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Respect for Human Rights

Respect for Human Rights

Based on its corporate philosophy, Benesse (Well-Being), the Benesse Group regards respect for the human rights of all people as a precondition for its corporate activities, and promotes human rights education and other initiatives in its education and nursing care businesses, which are centred on people.

The Benesse Group as a whole implements initiatives based on its human rights policy and contributes to the realisation of a sustainable society by strongly supporting customers and other stakeholders in their efforts for "Well-Being".

Benesse Group Human Rights Policy Statement

The Benesse Group's business activities are based on the corporate philosophy "Well-Being" and are all based on the trust of customers. In co-cooperation with customers and other stakeholders, it is also important to respect diversity and the dignity of each individual. Based on this belief, we have formulated our human rights policy.

This Policy applies to all directors and employees of the Benesse Group (Benesse Holdings, Inc., and its affiliated companies).

In order to promote respect for the human rights of all stakeholders involved in our business activities (including business activities using state-of-the-art technologies such as AI), we not only educate our employees, but also request that our stakeholders, including our suppliers, give consideration to respecting human rights through our Basic Procurement Policy.

Pursuit of Human Rights Principles and Standards
We will pursue human rights initiatives based on the International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenants on Human Rights), the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and Children’s Rights and Business Principles.

Our Responsibilities Regarding Respect for Human Rights
We will prohibit forced labor and child labor in our own corporate and business activities. We will respect diversity and will eliminate discrimination or violations of human rights based on nationality, race, ethnic groups, beliefs, thoughts, gender, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, or employment status. Opportunities are always equal, recruitment, placement, evaluation, remuneration and promotion are based on personal competence, experience and performance, and a unified remuneration system is applied across genders.

We will also respect diversity within the workplace and continue to demonstrate our values and philosophy for the “Well-Being” of our customers and other stakeholders with responsibility and integrity.

Respect for basic labour rights
We respect basic labour rights, including the freedom of association and the right of workers to organise and bargain collectively.

Motivating work environment
We shall endeavour to create a rewarding work environment, taking into consideration the safety and physical and mental health of our employees, as well as compliance with minimum wages, reduction of long working hours and elimination of harassment.

Human Rights Due Diligence
We will develop mechanisms for human rights due diligence and take ongoing actions in our efforts to identify and prevent or mitigate any negative impacts by the Group on human rights.
Further, in such cases where a negative impact on human rights caused by our business partner or supplier is directly or indirectly related to the businesses or services of the Benesse Group, we will seek remedial measures so as to respect and not infringe upon human rights.

Compliance with Applicable Laws
We will respect internationally recognized human rights standards to the maximum extent possible as well as comply with all laws and regulations of the countries and regions where we conduct our business activities.

Education
We will conduct ongoing education and training of our employees to ensure that this Policy is properly incorporated and firmly established in the respective locations of our corporate and business activities. We will also ensure that each and every one of our employees has a full understanding of this Policy and is supported in being able to practice respect for human rights.

Remedy
We will take appropriate steps and strive to remedy the situation in such cases where it becomes apparent that we have caused and/or been in some way involved in a negative impact on human rights.

Dialogue and Discussions
We will communicate our human rights initiatives under this Policy through different channels, including our website.
We will also engage in active dialogue and discussions with relevant stakeholders to respond to potential and actual negative impacts on human rights by the Group.

Established on June 22, 2020
Revised April 17, 2023

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Supervision Framework

As part of the Benesse Group's efforts to respect the human rights of stakeholders involved in its business, we have established the Sustainability Committee, which reports directly to the President and CEO, and reports to the Board of Directors.

With regard to day-to-day respect for human rights, a Human Rights Promotion Sub-Committee has been established. The Compliance and Security Division is responsible for human rights violations and legal compliance, the Sustainability Promotion Division is responsible for human rights due diligence and diversity promotion, and the Human Resources Division is responsible for human rights awareness and training for employees, with the three divisions working in unison to strengthen human rights respect initiatives.

While systematically learning more about human rights, we will continue to implement human rights initiatives across the Group and oversee compliance with the Group Human Rights Policy and its implementation through the Sustainability Promotion Committee.

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Human Rights Due Diligence

Human rights risk management

In accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we have been conducting annual and ongoing human rights due diligence with the cooperation of external experts since 2020. Specifically, almost all companies in the Group (90% of employees) have been conducting human rights assessments every year since FY2020 on an ongoing basis, identifying and investigating human rights risks, analysing problems and issues, and implementing measures to correct, improve and prevent them. The results are reported to the Sustainability Promotion Committee for management reporting and consideration of plans for the following year.

