Mie Plant (MP)

Business activities

Production of tires for trucks and buses, passenger cars

Total site area

264,000 m2 ABINC→259,411m2

Number of employees

1,322 (as of December 2024)

Location

1038 Takabuku, Misono-cho, Ise City, Mie 516-8530, JAPAN

Contact for consultation and complaints

Operation Section
Tel: +81-596-28-3151 Fax: +81-596-28-3156

Message from the General Manager

Mitsugi Dairaku

Yokohama Rubber has established “Deal fairly with society and value harmony with the environment” as its basic environmental policy, and it aims to be “a company having world-class strengths in technologies for protecting the environment.” Our Mie Plant is located in Ise City: the divine capital located along the Miya River, Japan’s purest river. In doing business in this region, we have a strong desire to protect this abundance of nature and to continue to develop together with the community.

Since our plant’s acquisition of ISO 14001 certification in 1998, we have addressed environmental preservation through the full participation of our employees, such activities being centered upon our environmental management systems. Concerning preservation of the environment, we have conducted ongoing improvements due to the establishment each year of objectives for reducing environmental burdens. Special activities that we can be particularly proud of include the operational improvements and reductions with respect to resource usage amounts achieved by the “Waste Elimination Force,” a group mainly comprised of female employees, and the efforts of the “Frontline Support Team,” who have helped to transform support so that we can view manufacturing sites through the eyes of the customer. Furthermore, through the activities of the “Forever Forest Project” and we have also concluded a new “Kigyo no Mori (the forests created by companies)” initiatives with Watarai Town, Watarai District, Mie Prefecture from fiscal 2021. We have been creating forests and ensuring the conservation of water sources, such factors being valuable in the reduction of CO2, disaster-prevention and the protection of living creatures. The total number of trees planted thus far reached 31,147 with the 17th planting of seedlings in fiscal 2024.
Biodiversity conservation activities that have been underway since 2012 have been continued through each team's ingenuity while taking infection control measures during the coronavirus pandemic. They have also been working on their own self-imposed activities while also maintaining self-created biological encyclopedias and plant encyclopedias. We continue to enjoy our activities.
In January 2016, Yokohama Rubber's Mie Factory and Ise City signed an agreement regarding environmental education, and continued activities such as factory tours, tree planting experiences, and biodiversity conservation activities at the Mie Factory, targeting five elementary schools in Ise City. We look forward to hearing from you.

In addition, we have resumed active activities as local volunteers in cooperation with the government and neighborhood association.
We will continue our efforts to be a plant that is loved and trusted by people in the region.

Organizational Governance

Thorough compliance policies

All Mie Plant employees are issued with “compliance cards” and are familiarized with the Yokohama Rubber Group compliance guidelines, and with the availability of contact points for discussing compliance-related issues.
Compliance and Labor Union Representative committee meetings made up of managers are held monthly to report workplace inspection results, share information, and consider and implement stratified training.

Organizational self-corrective functions

We established a suggestions box in the plant’s cafeteria, enabling us to receive feedback from employees. In addition, as we continue to operate the employees' web-based consultation service, which was established independently by the Mie Branch of the labor union, we carefully handle the opinions and requests we receive and continue to work with the Mie Branch of the labor union to make the service useful for the sound management of the organization.
In addition, we conducted compliance training for managers and supervisors twice a year.

Human Rights

Education on respect for human rights

We distribute compliance cards to employees and promote the importance of respecting human rights.

Labor Practices

The basics of safety and health

In 2006, the Mie Factory acquired OSHMS (Occupational Safety and Health Management System) certification based on the JISHA (Japan Industrial Accident Prevention Association) method and has been promoting activities. Aiming to be a company with high.
We became the first domestic factory to obtain JISQ45100 certification in July 2024. We will promote this with the aim of improving social credibility, improving employee satisfaction, and strengthening market competitiveness. The factory's safety and health policy states, ``Ensuring the safety and health of workers is the basis of everything, and in order to prevent industrial accidents and create a workplace that is healthy and comfortable for both mind and body, we strive to improve occupational safety through consultation and participation of workers. We will implement and operate the hygiene management system appropriately and effectively, and build a workplace culture in which everyone prioritizes safety and health above all else.

