Respect for Human Rights
Kirin Group Human Rights Policy
Kirin Group, to which Kyowa Kirin Group belongs, has established the "Kirin Group Human Rights Policy" based on the "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" of the United Nations. We have positioned this policy as the superseding policy for all documents and norms related to efforts to respect human rights in the Group's business activities, and apply it to all officers and employees of the Group. We expect all of our business partners to support this policy, and we will make every effort to ensure that our suppliers comply with it. In addition, respect for human rights is clearly stated in the "Kyowa Kirin Group Code of Conduct," which sets forth actions that all employees of the Group should take.
The Kirin Group's human rights policy
Kirin Group website: The Kirin Group's human rights policy
Organizational Structure
Our human rights enlightenment initiatives are based on the policies and measures determined by the Kirin Group Human Rights Enlightenment Promotion Committee *1, in which we also participate. In July 2017, we established the Kyowa Kirin Group Human Rights Enlightenment Promotion Committee. This committee formulates, promotes, and supports plans for human rights enlightenment and other activities. The committee also provides support for investigations and cooperation for the prompt resolution of human rights issues, if and when they arise. The Committee is chaired by the Director of the Human Resources Department of the Company and consists of Directors of the relevant divisions and heads of the organizations in charge of human resources at major subsidiaries. Our Human Resources Department serves as the secretariat.
In daily operations, Kyowa Kirin's Human Resources Department oversees general matters concerning human rights, but as human rights issues are wide-ranging, the department conducts its initiatives in cooperation with other departments and Group companies. The status of compliance with all laws and regulations including those related to human rights is reported at the quarterly Group CSR Committee meeting (chaired by the executive vice president) to check the effectiveness of our measures, and the result is reported to the Board of Directors.
- *1:A committee chaired by the human resources director of Kirin Holdings and staffed by human resources department managers from major companies within the Kirin Group.
Training Programs and Awareness Activities
Kyowa Kirin offers a variety of training programs for its directors and employees with the aim of instilling its human rights policy based on the Kirin Group Human Rights Policy. In addition, we annually provide a human rights awareness program for all employees and a human rights training program for new managerial staff as well as new employees under our rank-based training program.
We have taken various measures against the issue of harassment as one of the human rights issues, and are working to improve the environment and corporate culture to create a harassment-free environment. Specifically, we send out a message by our CEO during the "Month for Eliminating Harassment," and conduct awareness-raising training for all employees. We continuously incorporate content related to harassment prevention in training based on rank such as new employee training and newly appointed managerial staff training, providing knowledge on how to prevent harassment according to job rank and position.
In addition, we are a member of the Business Ethics Research Center, and participate in the Harassment Study Group and the Diversity Management Study Group to acquire relevant knowledge and improve understanding.
As a means of reviewing our measures, we conduct on an annual basis the Kirin Group Compliance/Human Rights Awareness Survey in conjunction with the entire Kirin Group. By analyzing the survey results, we identify changes in our employees' awareness and issues that need to be solved, which helps us implement effective initiatives within our Group.
Internal Reporting System and Contact for Inquiries
We have an internal reporting contact in place, to which employees can turn when they face human rights issues. When a report is filed, the Human Resources Department and the CSR Management Department investigate the facts and take appropriate measures while protecting the informant and the confidentiality of the report. Furthermore, we have also established various contacts for other issues (including harassment, mental health, disabilities, and LGBTQ issues) to support those who face them. Inquiries from all external stakeholders are accepted through our website.
Ensuring Human Rights throughout Our Value Chain
Kyowa Kirin is endeavoring to ensure human rights throughout its pharmaceutical value chain.
Human rights considerations in research
Kyowa Kirin sets internal rules with the aim of assuring ethical and scientific validity in human genome analysis and research using human tissue as well as preventing the loss of dignity and protecting the human rights of tissue donors.
Safeguarding human rights in clinical trials
When conducting a clinical trial involving human subjects, Kyowa Kirin, pursuant to the Declaration of Helsinki, gives top priority to protecting the human rights and personal information of patients participating in the trial, securing their safety, and giving consideration to their welfare, and complies with the laws and regulations and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) guidelines of the applicable countries.
Ensuring human rights in purchasing activities
We have formulated the "Kyowa Kirin Group Procurement Policy" and the "Kyowa Kirin CSR Procurement Guidebook" to help us ensure human rights throughout the supply chain in collaboration with our suppliers.
Ensuring human rights in production activities
We have established the "Kyowa Kirin Group Policy for Occupational Health and Safety" with the aim of securing the safety of our employees. Policy for Occupational Health and Safety
Ensuring human rights in engaging with medical institutions and patient organizations
Pursuant to Kyowa Kirin Group Transparency Policy for the Relationships between Corporate Activities, Healthcare Professionals, Healthcare Organizations and Patient Organizations, we act with high ethical standards and in the best interest of patients when we engage with medical institutions and patient organizations.
Response to the UK Modern Slavery Act
Kyowa Kirin International plc, an overseas group company of Kyowa Kirin, discloses the status of its human rights initiatives related to modern slavery risks in its business activities and supply chain in accordance with the UK Modern Slavery Act.
Recruitment and Benefits
Seeking to hire people who take pride in working to save lives as well as those with global competence, Kyowa Kirin pursues fair recruitment without discrimination on the basis of gender, nationality, disability or other traits.
In addition, Kyowa Kirin supports the daily lives of its employees and their families through a variety of benefit programs. We also apply the programs to non-regular employees such as contract workers, including medical care such as health checkups, childcare leave, recreational support, use of benefit enhancement plans, and other benefits.