Human rights risks to be assessed during the human rights assessment were listed based on material considerations and issues relating to the Group’s corporate activities. These were determined in accordance with international standards and guidelines that define material human rights issues, using Benesse’s own employment/work rules relating to human rights for reference.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
Confirm standards to apply Design assessment sheet Conduct human rights assessment Evaluate & report
  • International standards & guidelines
    1. 1) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
    2. 2) ILO standards
    3. 3) UN Global Compact
    4. 4) OECD
    5. 5) GRI standards
    6. 6) FLA
    7. 7) CHRB
  • Existing standards & rules
    1. 1) Group’s Human Rights Policy
    2. 2) Employment/work rules
  • Define human rights risks

    List risks based on material human rights considerations and issues relating to the Group’s corporate activities

  • Define measures that deter human rights violations

    List measures taken in individual companies that positively impact respect for human rights, such as work-life management measures and employee education

  • Collate assessment sheet responses

    Individuals in charge of responding at each company collate information from each relevant operating site, and enter responses on the assessment sheet

  • Hold dialogue with assessed companies

    Hold dialogues with companies to discuss assessment sheet responses, involving external experts. Promote understanding of key human rights issues

  • Create risk maps

    Evaluate risks from the perspectives of likelihood of occurrence, severity, and risk management weaknesses to create risk maps

  • Discuss at Human Rights Subcommittee

    Evaluate and verify each company’s risk map to identify key human rights themes for the Group

  • Report to Sustainability Committee

    Report the key human rights themes identified for the Group and discuss future action

Human rights issues and responses identified from human rights assessments

As a result of the human rights assessment, the following key issues were identified as impacting our business activities on human rights, and we have confirmed that ongoing risk management is in place to address them. We have instructed each company and site to take corrective, remedial and reduction measures to address the identified risks.

Key Human Rights Themes Identified within the Benesse Group

  • Eradication of child labor
  • Prevention of abuse
  • Prevention of harassment in the workplace
  • Respect for consumer interests

As a company that operates educational businesses for children, we believe that it is never acceptable to impede compulsory education or violate children’s rights by requiring minors under the age of 18 to perform hazardous, harmful work prohibited under labor conventions.

Furthermore, as many of the Benesse Group’s businesses, including its nursing care and cram school businesses, provide customers with person-to-person services of high added value, we place importance on respect for fundamental human rights within our business activities.

We will continue to monitor the situation regarding the key human rights themes identified within the Group. We will expand human rights due diligence to the entire group (90% employee ratio) and strengthen it through ongoing implementation.

Corrective action, improvement and commitment to identified key human rights issues

For the key human rights issues identified, the following corrective actions, improvements and initiatives have been implemented.

Key Human Rights Issues Identified Corrective action, improvement, and commitment to identified key human rights issues
Eradication of child labor Items related to the prevention of child labor, such as age verification at the time of employment, have been established in the human rights assessment for each Group company and are checked annually. We also conduct regular audits by external organizations based on the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, including the effective abolition of child labor, to ensure that suppliers respect human rights and maintain a good working environment.
Prevention of abuse In our nursing care business, we administer regular questionnaires to all care workers to promptly identify any behavior that could develop into abuse and deal with it appropriately before actual abuse occurs. We also hold regular meetings of a committee that works to prevent abuse in care homes.
Prevention of harassment in the workplace To raise awareness of harassment among employees, we hold group sessions to go through documents setting out our standards, and provide guidance for managers and other employees including harassment-related training.
Note: We also offer a consultation service specifically for harassment-related issues.
Respect for consumer interests To ensure the safety of consumers, we ensure that products and services are explained and displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. Any opinions or requests received from consumers are analysed and promptly reported internally, of which those relating to human rights risks (e.g., harm to health and safety) are examined for safety, analysed for causes and improved by the Product Safety Review Department and manufacturing plants.

Stakeholder engagement on human rights

Benesse's supply chain conducts audits from a social and ethical perspective at overseas contract manufacturing plants (China, Vietnam, etc.). In particular, we check for inhumane treatment, including child labour, abuse and harassment, which is a key issue in human rights due diligence, as a top priority item.

In FY2022, we gathered managers of production plants in China to explain and exchange views on the importance of building a sound supply chain at production sites, including the key issues mentioned above.

In addition, regular meetings are held with domestic factories to exchange opinions on a regular basis.

The situation of the presentation that showed Chinese characters
The situation of the meeting

As a result of these stakeholder engagements, if we find issues that need to be improved, we work with the production plants to make improvements. To date, the following improvements have been made.

  • ・Inspections and installation of emergency lighting
  • ・Clearly marked evacuation routes
  • ・Wearing special masks
  • ・Conducting additional health checks
  • ・Planned ordering to equalise production, etc.

Respect for Employees’ Human Rights

Benesse group operates globally and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within the group. Various measures are taken to address issues of harassment and discrimination, including the dissemination of various policies and the implementation of training programmes.

In addition, we check the status of residence of foreign employees when they join the company and do not require employees' important documents such as passports to be kept in the company, which could lead to forced labour.

See also 'Human rights training' on the page regarding our training on human rights, and the following page regarding our promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).

Remediation Mechanism

We have set up internal reporting mechanisms for passing on information or seeking advice regarding compliance-related concerns including potential human rights violations, discrimination, or harassment.