Creating safe equipment

Using risk assessment methods, we are promoting the identification, evaluation and improvement of potential danger sources; we are also implementing measures that include the isolation of sources for danger from work areas and promoting the creation of people-friendly facilities.

Safety awareness

We pursue safety as a top priority under all circumstances. Specifically, we have shifted from collective guidance to individual guidance, and we conduct one-on-one safety education, dedicated safety time activities, and reviews of work procedures in open work observation.
In addition, we view successor development as a priority issue, and we are working to improve skills through various types of training.
We conduct activities suitable for the mind of each and every individual through thorough decluttering and organizing and the revitalization of communication.

Creating energetic workplaces

We publicly recognize and reward employees for positive contributions, regardless of their position or employment status, through various forms of recognition, even for small achievements. We also encourage employees to take risks and embrace challenges, which has led to numerous proposals and improvements originating from the field.
The Mie Plant slogan, "Returning Home with a Smile Every Day," emphasizes that the "health of mind and body" of each employee is fundamental. To promote health, we utilize a health app. Labor and management jointly plan and participate in "walking events" linked to the app, allowing employees to enjoyably improve their health awareness and address lifestyle-related diseases.
As part of our efforts to reduce smoking rates, we designate a Smoke-Free Day on company premises each month.
Additionally, we offer programs to support those who wish to quit smoking and conduct seminars by external organizations to promote smoking cessation.
To address employee mental health, we conduct and improve various workplace environment assessments. Labor and management jointly verify the effectiveness of these measures and work towards further improving the workplace environment. Furthermore, we collaborate with external organizations such as the Ise City Health Department and the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association to provide mental health care education, promoting a workplace where all employees at the Mie Plant can work "brightly, happily, and energetically."

Employment of people with disabilities

To expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities, we are strengthening our relationships with special needs schools and other related organizations. In 2024, we conducted six internships, with four students participating. As of the end of December 2024, we employed 22 people with disabilities, representing an employment rate of 2.53%. We will continue to work towards expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Environment

Environmental management

Environmental Policy

Our goal is to embody consideration towards the global environment according to the norm of “Deal fairly with society and value harmony with the environment,” which is declared in the management policy of the company.

  1. The Mie Plant, under the direction of senior management, works on measures taking the environment into consideration in all areas of our business.
  2. The Mie Plant works to deepen channels of communication with its stakeholders; it also promotes cooperation with the value chain and contributes to both the local community and society.
  3. In order to remain trusted by the community, we appropriately implement our environmental management system and continue our efforts to prevent environmental pollution and improve the environment.In addition, we will continue to reduce our environmental impact through chemical substance management, aiming for zero environmental risk.
    We observe applicable laws, regulations and agreements.
  4. We comply with related laws, regulations, agreements, etc., and continuously engage in environmental improvement activities.
  5. To maintain biodiversity, we strive to protect and revitalize the indispensable nature of the local ecosystem and the Miya River which runs into Ise Bay, and we also participate actively in community environmental activities.
  6. Aiming to maintain the trust of the local community by fostering harmony with the natural wonders of the divine capital of Ise, all of us working at the Mie Plant implement education and awareness raising.
  7. We shall value information from residents when carrying out regular plant improvements.
  8. To fully realize our environmental policy, we formulate environmental objectives and targets and draw up and implement environmental plans.
  9. This Environmental Policy shall be made public.

January 1, 2025
Mitsugi Dairaku,
General Manager,
Mie Plant, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.

Environmental data

Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions
  • The base year is de¬ned as 1990 except for HFC, PFC and SF6, where the base year is 1995 as per the Kyoto Protocol.
  • Method of calculation of greenhouse gases (GHG): this is in compliance with the “Calculation and Reporting Manual for Greenhouse Gas Emissions” issued by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
    Note that GHG emissions associated with purchased power were calculated using the Table of Emission Coeffi¬cients by Power Company (Ministry of the Environment).

