S :Society
Coexistence with local communities

Local Communities

KPI Responsible Departments Our position and Targets Review of FY 2023 Activities Introduction of Initiatives Future challenges

KPI

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Item FY 2022 results FY 2023 results
Implementation rate of community activities and dialogs (Consolidated) 100% (Consolidated) 100%
Businesses with a negative impact on the local community (Consolidated) 0% (Consolidated) 0%

Responsible Departments

Each business location
  • The Corporate Social Responsibility Planning Department and Environmental Protection Promotion Department serves as a secretariat for the deployment of policies and sharing information.

Our position and Targets

Why is “Engagement with Local Communities” a critical issue to be addressed?
Explanation of the reason and background

The Yokohama Rubber Group currently conducts production activities in 39 countries. If the Group commenced operations or withdrawals from any region, it will have a social impact on the community in terms of the environmental impact, employment, etc. Because that impact varies depending on the circumstance of each region, we believe that it is extremely important for the Group's sustainable management to consider how to expand the positive impact and reduce the negative impact while engaging with local communities, and to then take action accordingly.

Vision and targets

As a globally active business, we relate to local communities in a number of domains - the natural environment, law, culture, customs and the economy. We will strive to build a healthy relationship for various local communities together with our both domestic and overseas offices. The following three points are aimed for as the vision for 2026.
  • Building a trusted identity together with local communities
    To achieve this, we will use various forms of engagement and focus on issues and development in the local communities.
  • A worldwide system is in place to apply what stake holders have to say.
  • We have planted a total of 1.50 million trees and saplings worldwide in 2030.

Measures for vision achievement

The following approaches will be considered from various perspective to achieve our vision.
  • Social gatherings with local residents as a form of communication in local communities will be held twice a year as a general rule.
  • WWe are conducting activities in cooperation with local NGOs at production and R&D bases in Japan* where biodiversity conservation activities are being commenced. We conduct biological monitoring while receiving instructions on matters such as the names and ecology of wild birds and aquatic organisms from chapters of the Wild Bird Society of Japan and nature conservation organizations.
    ・・・Review of FY 2023 activities (1)
  • At ThinkEco Hiratsuka, an environmental event held at Hiratsuka Factory, we held a panel discussion on biodiversity and discussed together with local residents how Yokohama Rubber can protect and improve area waterways.
    ・・・Review of FY 2023 activities (2)
  • Seedlings raised as part of the YOKOHAMA Forever Forest Project activities are provided to schools, social welfare facilities, NPOs, etc. that conduct tree planting activities in the region.
    ・・・Review of FY 2023 activities (3)
  • As the disaster area reconstruction support in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, we have conducted tree planting activities in an embankment called the “Heisei Forest” from 2012 to 2015, in order to support the creation of a “Forest That Protect Lives”, which is one of reconstruction plans of Otsuchi Town, Shimohei County, Iwate Prefecture. Since 2014, we have also supported forest development and afforestation activities as part of the Furusato Class programed at Otsuchi Gakuen (including the former Otsuchi Elementary School).
    ・・・Review of FY 2023 activities (4)
  • The volunteer activity support program and volunteer leave system have been established to support employee volunteer activities.
    ・・・Review of FY 2023 activities (5)
  • The Yokohama Magokoro Fund launched in May 2016 enables employees to put aside funds from their monthly salary which can be donated to organizations including NPOs, NGOs, or social welfare corporations in support of their efforts in social welfare, educational support in poverty regions, and environmental conservation activities; or to disaster relief funds in the event of a natural disaster. Yokohama Rubber provides support through matching gifts contributing the same amount of the money done by the fund.
    ・・・Review of FY 2023 activities (6)
  • We support the maintenance of infrastructure and services in various countries and regions in which we operate sites. We support volunteer efforts for restoring areas affected by flooded rivers, manufacture school play equipment and toilets, and supply devices for cleaning rain water.
  • Mie Plant, Shinshiro Plant, Mishima Plant, Onomichi Plant, Ibaraki Plant, Nagano Plant, Hiratsuka Factory, Yokohama Tire Retread Hokkaido Office, Saitama Office, and Nagoya Office, D-PARC, Aichi Tire