Internal Reporting Mechanism Overview
Benesse Group Speak-Up Line A mechanism for reporting the discovery of illegal or dishonest behavior, or violations of a company’s articles of incorporation or internal rules
Audit & Supervisory Board Member Hotline A mechanism for reporting in cases where senior management may be involved, or similar situations

Note: Every effort is made to ensure that these reporting mechanisms can be used with peace of mind; for example, they are located outside the company itself and they can be used anonymously.

In addition to the above, a consultation service with an external professional organization is available for employees to consult regarding harassment and the Group's treatment of persons with disabilities. The customer service offices of the Group companies also receive various reports and consultations.

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Respect for Freedom of Expression

The Benesse Group upholds respect for fundamental human rights in its Benesse Group Human Rights Policy and respects the human rights of each and every individual in its corporate activities. We also pay attention to the protection of freedom of expression and the right to privacy as recognized in international norms such as the International Covenants on Human Rights to ensure that human rights are not violated.

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Human Rights Training

As part of the Group's human rights awareness activities, internal lectures on human rights for all Group employees, human rights training for new employees and harassment training for managers and employees are held annually. In the harassment training, we strive to curb the occurrence of incidents by exploring case studies and improving consultation skills. Additionally, to educate human rights personnel across the Group, we regularly hold Human Rights Study Sessions. At these training sessions, staff can exchange opinions with experts and learn the latest information on human rights issues. In FY 2022, we conducted a survey on unconscious bias in the Group, carried out human rights training for human resources personnel and managers, provided e-learning about LGBTQ for all Group employees, and had in-house lectures on human rights.

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

The Rights of Children

The Benesse Group upholds the education and lifestyles of each child and supports the building of skills to create the future. Holding up the offering of learning opportunities to all as an important issue, we aim to respond to every person's desire to learn, provide accessible learning, and create a future where growth is possible.

● Examples of Action

Special consideration with GTEC for people with disabilities

For the GTEC, an English exam offered by the Benesse Corporation, we took people with disabilities into consideration for the four skills tested (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) with Braille versions, large print versions, considerations for time for the listening and speaking portions, scoring considerations, and more.

● Conducting a Demonstration Test of ICT Learning that Considers the Developmental Characteristics of Reading and Writing

From September to December 2021, 11 public elementary schools and compulsory education schools in the district conducted a demonstration test using ICT learning that considered the developmental characteristics of children's reading and writing skills.
After administering a reading and writing difficulty check test to all students, including those in regular classrooms, Benesse developed a learning application for children with developmental disabilities and those who have trouble reading and writing, which was used at each elementary school and each child's home.

<Target schools>
11 out of 37 public elementary schools and compulsory education schools in Shinagawa Ward
(675 2nd-grade students in regular classes, 163 students in special needs classrooms (grades 1-4), and 69 students in special needs classes (grades 1-4))

Following the above demonstration tests, the service now offers "Marugu Land for School", a learning application for children with developmental disabilities and difficulties in reading and writing.

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Human Rights in the Long-Term Care Business

Working in the long-term senior care service business, Benesse Style Care established the Benesse Style Care Declaration that demonstrates actions and criteria for what employees should value in order to realize well-being in both customers and employees. In the Declaration, a customer-centered approach is put first and it is made clear that priority will be given to having customers live in their own way above everything else. Human rights will also be adequately considered when conducting business, and the Declaration defines principles to prevent expressions and actions that cause anyone to suffer and cause people with certain attributes to feel discomfort from discrimination based on race, nationality, beliefs, gender, or disability.

All employees undergo Benesse Style Care Declaration training once a year, regularly spreading information and improving awareness.

As a measure against mistreatment, we regularly survey all nursing care professionals to quickly discover signs that lead to mistreatment and respond appropriately before it occurs. We work to improve each of the opinions raised in this process. We also host a regular committee to prevent mistreatment within homes and work to ensure the safety of our customers and employees. We have also established a standard for responding to mistreatment and enforce complete and suitable responses when mistreatment occurs. In addition to holding training for managers and leadership-level employees and familiarizing employees with consultation services as a measure against harassment, we have established harassment response guidelines for harassment to employees and aim to create an environment where employees working in a caregiving situation can continue to work safely and securely.

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Human Rights in Businesses Using State-of-the-Art Technologies such as AI

In addition to the human rights policy, the following specific initiatives are implemented in each department involved in the business using new technologies such as AI. The details of these initiatives will be updated as necessary in line with changes in the environment associated with technological developments, and disclosed timely and appropriately.

<Individual policies and initiatives>

<Training and development>

  • DX training for employees
    : A diverse menu is offered from time to time, with each employee free to choose the topics that are necessary to the business in which he or she is engaged
  • • Lectures and courses on AI ethics at plenary meetings for employees
  • • Copyright training for employees
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc., VIETIS

Last updated : 2023/12/08