Effective use of resources / Reduction of waste

Waste output
Water usage

Measures for discharge into water, air and soil

Data related to water contamination

Move the screen to the left or right to see the table information

Drain Item Regulatory values Voluntary standard values FY2024 results
Average Maximum Minimum
Mie Plant Drain 1 pH 6.0~8.0 6.5~7.8 7.2 7.3 6.8
BOD concentration (mg/l) 20 5 1.6 3.5 0.6
COD concentration (mg/l) 20 5 2 3 0.8
SS concentration (mg/l) 40 5 1.1 2 1
Oil concentration (mg/l) 2 1.6 0.5 0.5 0.5
Mie Plant Drain 2 pH 6.0~8.0 6.5~7.8 7.2 7.4 7.1
BOD concentration (mg/l) 20 5 0.6 0.9 0.5
COD concentration (mg/l) 20 5 1.5 3 0.9
SS concentration (mg/l) 40 5 1 1 1
Oil concentration (mg/l) 2 1.6 0.5 0.6 0.5
Air Pollutants (NOx, SOx)

Move the screen to the left or right to see the table information

Substance NOx SOx
Amount of emission (t/year) 53 19
Facility Substance Regulatory values Voluntary standard values FY2024 results
Average Maximum Minimum
Mie Plant
Cogeneration 1
SOx emissions (m3N/h)
NOx (ppm)
Soot and dust (g/m3N)
3.4
100
0.05
1
90
0.01
0.41
21.1
0.001
0.46
26
0.003
0.33
18
0.001
Mie Plant
Cogeneration 2
SOx emissions (m3N/h)
NOx (ppm)
Soot and dust (g/m3N)
3.4
100
0.05
1
90
0.01
0.42
17.1
0.001
0.5
25
0.002
0.36
11
0.001
Mie Plant Boiler 3 SOx emissions (m3N/h)
NOx (ppm)
Soot and dust (g/m3N)
1.0
130
0.1
1
120
0.01
0.02
54.5
0.005
0.02
56
0.005
0.01
53
0.005
Mie Plant Boiler 4 SOx emissions (m3N/h)
NOx (ppm)
Soot and dust (g/m3N)
1.5
130
0.1
1
120
0.01
0.04
61
0.005
0.04
68
0.005
0.03
54
0.005

Reporting on chemical substance management status

For all substances handled at our plant (raw materials, auxiliary materials, and supplies), we verify the presence of applicable chemical substances using Safety Data Sheets (SDS). For substances handled in quantities specified by the PRTR Law, we conduct annual reporting to the national and prefectural governments, as well as a safety impact assessment. Please refer to the Safety Assessment List for Domestic Production Sites for information on substances handled under the PRTR Law. Please refer to the Safety Evaluation Table of Domestic Production Bases.
In addition, to enhance the overall level of chemical substance management, we conduct compliance verification by implementing chemical substance assessment that covers risk of adverse impact on employee health, risk of explosion or fire in relation to equipment and machinery, and environmental risk.

Efforts for Biodiversity Conservation Activities

The Mie Plant draws its water from the Miyagawa River system, which is renowned as one of Japan's clearest rivers, and discharges it into the Hinokijiri River. To minimize the impact on these two rivers and the surrounding ecosystem, we have divided the area around the plant into three locations, with three teams dedicated to environmental stewardship activities at each location.

Team 1 focuses on the retention basin within the plant premises, which is primarily fed by equipment cooling water and rainwater. To replicate the original aquatic environment of the Miyagawa River system, we conduct wildlife surveys and conservation activities. We also provide this area as a venue for environmental education, such as the "Millennium Forest" tree planting experience and biodiversity conservation activities, for local children.
Team 2 conducts water quality surveys in the midstream of the Hinokijiri River, as well as observing southern Japanese rice fish and dragonfly species.
Team 3 focuses on Ominato Beach, which is a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), a species designated as endangered II in Mie Prefecture. We conduct beach cleanup activities and remove invasive species to conserve native coastal vegetation and assess the condition of the shoreline.
In addition, we conduct environmental outreach classes led by our employees for fourth-grade students at Minato Elementary School every year, and 2024 marks the 11th time we have held this program.

Tree Planting Experience for Elementary School Students

Surveys in the Hinokijiri River

Ominato Beach Outreach Program

Noise, vibration and odor

Noise

Noise management is implemented at the boundary of the premises of the plant (18 points) and autonomous measurement is conducted once a month.
In addition, measurements are conducted by an outside company twice a year at the boundaries of the factory premises (at four locations).

