Human Rights Policy

The YKK Group places the YKK Philosophy of the "Cycle of Goodness," at the core of all its business activities.
As an important member of society, a company survives through coexistence. When the benefits are shared, the value of the company's existence will be recognized by society. YKK founder Tadao Yoshida made this point the major focus in the pursuit of his business, and sought a path that would lead to the mutual prosperity of all the members of society. His thinking was that companies should, in the course of their business, strive to develop the business with inventions, creativity and ingenuity and by constantly creating new value, thereby contributing to society by helping customers and business partners to prosper.
YKK AP acts in a responsible manner toward society in order to conduct business activities in accordance with this philosophy.
We have standardized this in the YKK Group Code of Conduct, which consists of 29 articles grouped into seven basic principles. These seven principles set out guidelines for action that YKK Group employees in all countries and regions are expected to follow with a common awareness. The Code of Conduct includes clear stipulations against discrimination and the violation of human rights for any reason whatsoever. This Policy complements the "Respect for Human Rights" principle set forth in the YKK Group Code of Conduct.

YKK AP applies this Policy to all YKK AP officers and employees. When the human rights of persons involved in the business, products, or services of the YKK AP, its business partners including suppliers and their business partners, are adversely (negatively) impacted, and when this negative impact is directly related to the YKK AP business, products, or services, we will undertake to encourage those concerned to respect human rights, avoid human rights violations, and address any negative impacts on human rights.

YKK AP supports and respects international standards relating to human rights, including the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work as based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In all its corporate activities, YKK AP fulfills its responsibilities in respecting the human rights of all people impacted by its business activities.
In countries and regions where international human rights are not properly protected by local laws and regulations, YKK AP will seek ways to maximize respect for international human rights principles.
See the appendix here for more information on the human rights issues that we believe are significant.

Under the YKK Group Management Principle that states we "seek corporate value of higher significance," we place consistent fairness at the center of all our management activities. In accordance with this thinking, we work to implement comprehensive corporate governance systems with the goal of further enhancing our corporate value.
Sustainability issues including human rights are addressed by the ESG General Meeting, which is chaired by the President Representative Director of YKK AP. The ESG General Meeting formulates policy from the viewpoint of the group as a whole. It disseminates that policy to the relevant divisions and group companies in Japan and overseas and undertakes cross-divisional activities.

Based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, YKK AP conducts due diligence with respect to human rights. Through this framework, we identify negative human rights impacts and work to prevent or mitigate them.

In order to instill this Policy in all corporate activities and ensure its effective implementation, YKK AP provides appropriate education and training to its officers and employees and encouragement to its business partners and other related parties.

If it becomes apparent that a YKK AP business, product or service has caused or contributed to a negative impact on the human rights of anyone affected by that business, product or service, YKK AP will deal with the concerned persons in good faith and work to correct the corporate activities that were the cause of the issue. Furthermore, if it becomes clear that there is a direct relation between a YKK AP business, product or service and a negative impact on human rights, or if such a relation is suspected, we will strive to remedy the situation by communicating with the related party. We will work to build systems by which we can receive the concerns and complaints of stakeholders and strive to solve problems or implement remedies. These systems will include internal and external communication channels by which people who have, or may have, suffered negative impacts to their human rights can communicate with our company.

YKK AP periodically assesses the progress of its human rights initiatives and works to enact ongoing improvements. At the same time, the Group communicates this progress through websites, reports, and other communication channels.
With respect to human rights affected by its business activities, YKK AP will continue to develop a series of initiatives under this Policy to respond appropriately to changes in the business and environment, so as to enable it to understand, address, and improve its activities from the point of view of those impacted.

In order to maintain and strengthen our initiatives directed at respecting human rights into the future, we will respond to human rights issues appropriately in accordance with changes in the business and environment, and review our policies as needed.

YKK AP is aware that addressing the following human rights issues relating to its business activities is a key part of its human rights responsibilities and responds with the following appropriate procedures.

YKK AP works to prevent and eliminate child labor, which impedes the healthy growth of children and denies them educational opportunities. As well, we do not tolerate any kind of forced or prison labor. We engage in initiatives to avoid any risk of forced or prison labor occurring in our business activities.

YKK AP prohibits employees from committing any form of discrimination, including that based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, beliefs, creed, sex, age, physical characteristics, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
As well, we do not tolerate any types of behavior that undermine an individual's dignity, including but not limited to, bullying, abuse (including physical, sexual, and mental abuse), or harassment.

YKK AP respects the basic rights of employees, including the freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. Through dialog and consultation, we build good relationships between management and employees.

YKK AP works to understand the customs of all the countries and regions in which we conduct business activities, and complies with labor laws and other laws. Should there be such countries and regions in which international human rights are not properly protected by local laws and regulations, YKK AP will seek ways to maximize respect for international human rights principles.

YKK AP respects all diversity, including race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, beliefs, creed, sex, age, physical characteristics, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and promotes diversity management. As well, we build systems and environments that enable diverse human resources to fully express their abilities.

In all workplaces, YKK AP strives to prevent industrial accidents and maintain and promote both the physical and mental health of employees, and works to build, maintain, and improve workplace environments that allow safe and secure work.

YKK AP complies with all laws and regulations relating to working hours and wages in the countries and regions in which we conduct our business activities, and endeavors to pay living wages.