Decision-making processes and structures

The following three items have been established with respect to the structuring of the plant’s safety culture:

1. Greet your guests properly
2. Keep your appearance neat and tidy
3. Be sure to point and call properly

With respect to the plant’s safety, environment and quality policies, such are established in accordance with corporate policy. Concerning their orientation, such is decided through the meetings system.

Consideration of human rights by suppliers

The event will be held online in May and June 2023. The content this time was the following seven items. ①Partnership Building Declaration　②Regarding revision of CSR guidelines　③About Yokohama Rubber Human Rights Policy　④About environment-related topics　⑤Regarding logistics 2024 issues, etc.　 ⑥Regarding labor telework, etc.　 ⑦About cyber security measures

Complaint resolution

There were no reports submitted to the Corporate Compliance Department, and no consultations requested.

Creating a safe and healthy workplace environment

Based on the recognition that the basis of corporate activity is assuring the safety and health of both our employees and those of cooperating companies, Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) certification in accordance with Japan Industrial Safety & Health Association (JISHA) standards was obtained, and safety and health management has been implemented. This was done as a means by which to realize a safe, comfortable, and healthy workplace.
As a future company-wide plan, we are considering a mid-term transition to ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System), and this plant will be preparing for the switchover in October 2025.
In addition, each section is conducting risk assessment and risk reduction activities for existing facilities. 12 risk level IV and V cases were addressed in FY2022.
Regarding risk level III, we implemented 98 measures in fiscal 2023, and will continue to implement measures in fiscal 2024.

Circle activities

We reduce all kinds of losses such as reduction of equipment breakdowns, quality defects, and improvement of workability. And, circle TPM improvement activities are being conducted to allow employees to make their own workplaces more comfortable and easier to work at. We are working to vitalize these activities through the holding of events including regular announcements on the results of improvements and bulletin board contests.

Human resources development and training

Work training is undertaken by our assignment of more senior workers to instruct both new hires and fixed-term employees. This one-on-one training increases individual skill levels because training results can be reviewed and revisited.
In addition, veteran employees systematically provide guidance on employee skills to ensure that product manufacturing skills are passed down from generation to generation.

Promotion of employment of people with disabilities

To promote employment, we visit nearby special needs schools and share information.

Work-life balance

Two days a week, Wednesdays and Fridays, have been established as days with specified hours for leaving work.

Environmental data

Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions have been gradually decreasing since fiscal 2010.

Effective use of resources / Reduction of waste

Waste output

From fiscal 2006, we have continued complete zero emissions.

Waste landfill

In fiscal 2007, we achieved a recycling rate of 100% and we have maintained that rate since.

Water usage

The plant uses 400,000 tons of water a year.
Sources consist of underground water of about 90% and city waterworks of 10%.

Measures for discharge into water, air and soil

Data related to water contamination

The plant discharges about 430,000 tons of wastewater a year into the Sonobe River.

• Ibaraki Prefectural Ordinance and Environmental Protection Agreement with Omitama City
• Discharge point: Sonobe River

Soil contamination

We conduct groundwater analysis (shallow well) once a year and confirmed that the standard values were within the laws and the ordinances of Omitama City.

Air pollutants (NOx, SOx)

Measurements are conducted twice a year, and we have confirmed that the results are within the standards set out in all laws and in Omitama City Ordinances.

• The Air Pollution Control Act and Environmental Protection Agreement with Omitama City.

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

The Ibaraki 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.

Noise reduction

Noises are measured at 15 places on the border of the plant premises once a month. We can confirm that the results are within the standards set out in Omitama City Ordinances (below 55db).

Preventing pollution

So as to prevent risks to the environment, once a year we conduct drills and tests in response to predicted emergency scenarios (such scenarios include oil leaks occurring from heavy oil storage tanks and solvent cans being upset during transportation, etc.).