Vibration

Vibration management is implemented at the boundary of the premises of the plant (14 points) and autonomous measurement is conducted once a month.

Odor

Twice a year, external contractors conduct measurements at the factory site boundaries (4 locations).
Our response involves the installation of deodorizing vaporizers in building ducting.

Comments and information from local residents from the past and our response

Once a year, we hold a community meeting for local residents and environmental monitors near the factory to gather feedback and implement improvements.
We address information received from residents promptly and prioritize open communication.

Fair Operating Practices

Certification of new business partners

We have established guidelines covering human rights, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and our commitment to safety and environmental activities. These guidelines form the basis for our new supplier approval process, which includes interviews to ensure that we select suitable business partners.

Communication with business partners

As the secretariat for the Isuzu-kai, an organization of our suppliers, we hold meetings to explain our factory's safety and environmental policies and conduct study sessions to foster communication.
The Isuzu-kai also participates in local volunteer activities, such as the Seta River Tanabata Cleanup.

Consumer Issues

Safety and quality of our products and services

Using as a pillar the principle of “creating quality through the eyes of the customer,” at the Mie Plant we promote the continuous improvement of products and services by leveraging the quality management system ISO/TS 16949 (moved to ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 from June 2018) as our operational basis. We regularly confirm the effectiveness of this system through internal systems audits and external reviews that are conducted every six months.
In addition, by using “Quality Maintenance Activities” to ensure effective self-directed quality management throughout the entire production process, etc., we position quality as customer safety while working to ensure that all employees are conscious of the “eyes of the customer” being on them.
To provide our customers with environmentally friendly products, we are actively developing and producing tires with reduced rolling resistance, improved wear life, and superior retreadability. We are also increasing the production ratio of ultra-wide base tires, which contribute to reduced raw material and waste, as well as improved loading efficiency, to further minimize our environmental impact.

Community Involvement and Development

Relationship with local societies

Regional exchanges

February 10: Participation in Takamukai Taisha Festival
May 3: Fureai Festival
July 1: Exhibited at Takayanagi Night Store
July 13: Sponsored the National Fireworks Festival dedicated to Ise Jingu Shrine
September 22: Exhibited at Misono Town Fureai Festival
Banner support for local adult soccer club “FC Ise Shima”
We are focusing on regional exchange through the activities mentioned above.

Social contribution activities

As in previous years, we donated a portion of the proceeds from our Fureai Festival to the Ise City Council of Social Welfare.
Regarding blood donations in 2024, 103 people were able to donate blood during the three times in January, May, and October.
We have installed an AED-themed advertising display at Kintetsu Ise-shi Station, contributing to emergency preparedness.

Regional volunteers

Mar 8: Toshi Island Nasa Beach Cleanup
May 25: Zero-Waste Early Morning Cleanup: Isuzu River Bank and Oharai-machi Area
July 7: The 29th Annual Seta River Tanabata Cleanup
July 20: Ominato Beach Cleanup
Oct. 6: Exhibited at the Ise City Environment Fair
Nov 15: Toshi Island Nasa Beach Cleanup
Dec 3: Ise Jingu Marathon Water Station Volunteer

Opening of facilities

We have lent our grounds for use by a regional soccer club (ISE YAMATO).
Furthermore, we have been contributing to the development of boiler technicians for many years by providing our factory facilities for the Boiler Association's training sessions (twice annually).
In 2024, we received a letter of appreciation from the Japan Boiler Association for our long-standing contributions.

Environmental activities

FY2024 (17th period) - 5 tree-planting activities in the Forever Forest Activities
Apl 2: Corporate Forest Planting
Apr 26: Hinokijiri River and Hotosu River Cleanup
May 10: Ominato Beach Cleanup
Dec 9: Minato Elementary School Environmental Outreach Program

Corporate forest tree planting

Plant tour and workshop

In fiscal year 2024, we received numerous requests for factory tours, welcoming 20 companies, 5 elementary schools, and 9 other groups.

Please contact us below if you would like to participate in a plant tour and workshop.
Holding Day: Monday to Friday (Except for year end and New Year holidays, consecutive holidays in May and August)
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Sugihara, Operation Section, General Affairs
Tel: +81-596-28-3151