Initiatives for
Human Rights
Fundamental Approach
The Bandai Namco Group aims to continue creating a future in which people and people, people and society, and people and the world are connected through entertainment-inspired richness of heart, as indicated by Bandai Namco’s Purpose of “Fun for All into the Future,” In order to fulfill our responsibility to respect the human rights of all stakeholders involved in the Group’s business activities, we carry out human rights-related activities under the Bandai Namco Group Human Rights Policy, which is in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles in Business and other frameworks.
We recognize our responsibility to respect the human rights of all stakeholders, including employees, their families, and business partners. Toward this end, we promote an understanding of human rights across the entire supply chain, take steps to prevent the emergence of human rights issues, and work to resolve issues that have already been identified. At the same time, we continue working to raise awareness of human rights across the entire Group and advance initiatives aimed at respect for human rights.
Compliance with Human Rights and Labor Laws and Regulations as well as Corporate Ethics
To continue creating a future that is connected by “dreams, fun, and inspiration” together with all people around the world, we established the Bandai Namco Group Code of Conduct, a code of conduct that each and every officer and employee must comply with in the execution of their duties.
The Bandai Namco Group Code of Conduct recognizes that, regardless of country or region, complying with the letter and spirit of all laws, fulfilling social responsibilities, pursuing profits in fair and unrestricted competition, and contributing broadly to society through corporate activities are universal and important missions imposed on companies that build relationships of trust with society and fulfill the role of driving progress toward the realization of a sustainable society. At the same time, the Code clearly states that we will prioritize the lives and physical well-being of our employees as well as provide a safe and comfortable working environment. The presidents of all business companies in the Group submit a written oath to the president of Bandai Namco Holdings agreeing to their compliance with the Group Code of Conduct.
Human Rights Policy
To further clarify the Bandai Namco Group’s stance and initiatives toward human rights, we formulated the Bandai Namco Group Human Rights Policy in November 2023. We understand that corporate business activities have an impact on human rights, and consider it our responsibility as a company to respect the human rights of all stakeholders involved in the Bandai Namco Group’s business activities.
Bandai Namco Group Human Rights Policy
Together with all people throughout the world, the Bandai Namco Group aims to create a future where people and other people, people and society, and people and the world are connected through the rich emotions created by entertainment, as represented by Bandai Namco’s Purpose of “Fun for All into the Future.” In order to fulfill our responsibility to respect the human rights of all stakeholders involved in the business activities of the Bandai Namco Group, we hereby establish the Bandai Namco Group Human Rights Policy.
| Scope of Applicability |
This policy applies to directors, auditors, officers, and employees of the Bandai Namco Group (meaning Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries; the same shall apply hereinafter). We also ask all of our business partners and suppliers to understand, support, and comply with this policy. |
|---|---|
| Commitment to Respecting Human Rights |
The Bandai Namco Group understands that our business activities may impact human rights, and will fulfill our responsibility to respect the human rights of all stakeholders involved in our business activities. |
| Compliance With Laws and Regulations Related to Respecting Human Rights |
The Bandai Namco Group will promote initiatives to respect human rights based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Children’s Rights and Business Principles. Furthermore, in each country and region where we conduct business, the Bandai Namco Group complies with the domestic laws and other regulations of the relevant countries, and respects internationally-recognized human rights. When faced with conflicting requests, we will do our utmost to honour the principles of internationally recognized human rights. |
| Governance |
We will place the President and Representative Director in charge of this policy, and the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) in charge of promoting this policy, and will promote initiatives to respect human rights in accordance with this policy. |
| Human Rights Due Diligence |
The Bandai Namco Group will construct and continuously operate a human rights due diligence system to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse human rights impacts related to the Bandai Namco Group’s business activities. |
| Remedy and Correction |
If we identify that the Bandai Namco Group has caused or contributed to negative human rights impacts, we will take legitimate processes to remedy the situation and prevent recurrence. |
| Education |
The Bandai Namco Group will ensure that related policies, guidelines, and other necessary procedures reflect this policy, in order to embed this policy in all business activities. We also will provide appropriate education so that all directors, auditors, officers, and employees understand this policy and implement it in their respective corporate activities. |
| Dialogue and Consultation With Stakeholders |
For initiatives taken under this policy, the Bandai Namco Group will consult with independent external experts on human rights and engage in dialogue and consultation with relevant stakeholders. |
| Verification of Progress and Information Disclosure |
The Bandai Namco Group will monitor and improve the status of compliance with this human rights policy continuously. We will disclose the progress of human rights initiatives based on this policy through media such as the official website and integrated reports of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. |
Date of Establishment: November 1, 2023
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
Mapping of Human Rights Risks
The Group analyzes the risks of adverse impacts on human rights through its business activities (human rights risks) and identifies the potential human rights risks that are of high importance in terms of severity and likelihood of occurrence. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, we mapped out human rights issues that may be present in our business according to scope and likelihood of occurrence. We believe that the items shown in the figure’s brown cells are human rights issues that the Group should prioritize. Based on the human rights due diligence process, we identify and assess the actual or potential human rights impacts.
For potential issues, we have implemented appropriate measures to mitigate future impacts. If there is an actual adverse impact, we will work to resolve the issue and, if necessary, provide appropriate remedies to those affected.
