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Sustainability Site

Our Materiality

Materiality identification process
Risks and opportunities
Targets and results

Background to materiality identification

Aiming to further enhance the effectiveness of CSR activities, since 2010 the Group has taken steps to address and periodically review the Bandai Namco Group’s Important CSR Themes. The Bandai Namco Group takes into consideration the changes in its business environment as well as the expanding expectations and demands of communities. As a member of society, we strive to support the realization of a sustainable world. Accordingly, since 2019, in order to develop CSR activities into sustainability activities, we have specified the Group’s materiality (material issues) (reviewed the appropriateness of important CSR themes) based on the Bandai Namco Group Sustainability Policy. Starting in April 2022, we have been working to establish targets and implement initiatives based on the five material issues that we identified.

Three Steps for Identification of Materiality

The Bandai Namco Group has been advancing sustainability initiatives under its important CSR themes established in 2010. We began verifying the appropriateness of these themes in October 2019 based on the latest trends and societal demands in Japan and around the world. During this process, the Group identified its materiality using the steps presented below.

STEP 01
Listing of Social Issues

From the perspectives outlined below, we created a list of social issues to be analyzed and narrowed the list to 20 items.

The Bandai Namco Group’s Approach and Policies

  • The Bandai Namco Group Purpose
  • The Bandai Namco Group Sustainability Policy
  • The Bandai Namco Group Compliance Charter
    (currently, the Bandai Namco Group Code of Conduct)
  • The Bandai Namco Group Mid-term Plan
  • Related Group policies/guidelines

Trends and Demands of Society in Japan and Around the World

  • Various policies and guidelines from international organizations, research institutions, and governments
    Examples: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Ministry of the Environment’s Environmental Reporting Guidelines, GRI Guidelines, TCFD recommendations, SASB Standards, ESG evaluation institution guidelines and reports (CDP, MSCI, Sustainalytics, FTSE), etc.
  • Interviews with outside experts
  • Consumer surveys (implemented at irregular intervals)
  • Initiatives of companies that are advanced in regard to sustainability
STEP 02
Mapping of Identified Social Issues

We mapped these items on two axes: importance to stakeholders and importance to the Bandai Namco Group. Issues with a high degree of importance on each axis were identified as potential material issues.

Materiality Map

A diagram assessing the identified social issues. We examined each issue after assigning scores to their importance to stakeholders and importance to the Bandai Namco Group. The list of material issues that were identified is as follows.

Harmony with Nature

  1. Enhanced response to climate change
  2. Sustainable use of resources and raw materials
  3. Supply chain management (environment)

Safe & Responsible Products

  1. Safety and security of products and services
  2. Enhanced customer satisfaction
  3. Consideration for labeling

Intellectual Property for Social Good

  1. Utilization and protection of intellectual properties (IP of characters, etc.)

Fostering a Culture of Respect

  1. Respect for human rights
  2. Human resources development
  3. Occupational health and safety management
  4. Promotion of diversity and inclusion
  5. Promotion of work-life balance
  6. Supply chain management (labor)

Building Stronger Communities

  1. Support for community development
  2. Contribution to development of culture and sports
  3. Educational assistance utilizing the Company’s strengths
STEP 03
Verifying Appropriateness and Identifying Materiality

The Group’s internal stakeholders reviewed the content of findings. Next, we identified materiality following management-level deliberations.

We also received comments from outside experts to verify the appropriateness of the material issues identified.

Comments from Outside Experts

Peter David Pedersen, Co-Founder, E-Square Inc.

● General Assessment

The material issues provide good coverage.
The Company’s next mid-term plan should be formulated in an integrated manner with a focus on sustainability rather than CSR. This is vital not only for outside stakeholders, but internal ones as well.

Masao Seki, Visiting Professor, The Open University of Japan

● Harmony with Nature

Formulation of business strategy along with action targets up to 2030 for a decarbonized society is now required by the investment community and society as a whole.

● Safe & Responsible Products

Safe and secure products and services is an extremely important perspective.

● Building Stronger Communities

Development of the next-generation is important for the Bandai Namco Group and will have a positive impact. The Company should focus on children’s healthy development and education for the happiness of future generations.

Makiko Akabane, Director Japan, CSR Asia

● Intellectual Property for Social Good

IP should be a material issue. The fact there is an IP column indicates just how important this is to the Bandai Namco Group.

● Fostering a Culture of Respect

Workplace environment and employees include all employees working in the supply chain, and recently this item is a hot topic second only to the environment.

Material Issues of Bandai Namco Group

The Bandai Namco Group identified five material issues through the process described above. This website reports on the latest situation of initiatives being carried out to address these material issues.

Harmony with Nature
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability Harmony with Nature
Learn more Safe & Responsible Products
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability Safe & Responsible Products
Learn more Intellectual Property for Social Good
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability Intellectual Property for Social Good
Learn more Fostering a Culture of Respect
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability Fostering a Culture of Respect
Learn more Building Stronger Communities
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability Building Stronger Communities
Learn more The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability　Harmony with Nature
©BN
Anton and Bernard are in the garden today taking care of the vegetables they are growing. They are gathering just the vegetables they need for today’s lunch. They give the plants lots of water so they will be healthy and grow. Here comes Toffe, who loves to eat. He helps them pick a shiny tomato with a snap! Fresh picked is always delicious. / For more information on the Bandai Namco Group’s efforts for the Harmony with Nature, please visit the following link.
Harmony with Nature
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability　Safe & Responsible Products
©BN
Harry and Dicky, the oldest bear cub, built a swing for everyone to play on. Harry and Dicky want to make sure the swing is strong because Jackie likes swinging high. Harry looks at it very closely with a magnifying glass and pulls on the ropes as the swing goes back and forth. Yep, it’s strong! The two of them made the swing safe for everyone to play on. / For more information on the Bandai Namco Group’s efforts for the Safe & Responsible Products, please visit the following link.
Safe & Responsible Products
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability　Intellectual Property for Social Good
©BN
Jackie is striking a pose and saying, “I want to be a model!” Herman is drawing a picture of Jackie and Peter is sculpting a statue. Jackie says, “Make me look cute! Chackie is going to check them.” She is excited to see their artwork. / For more information on the Bandai Namco Group’s efforts for the Intellectual Property for Social Good, please visit the following link.
Intellectual Property for Social Good
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability　Fostering a Culture of Respect
©BN
Albert’s job for today is to sweep leaves. “I like cleaning up,” he says, “but it’s a lot of work for one person.” Albert was almost in tears when Max arrived to lend a hand. By helping each other, they finished the job much faster. They used the leaves they collected to make a fire for sweet potatoes. “Eating together makes them more delicious.” / For more information on the Bandai Namco Group’s efforts for the Fostering a Culture of Respect, please visit the following link.
Fostering a Culture of Respect
The Story of the 12 Bear Cubs and Sustainability　Building Stronger Communities
©BN
Roy and Wulli love being with animals, Roy is feeding a calf named Milk. Wulli is playing with a cat named Mei. The bear cubs are food friends with all of the animals of the forest and ocean. They are all living together in harmony./ For more information on the Bandai Namco Group’s efforts for the Building Stronger Communities, please visit the following link.
Building Stronger Communities
Materiality identification process
Risks and opportunities
Targets and results
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