As articulated in the Niterra Way (CSR and Sustainability Charter), we improve corporate value through contributions working towards the realization of a sustainable society.
To achieve this, we consider solving social issues to be our most important management issue, and with our unique aspirations, we will promote the realization of our vision: “Brightens the Earth through our technologies and ideas.”
In addition, we will promote both the creation of human resources for "brightens the Earth" so that "diverse and proactive individuals embody the Niterra Way," and the creation of our foundation to "establish new global management foundation to drive transformation.“
Specifically, we will contribute to solving social issues through the combination of diverse technologies and provide renewable and recyclable solutions. Furthermore, regarding human capital investment to support these efforts, we will strive to expand mechanisms that enable diverse personnel to thrive and work vibrantly, cultivate individuals who act proactively amidst change and pioneer the future, and develop professionals who can leverage their expertise to create new value for increasingly sophisticated challenges. Additionally, as part of establishing the management foundation that underpins these initiatives, we will build an organizational platform that supports swift decision-making and enables strategic risk control.
We believe it is crucial to set and pursue more concrete initiatives and targets from a medium- to long-term perspective in each of the fields of “solving social issues,” “human capital,” and “management foundation” to achieve these objectives.
We have identified three Key Management Priorities: “solving social issues,” “human capital,” and “management foundation.” Regarding the status of these priorities, the CSR and Sustainability Committee monitors and supervises them in response to requests from the Board of Directors by confirming the progress of representative themes and major initiatives in each priority area.
In addition, taking business conditions, global standards, social trends, and the opinions of outside experts into consideration, these issues are reviewed as appropriate, and any revisions are approved by the Board of Directors.
| Theme | Major Initiatives | Goals and Outputs (FY2029) |
Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responding to Climate Change | Reduction of CO2 emissions |
Scope 1 and 2:
Scope 3:
|
The impact of climate change, including the increased severity of natural disasters, hinders the sustainable development of society. Accordingly, the world faces a common challenge to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions in pursuit of a decarbonized society. The Group also recognizes that reducing CO2 emissions across its business activities and supply chains is a material issue. In addition to measures such as energy conservation, manufacturing improvements, work-style reforms, and energy generation, we will balance planned CO2 emission reductions through our own initiatives with economic growth by integrating new technologies. |
| Technologies, Products, and Businesses for Contributing to the Resolution of Social Issues | Dissemination and expansion of environmentally friendly automobile-related products (Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) business) | Sales ratio of precious metal plugs: 50% or higher | The Group is committed to addressing various global challenges and contributing to the realization of a better society by co-creating and providing new value. The issues facing the world are diverse, ranging from climate change to energy issues. Minimizing the environmental impact of the products and services used by society to ensure that limited resources are passed on to future generations is a material issue for the sustainability of society as a whole. By leveraging our accumulated experience and technologies, centered on ceramics, we will continue to propose new value to people worldwide and contribute to sustainable global development. |
| Sales ratio of wide range oxygen sensor: 50% or higher | |||
| Dissemination and expansion of environmentally friendly automobile-related products (xEV-related business) | Sales expansion of ceramic bearing balls and ceramic heat dissipation substrates | ||
| Promotion and expansion of sales for stationary Environment & Energy-related products | Expanding sales of SOFCs as high-efficiency distributed power sources with a view to the use of CO2-free hydrogen, and developing and commercializing SOECs and reversible solid oxide cells (SOCs) aimed at the widespread adoption of hydrogen production equipment |
| Theme | Major Initiatives | Goals and Outputs (FY2029) |
Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respect for diversity and individuality |
|
Job fulfillment factors in the engagement survey: Average score of 3.56 or higher | Companies face a wide array of human resource challenges, including labor shortages due to a declining birthrate and aging population, intensifying competition for talent, and increased turnover rates resulting from lower engagement. Consequently, the promotion of human capital management has become essential. The Group recognizes its employees as its most important management resource. We believe that solving these challenges and driving the Group’s development can be achieved by respecting the diversity and individuality of our approximately 16,000 employees worldwide and creating an environment where each individual can thrive. To achieve our business strategy, we will implement global talent management by identifying necessary talent, ensuring optimal placement, and providing training and capability development to enhance individual performance and organizational strength. Furthermore, by promoting the "Niterra Way," we will work to cultivate highly motivated personnel and build a robust talent pool. The foundation of these efforts is our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). We strive to recognize and embrace diverse individuals—regardless of gender, age, disability, or nationality, as well as lifestyle and personality—while providing equitable support and opportunities tailored to each person. In a vibrant work environment, we will integrate diverse knowledge to leverage the new value and ideas generated. |
| Promoting the empowerment of women, foreign nationals, and mid-career employees | Ratio of women, foreign nationals, and mid-career employees in managerial posts: 30% (Group in Japan) | ||
| Ratio of women employees in managerial posts: 10% (Non-consolidated) |
| Theme | Major Initiatives | Goals and Outputs (FY2029) |
Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate Governance | Increasing the ratio of women and foreign nationals to directors | Ratio of women and foreign nationals as directors: 30% or higher | To achieve sustainable growth and enhance medium- to long-term corporate value, we believe it is essential to compose the Board of Directors of diverse individuals with varying backgrounds, expertise, and experience. Furthermore, we emphasize increasing the ratio of outside directors to strengthen the Board's oversight function and ensure transparency in decision-making. |
| Increasing the ratio of outside directors | Ratio of outside directors: Over 50% | ||
| Risk Management | Management of serious incidents signs and prevention of their occurrence | Implementing risk reduction activities for priority risks identified through integrated risk management | In today’s rapidly changing business environment, the risks facing companies are becoming increasingly diverse. Inadequate risk response could threaten a company’s very survival. The Group strives to enhance its corporate value by proactively promoting risk management on an ongoing basis. |
| Compliance | Implementation of compliance awareness surveys and continuous education / awareness-raising activities for all employees |
|
Maintaining the trust of society is indispensable for the Group to conduct and develop its business. Recognizing our role as a corporate citizen, we aim to be a company trusted by all stakeholders by responding appropriately to societal expectations. |
| Respect for Human Rights | Human rights due diligence initiatives | Conducting surveys regularly and disclosing the results | The Group recognizes that its business activities affect a wide range of people, including not only its own employees but also those in the supply chain and local residents. Accordingly, in line with international standards, we will strive to ensure that the dignity of these individuals is protected. |
| Information Security | Maintaining and strengthening incident response organizations and building preventive systems |
|
As information technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, we handle a variety of information assets in our business. Meanwhile, with the increasing risks such as cyberattacks, strengthening information security has become a challenge. The Group positions information assets as one of its management resources and will enhance its information security to utilize them effectively while protecting them appropriately. |
| Improving Value-Added Productivity | Evolving our business foundation through multifaceted data utilization, including smart factories, to enhance value-added productivity and revolutionize operational efficiency | Improving value-added productivity: x1.4 improvement (compared to FY2024 levels) | The Group believes that productivity improvement is not merely about finishing work faster, but about maximizing added value from limited management resources—human, material, financial, and time. Through this, we aim to realize sustainable corporate growth. |