Corporate Governance and Compliance

The Mishima Plant has also developed its activities in line with Yokohama Rubber's important task of becoming "a company that contributes to the earth, earning the unwavering trust of society. In addition, as a priority issue of reducing environmental risks and contributing to the local community while strengthening the environmental management system, we are deepening communication with stakeholders, preventing environmental pollution and sensory pollution, regularly reviewing past environmental troubles and near misses, and continuously promoting environmental improvement through proactive management.

Corruption prevention

In working to give employees a thorough understanding of our compliance policies as such relate to the prevention of quality fraud, education in compliance issues has been conducted for the entire workforce.

Education on respect for human rights

We distributed “compliance cards” to all employees so as to enlighten and educate them about human rights.
In addition, we conducted compliance education related to human rights to ensure understanding and thoroughness.
We offer employment irrespective of gender, age or disability.

Promotion of employment of people with disabilities and workforce diversity

Currently, we have 17 employees with disabilities.
As of December 2024, of a total of 673 employees at the plant, 30 are women, and 38 are elderly individuals (persons aged 60 or over).

Occupational safety and health

Recognizing that the safety and health of our employees and partner staff are fundamental to our business activities, we obtained OSHMS (Occupational Safety and Health Management System) certification in November 2010. In fiscal year 2025, we plan to acquire JISQ45100, which incorporates "Japan's unique safety and health activities" into the international standard ISO45001. Based on 3S activities and pre-work KY (Kiken Yochi Training) with the participation of all members, we identify risks through risk assessment activities, reduce those risks through countermeasures and improvements, and promote safety and health activities.

Employee diversity

In 2024, 1 employees took nursing care leave and 9 employees took parental leave.

Work-life balance

The second and fourth Fridays of even month are designated as “Happy Family Life Days,” and employees are encouraged not to work overtime on these days.

Human resources cultivation and training in the workplace

In order to improve the knowledge and skills necessary for employees, we provide rank-based training based on years of experience and position. A plan is made so that the target person can take the course at the appropriate timing, and the content is not just a passive lecture, but is tailored to the target person so that they can think on their own and step up. We conducted education and training for a total of 65 people, including 58 people in group training and 7 people in Mishima Factory's own role training.
Additionally, we assign a trainer to each new employee and provide full support until they are able to work independently. Furthermore, we follow up on a daily basis not only on the technical side, but also on a system that helps resolve concerns and anxieties.

Environmental management

To minimize our environmental impact, we are focusing on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, industrial waste discharge, volatile organic compound (VOC) usage, and water consumption as key priorities. We are actively improving production processes and implementing energy-saving initiatives. In addition to legal compliance, we have established and operate within our own self-imposed limits for regulated substances.
Among our efforts to contribute to the environment in the local community, the YOKOHAMA Forever Forest project, which is a company-wide activity, involves planting 29,646 trees (as of December 2024). We support the creation of forests.

Kakegawa City seawall “Creating a Forest of Hope”

As an off-site biodiversity conservation effort, we conduct team activities in the Goten River, a Class 1 river located west of our factory. We monitor water quality and observe aquatic life upstream, downstream, and at the discharge point of our factory's wastewater. We have identified various species, including damselflies (e.g., Mnais costalis), dragonfly larvae (e.g., Sieboldius albardae), fish (e.g., Zacco platypus, Nipponocypris temminckii, Silurus asotus), and reptiles (e.g., Pelodiscus sinensis, Mauremys reevesii, Trachemys scripta elegans). Furthermore, within our factory grounds, kingfishers (the symbol of Mishima City) nest, and common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) also visit.
These observations confirm the presence of a diverse ecosystem, and we are actively engaged in conservation efforts, including the removal of invasive species. However, we also recognize the significant amount of litter discarded into the river. Following our monitoring activities, we conduct river cleanups to contribute to the beauty and health of the Goten River. In May 2019, we signed a "River Friendship" agreement with the Shizuoka Prefectural Numazu Civil Engineering Office and Mishima City, committing to the restoration of vegetation and the creation of a suitable habitat for aquatic life in the Goten River. After 10 years of dedicated effort since starting in 2013, Mishima Baikamo (Ranunculus nipponicus var. mishimanus) has finally taken root downstream of our factory's discharge point, blossoming beautifully underwater for the first time.

