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 April 2022 study session was held on the web due to the COVID-19 disaster.
The content of this meeting was the following 6 topics.

1. ESG Management
2. CSR Report and CSR Guidelines
3. Workplace Safety
4. Business Consultation Service
5. Mid-term Environmental Plan and Initiatives
6. Companies and Human Rights

Complaint resolution

There were no reports submitted to the Corporate Compliance Department in 2021, 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, and 118 risk level III cases were addressed in FY2023.

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

As part of our promotion of the employment of disabled people, we currently have one disabled employees working actively in the plant.
We will continue to implement improvements to create a barrier-free workplace, so as to foster the employment of disabled people.

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 plastics used in manufacturing processes.

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.

Thorough statutory compliance

The managers mainly responsible for placing orders with subcontractors have participated in seminars dealing with the improvement of subcontracting transactions. In addition, all personnel acting as subcontractor contact persons attended the subcontractor study sessions organized by the Indirect Materials Procurement Department that were held at the plant, reinforcing their understanding 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 10th CSR Study Meeting, the following information was shared.

1. Yokohama Rubber's CSR Activity Policy
2. Workplace Safety
3. Corporate and Human Rights
4. Supplier Consultation Desk

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 FY2022, we hired six new employees and six mid-career hires from high schools near the plant.

Regional contributions

Due to the COVID-19 infectious disease outbreak, events such as the Hatori Fureai Plaza and the Omitama City Fureai Festival were cancelled in FY2022 as well.
At the Green Festival 2022 held on November 23 in Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 100 saplings were provided free of charge as gifts for visitors at the booth of the Ibaraki Prefecture Forestry and Forestry Association.
The Otsuchi Gakuen "Furusato Department" tree-planting event, in which we are participating as volunteers, was held on April 28 while taking measures against COVID-19 infection, and 62 saplings were provided free of charge.
The provided saplings were planted in the Shonan International Village Meguri no Mori project and distributed as gifts to participants.

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 only conducted a tour for job seekers (high school students) in July 2022.
While looking at the situation of COVID-19, we are being promoted to communicate with neighboring areas.