Review of FY 2023 Activities

The following measures were conducted during FY2023.
(1) Yokohama Rubber is committed to biodiversity conservation at all of its production facilities, both in Japan (12 locations) and overseas (9 locations). In fiscal year 2023, the company continued its ongoing biodiversity initiatives, which include:
  • Wildlife surveys and monitoring
  • Removal of invasive species (through uprooting and other methods)
  • Coastal cleanups
(2) Yokohama Rubber hosted its 9th annual Biodiversity Panel Discussion, focusing on the theme "Our Conservation Efforts Contributing to Global Goals: Utilizing Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)." The event, which was held both online and in person, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including employees from Yokohama Rubber and its subsidiaries, government officials, local residents, and representatives from environmental NGOs.
The panel discussion featured a keynote address by Mr. Shinichi Takagawa, Chief of the OECM Task Force at the Nature Conservation Society of Japan. The event then focused on Yokohama Rubber's efforts to create a factory environment that supports the habitat of the Japanese sparrowhawk (Sashiba) at the company's Ibaraki factory. This presentation sparked a lively discussion among participants.
In March 2024, Yokohama Rubber hosted its 10th annual Biodiversity Panel Discussion, focusing on the theme "Our Efforts Towards New Global Goals."
(3) In the YOKOHAMA Forever Forest Project, 28,597 seedlings were provided during 2023, for a cumulative total of 527,261 seedlings.
(4) Tree planting has been postponed for two years due to the spread of COVID-19 infection, but on April 28, 2022, together with 79 children from Otsuchi Gakuen (4th grade elementary school) in Otsuchi Town, Kamihei District, Iwate Prefecture, we planted approximately 530 seedlings in the "Heisei no Mori" mound at the Otsuchi Sewage Treatment Center after learning the meaning of tree planting. This was the final tree planting at the Heisei-no-Mori mound, which began in 2012. From FY2022, we began weeding activities of tree mounds that were planted by children together with the Otsuchi NPO and volunteer organization council members. We will be working with the local community for mound maintenance for three years, when weeding activities are no longer required.
(5) Yokohama Rubber's "Volunteer activity support program" provided assistance to 17 employee-led volunteer initiatives in 2023. These initiatives included:
  • Supporting an NGO that provides clothing and school supplies to impoverished communities in the Philippines by collecting and donating items gathered by employees.
  • Participating in tree-planting events across Japan.
  • Supporting disaster relief efforts in affected regions.
(6) Various sites supported the maintenance of infrastructure and services in various regions.
  • An example of this is Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products Co., Ltd. (YRSC), which took part in disaster-prevention training run by the local municipality (Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs) to prepare against large typhoons. Training was run over a two-day period, and included filling sandbags, closing off flooded areas, and drainage training in the event that flooding affects farmland.
Blocking the overflowing area and draining the water

Yokohama Magokoro(Sincere Heart) Fund

The Foundation and the company made donations as matching gifts to organizations in Japan and abroad that provide assistance in times of disaster, environmental conservation, and child welfare support. In 2023, the foundation and the company made 17 donations.
The total amount of donations was approximately 13.20 million yen.
Under the Yokohama Magokoro Fund, contributions (from 100 yen to the desired amount per month) are collected from employees (members) who support the fund, members recommend an organization they would like to support, and a Fund Steering Committee composed of member representatives then screens the recommended organizations and decides whether to make a donation.
In addition to donating to various approved organizations, Yokohama Rubber also adopted a system called a "matching gift" where it contributes the same amount to the fund. Currently, about 42.5% （As of December 2023） of the employees are participating in the fund, and each employee feels it is important for the company as a whole to contribute to society through the fund.
(Major Supporting Organizations)
Child Fund Japan (Certified NPO)
Japan Hearing Dog Association (Public Interest Incorporated Association)
Kanagawa Prefectural Hospital Children's Medical Fund