Industrial Waste Reduction Initiatives

To reduce industrial waste, we promote activities to reduce product and semi-finished product scraps and waste separation mainly by each process manager. We are working to reduce the amount of waste by recycling waste plastic generated during the manufacturing process and reusing some of the waste secondary materials as packaging materials.

Alleviating and responding to climate change

As energy saving activities, we are promoting the use of LED lighting, improvement of air conditioning efficiency by adopting MiRACLE coils, and horizontal deployment of heat insulation and heat retention.
We also conduct energy conservation patrols every month and continue to make repairs mainly to air, steam, and water leakage points.
During Energy Saving Month activities, all employees participated in energy saving promotion activities, making suggestions and improvements related to energy waste.

Environmental protection, and recovery of natural habitats

Concerning the Sonobe River into which discharges from this plant flow, biodiversity protection surveys have been conducted at a frequency of two times a year. During these surveys, we have monitored water quality, aquatic life, plants and birdlife, etc. We have also taken steps to eliminate certain species of introduced plant and aquatic life.
In addition, starting in 2019, we have organized a new "Survey on the Living Environment of the Grey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus) " to survey the vegetation and small animals (amphibians and reptiles) in the plant, focusing on the Grey-faced buzzard, which is as a Vulnerable, as one of the indicators for environmental conservation.
With the cooperation of the Omitama Wildlife Society and the Wild Bird Society of Japan, Ibaraki Prefecture, we will continue to exterminate and monitor invasive alien species three times/year.
The company continued these activities, receiving recognition for its efforts with the ABINC Excellence Award in April 2023. In October of the same year, the company achieved the Natural Coexistence Site (OECM) certification, a first for the Yokohama Rubber Group.

Thorough statutory compliance

Submitted an internal audit under the Subcontract Act by the Materials Procurement Department. All contact staff participated in an online seminar on subcontracting transactions sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to deepen their awareness of legal requirements.

Consideration of supplier labor, safety and workplaces

Business dealings are conducted that are fair, transparent, openly competitive and suitable.

Thorough compliance

At the first Procurement Headquarters CSR supplier briefing session, ①Partnership Building Declaration　②Regarding revision of CSR guidelines　③About Yokohama Rubber Human Rights Policy　④About environment-related topics　⑤Regarding logistics 2024 issues, etc.　 ⑥Regarding labor telework, etc.　 ⑦About cyber security measures As part of our in-house training, we conduct "Compliance Workplace Learning" (once a month).

As education within the company, we hold compliance seminars at a frequency of once a month.

Responses to complaints

If any complaints are raised about products, we quickly collect the actual item and investigate the causes and prepare reports to make a response satisfactory to the customer.

Coexistence and shared prosperity with the local community

We had planned to hold a round-table discussion on biodiversity conservation activities, but due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we decided to postpone the meeting in the plant and distribute related materials.

Employment creation

In FY2023, we hired seven new employees and six mid-career hires from high schools near the plant.
The company is actively promoting employment opportunities for senior citizens in the local community. Currently, five individuals from the Silver Human Resources Center are working at the company.

Regional contributions

The company donated a total of 157 seedlings to the non-profit general incorporated association Silva in April and November, which were planted in the Shonan International Village Forest Project. In July, 106 seedlings were donated to supplement the mound planted during a "Hometown Studies" class at Otsuchi Gakuen, where they were used for replanting.

Discussion for local residents regarding our activities to help safeguard biodiversity

Although we had planned to hold a meeting with local residents to discuss biodiversity conservation activities, we decided to hold the meeting in writing, considering the safety of local residents as our first priority.

Relationship with local societies

As part of our efforts to foster close communication with local government authorities and local corporations, we attend the regular meetings of the local corporation association to exchange views and share information with the Mayor, local councilors and the managers of other local corporations. (The annual meeting hosted by the Minosato Area Business Liaison Association, February: 13 companies participated in writing) hosted by the Minosato Area Business Liaison Association, February: 13 companies participated in writing)

Plant tours

We held tours for job seekers (high school students) in July 2023, and social studies tours at nearby elementary schools in September and November.