations by disseminating the Director's policy and safety/environmental policies, and by sharing various performance metrics and topics through monthly manufacturing site meetings.

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

End of March 2025, the ratio of female staff in career-track positions stood at 25%.
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 2024, the employment rate of persons with disabilities was 2.61%.
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

To reduce traffic accidents, we conduct traffic safety training for all employees twice a year. Each month, we also promote traffic safety awareness in each workplace.
Furthermore, to raise awareness of traffic safety, we broadcast educational videos on traffic safety through digital signage before each of the three annual long holidays. As a company playing a part in the automotive industry, we are committed to preventing traffic accidents.

Health management

We are working towards 100% participation in legally mandated health checkups, including regular health checkups and special health 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 10 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 promptly implementing measures to comply with legal revisions.

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, we strive to prevent sensory pollution such as noise and odors affecting local residents through voluntary monitoring and measurement. Regarding PCB waste within the site, disposal of all high-concentration items has been completed. Currently, low-concentration PCB waste is being properly stored and reported in accordance with laws and regulations, and we are proceeding with disposal processing.

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 Conservation Month" in February and "Environment Month" in June, we set priority initiatives within our regular operations, report on energy conservation achievements, and conduct energy conservation patrols led by department heads in each division.

Environmental protection, recovery of natural habitats

Since 2008, we have been conducting birdwatching activities to understand biodiversity from the perspective of wild birds. This serves as an indicator for assessing the contribution of the "YOKOHAMA Forever Forest" project, which began in 2007, to the natural environment.
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 COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we have resumed participation in volunteer activities such as tree planting and coastal cleanup, organized by local organizations.

Disaster-prevention activities

In June 2024, we conducted a joint disaster prevention drill with our company's self-defense fire brigade/disaster prevention team and the Hiratsuka City Fire Department. On the day, representatives from neighboring community associations, hospitals, schools, and other organizations with whom we have disaster support agreements also attended.
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

We are preparing to resume both our "Local Communication Meeting" and our hands-on environmental and eco-focused event, "Think Eco Hiratsuka," which had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes reviewing and revising the event content.

・"Think Eco Hirazuka" Special Website
https://www.y-yokohama.com/thinkeco/

List of FY2024 Regional Contributions / Community Activities

Hiratsuka Plant Factory 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 2025 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 8, 2025: 1,567 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 72st Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Sponsor of the 72st Shonan Hiratsuka Fireworks Festival
Sponsor of the 27th Shonan Hiratsuka Go Festival
Sponsor of the 12th Hiratsuka Citizen's Sports Festival
Sponsor of the Hiratsuka Industry FES
Donation to Hiratsuka City Youth International Exchange Project