(Major disaster relief efforts)
2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake Relief Fund
Heavy Rains Caused by Typhoon No. 2 and Associated Active Front
2023 Hawaii Wildfires (USA)

Introduction of Initiatives

Support for prosthetic hand assistance activities in Kanagawa Prefecture and regions in Eastern Japan

As part of efforts to provide support to people requiring prosthetic hands*1, we provided donations from fund-raising activities to the Kanagawa Myoelectric Prosthetic Hand Bank.
The "Kanagawa Myoelectric Prosthetic Hand Bank" was established in April 2022 by the Social Welfare Corporation "Kanagawa Rehabilitation Center" that provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for enabling people with disabilities to take part in social activities.
In addition to providing myoelectric prosthetic hands for training at rehabilitation facilities, funds are used for supporting the increased uptake of myoelectric prosthetic hands in Kanagawa Prefecture and regions in Eastern Japan.
  • 1 An electric prosthetic hand that allows the user to move their fingers at will by using the small amount of muscle potential generated when muscles contract.

Y.T. Rubber Co, Ltd. (YTRC) (Thailand)

Y.T. Rubber Co., Ltd., a natural rubber processing company of Yokohama Rubber, took part in meetings between local communities and official bodies (schools, hospitals, temples) in the Surat Thani district of Thailand, exchanged information and participated in donation drives to facilitate regional development.Yokohama Rubber actively supports local development initiatives through employee volunteer participation in community tree planting activities and sports events, as well as through sponsorships.
When flooding affected villages adjacent to our plants, we provided drinking water and rice to all households in two nearby villages, which was greatly appreciated.
Donation of YOKOHAMA tires to local emergency services
Support for drinking water at school sports days
Volleyball Tournament Support

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (YTMT) (Thailand)

The following activities for local communities were carried out.
  • Environmental response activities, including tree planting, biodiversity education, and fish stocking
  • Activities to strengthen relations with local communities, including participation in local events
  • Cultural preservation activities, including the protection of temples
  • Social contribution activities such as volunteer activities and donations
In 2023, YTMT participated in educational programs promoting safety awareness in schools and supported anti-drug campaigns through community clean-up activities.

Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. (YTPI) (Philippines)

Enriching the local environment through seedling donations.

In June 2023, as part of Environment Month activities and in commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the Mount Pinatubo eruption, YTPI donated 100 saplings to the Angeles City, Baler's Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). These saplings were nurtured at the YTPI facility and included a variety of species. YTPI also donated seedlings to other organizations. These donations contribute to the beautification and sustainability of the local environment, helping create a greener and healthier community for everyone.

Yokohama Tyre Vietnam Inc. (YTVI) (Vietnam)

While these efforts were small in scale, we provided assistance to local communities, such as visiting and donating to facilities for disabled people and orphanages.

LLC Yokohama R.P.Z. (YRPZ) (Russia)

YRPZ participated in a tree-planting initiative launched by the Lipetsk Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Working alongside other SEZ companies, YRPZ planted 200 trees and 40 shrubs within the SEZ territory. YRPZ also participated in a volunteer campaign to support a regional rehabilitation center for children battling cancer located outside the city. YRPZ employees visited the center and assisted with cleaning the grounds.

Yokohama Tire México, S de RL de CV (YTMX) (Mexico)

The YTMX team donated to the Red Cross to support the people of Acapulco affected by Hurricane Otis.

Future challenges

As for environmental impact assessments through biological monitoring, the framework for the PDCA cycle including communication with local residents was completed, and biodiversity conservation activities have begun. We have developed guidelines for conducting activities while taking precautions against infection by COVID-19, and we will consider how to apply the results of our activities to the local communication.
In addition, in order to solve social issues in the community, we will promote volunteer activities that can be carried out at Corona Perfection and activities through the YOKOHAMA Magokoro (Sincere Heart) Fund.