Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
May 24, 2013
Tokyo, May 24, 2013 - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) today announced that it has adopted the "Hitachi Group Human Rights Policy" in line with the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The UN issued the Guiding Principles in order to respond to the international community's demands regarding business' responsibility towards human rights. Looking ahead, Hitachi will embed respect for human rights in its corporate management worldwide, supporting the realisation of a sustainable society.
Human rights are the basic conditions for ensuring human dignity defined, at a minimum, by the "International Bill of Human Rights," which comprise The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenants on Human Rights, and the International Labour Organisation's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. As business activities have globalised in recent decades, human rights issues such as the use of child labor and forced labor in supply chains have increased in business processes. In response to these problems, a range of international instruments have been created that provide guidance to companies on how to operate with respect for human rights. These include the ISO 26000 standard in 2010 and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011. These and other developments have increased expectations that companies meet their responsibility to respect human rights in business processes and relationships. Furthermore, measures regarding human rights are fast becoming an important prerequisite for global business expansion, in Europe for example, respect for human rights is being increasingly included as a condition in transactions and tenders.
In 2010, Hitachi formulated the "Hitachi Group Codes of Conduct", which incorporate respect for the individual character of all people connected with Hitachi's business, the observance of laws in each country and region as well as the respect of basic rights at work. Since adopting the Codes, Hitachi has worked to implement these principles. As it works to expand business globally, Hitachi has set targets in its 2015 Mid-term Management Plan of achieving an overseas revenue ratio of over 50% and an overseas headcount ratio of 43% in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. To achieve these targets, Hitachi must conduct corporate activities with consideration of all of its various stakeholders. The "Hitachi Group Human Rights Policy" was created to supplement the "Hitachi Group Codes of Conduct." This policy follows the UN "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights," through the implementation of which Hitachi will ensure that the responsibility for respecting human rights is practiced throughout the Hitachi Group. By releasing this policy publicly, Hitachi will also share its approach to business and human rights with the international community. Moreover, Hitachi will implement Human Rights Due Diligence including assessment of actual and potential impacts, integration of findings to prevent or mitigate potential impacts or to remediate actual impacts, and communication of results.
By issuing the "Hitachi Group Human Rights Policy", Hitachi aims to further develop as a truly global corporation and help to realise a sustainable society.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2012 (ended March 31, 2013) totaled 9,041 billion yen ($96.1 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, power systems, construction machinery, high functional material & components, automotive systems and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.