We intend to review the results of this mapping on an ongoing basis going forward.
Implement Human Rights Due Diligence
The Bandai Namco Group recognizes that its business activities could potentially affect human rights. We recognize our responsibility to respect the human rights of all stakeholders, including employees, their families, and business partners. Toward this end, we promote an understanding of human rights across the entire supply chain.
Previously, we implemented risk management for each business segment, but in order to identify, prevent, and mitigate negative impacts on human rights related to the Group’s business activities, we will build a human rights due diligence mechanism and continuously manage risks using a risk-based approach. In October 2022, we engaged a third party to conduct human rights due diligence covering our main businesses. This third party identified high potential human rights risks in the manufacturing sector in East and Southeast Asia among the Group’s businesses. In addition, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, we conducted a risk analysis for all businesses in Japan and overseas. We will continue to prevent the emergence of human rights risks and to resolve human rights issues that have already been identified.
Basic Response Policy Regarding Customer Harassment
In accordance with the Purpose of “Fun for All into the Future,” the Bandai Namco Group aims to foster connections with global fans, a wide range of business partners, employees, and communities around the world by offering dreams, fun and inspiration through products, services and created works, and to work to create a brighter future. In the course of providing such service, we often receive warm words from customers enjoying the products, services and created works of the Bandai Namco Group. However, there are cases when actions from some customers constitute customer harassment. In light of this, we established our basic response policy regarding customer harassment so that employees of the Bandai Namco Group and related parties can do their work with a sense of security.
Basic Response Policy Regarding Customer Harassment
We kindly request that you refrain from taking actions outside social norms when making inquiries or addressing concerns related to our products, services and created works. Such actions include, but are not limited to, those listed below. Should we determine that such actions have occurred, we reserve the right to refuse or discontinue our service to you. Furthermore, if we deem your behavior to be malicious, we may contact local law enforcement or take other appropriate action as necessary.
- Coercion, threats, or acts of intimidation
- Insults or behavior that denigrates personal dignity
- Violations of privacy
- Acts of slander or defamation
- Demands for provision of excessive services outside social norms
- Unreasonable demands for apologies or requests for the punishment of employees of the Bandai Namco Group or its partners
- Repetitive demands or complaints that unduly detain our staff for long periods
Activities to Raise Awareness of Human Rights
To inform and disseminate the Group’s philosophy and approach to human rights among employees, we conduct awareness-raising activities as appropriate.
Regarding the Bandai Namco Group Code of Conduct, we distribute to all Group companies, including those outside of Japan, in-house posters that clearly illustrate the Code. In addition, we conduct compliance awareness surveys for the Group’s officers and employees, and work to disseminate the philosophy set forth in the Code through various in-house training programs, including e-learning and new employee training.
Furthermore, believing that promoting executive management’s understanding is vital to strengthening human rights measures in the Group, we hold study sessions on human rights for directors of Bandai Namco Holdings. We also hold seminars and e-learning on topics, such as sustainability, work-life balance, the LGBTQ community, and disabilities, for employees to raise awareness of human rights and foster a culture of sustainability within the Group.
Initiatives for Respecting Human Rights in the Supply Chain
Responsible Minerals Procurement
Based on the results of its human rights due diligence, the Bandai Namco Group is working to eliminate the risk of human rights violations that may occur in the supply chain. Part of this is that we do not procure and use “conflict minerals” as raw materials.
It has been shown that the illegal mining of minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries has led to serious human rights violations such as child labor and forced labor and that the obtained minerals are a source of funds for armed groups. Prevention of this mining is an international issue, not only from the viewpoint of human rights and ethics but also from the perspective of preventing environmental destruction.
From the perspective of social responsibility, the Bandai Namco Group has established a basic policy of not using problematic minerals mined in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. We are working to procure minerals responsibly throughout the supply chain, such as requesting suppliers to understand the Bandai Namco Group’s ideas and implement compliance initiatives.
- The Bandai Namco Group does not use minerals illegally mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries.
- We agree with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and manage the supply chain accordingly.
- We ask our suppliers to be aware of the Bandai Namco Group’s initiatives and request them to take action to comply with them.
- If a significant risk is found, we will report it to stakeholders, including customers, as soon as possible and take corrective actions.
The Bandai Namco Group is also implementing a number of other measures in the supply chain. Visit the link below to learn more.
Consultation Hotline for Human Rights
The Bandai Namco Group accepts whistleblowing and consultation on human rights through various hotlines and accepts complaints and reports related to human rights from a wide range of stakeholders through external platforms.
Whistleblowing Desk for Employees
We have established a whistleblowing system at Group companies in Japan and overseas that allows employees to consult at any time about human rights issues that arise within the company by e-mail, telephone, face-to-face, or other means. Consultations are also accepted anonymously, and we respond promptly after thoroughly protecting the consulter so that they will not be treated unfairly as a result of their consultation.
Internal Whistleblower Systems
Compliance Hotline (External Stakeholder Reporting Desk)
Inquiries from stakeholders regarding human rights are accepted through the Bandai Namco Holdings Compliance Hotline. We take prompt action after thoroughly protecting the consulter so that they will not be subjected to unfavorable treatment.