Wildlife observed on factory grounds and in the Goten River

Environmental data

Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions

Effective use of resources / Reduction of waste

Measures for discharge into water, air and soil

Data related to water contamination

The water used at the plant is discharged into the Goten River after being treated in the plant’s treatment facilities.

• Agreement on Environmental Protection with Mishima City; Star marks are according to the Water Pollution Prevention Law. (regulatory value of BOD is the max. concentration)
• Discharge point: Goten River

Air pollutants (NOx, SOx)

• According to the Air Pollution Prevention Law and recommended values set by Mishima City.
• 1 Data are expressed based on a 16% oxygen content conversion value.
• 2 Data are expressed based on a 5% oxygen content conversion value.

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

The Mishima Plant 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.

Relationship with business partners

On Aug 2th and Aug 5th, 2024, the first supplier briefing session was held online, jointly sponsored by the Raw Materials Procurement Department and the Materials Procurement Department.

• Target: All business partners of Yokohama Rubber
• Key topics: YRC Mid-Term Management Plan (YX2026), Human Rights Initiatives, Carbon Neutrality, Antitrust Compliance, Information Security Measures, and Risk Management Initiatives.
• Number of participants: 726 companies (47 major business partners of Uchimishima Factory)

Participants received the presentation materials in advance, and a Q&A summary will be distributed after the session.
The survey results showed that participants gained a deeper understanding of Yokohama Rubber's initiatives, with many positive comments regarding the clarity of the presentation. Some respondents requested more concrete examples of our initiatives, which we will incorporate into future presentations.

Communication with customers

To customers who tour the plant, we introduce our acquisition of the Automotive Industry Quality Management System Standard ISO/TS 16949.
Furthermore, in response to inquiries received from customers to whom we have delivered products, we make reports to them based on our quick investigation of the relevant matters.

Responses to comments and complaints received

We hold local resident meetings twice a year (spring and fall). We offer factory tours and explanations of our environmental initiatives for people who live near the factory and environmental monitors. Following measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the event was held on a small scale starting in 2022, and in 2024, 3 people participated. At the Mishima Factory, the Environmental Management Secretariat acts as a point of contact for local communication. We ask for the cooperation of 28 households (as of December 2024) from among those living in the four towns surrounding the factory as environmental monitors, and visit once a month. In fiscal 2024, we conducted visits and sent direct mail, making 329 visits (of which 106 were dialogues). Much of the content was related to noise and odors. Regarding efforts related to sensory pollution, we are promoting soundproofing to prevent noise, and to prevent odors, we operate three deodorizing devices that spray water 24 hours a day during operation. By making improvements while incorporating explanations and opinions on environmental issues, etc., we achieved zero external complaints in fiscal 2024.

Relationship with local societies

• We are participating in the cleaning service of Mishima City Park "Rakujuen" sponsored by the Mishima District Environmental Conservation Promotion Council, with 67 participants in FY2024.（Twice a year, held in May and October）
• We carry out cleaning activities around the factory once a week.
  （Main gate of the factory - around Mishima Futsukamachi Station and main gate of the factory - around the employee parking lot）
• We hold blood drives twice a year at our offices, with the cooperation of our employees and those from partner companies. In 2024, 93 people participated.
• As a cooperating business with the fire brigade, we have registered seven members by function with the Mishima City Fire Brigade, and we continue to have a system in place to respond to fires in the area.
• Out of 68 qualified people, 27 people took the Standard Lifesaving 2 course in fiscal 2024. Of the 227 people who have experience in CPR and AED, 8 are qualified first aid instructors and four promoters.

Plant tours and workshops

In fiscal 2024, we accepted 67 factory tours, with a total of 643 people (+105 people compared to the previous year) visiting the Mishima Factory.

Plant Tour Information

Due to production line expansion work to increase motorsport tire production capacity, we will not be accepting factory tours for the time being.