To realize a discrimination-free society and business in all forms, we strive to raise awareness of human rights through employee training.
Human Rights Policy
As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (hereinafter referred to as "UN Global Compact"), ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Group (hereinafter referred to as "Group") agrees with the Ten Principles in the four areas (human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption) of the UN Global Compact and will implement them under the responsibility of top management itself.
Scope of Application
This policy applies to all officers and employees of the Group. The Group will require all domestic and overseas stakeholders involved in its business activities, including those in the supply chain, to have a similar understanding of the policy.
Prohibition of discrimination
The Group prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, social status, gender, disability, health status, age, skin color, religion, creed or ideology, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Respect for freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, the Group will respect the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining of its employees, guarantee the rights of its employees, and maintain and promote sound and good labor-management relations without discrimination.
Improvement of working environment and wages
The Group will comply with laws and regulations, manage working hours appropriately, grant days off, vacations, etc., and strive to maintain a workplace environment that allows the Group's employees to work in a safe and secure condition. Moreover, the Group will comply with legal requirements regarding statutory benefits and deductions, overtime, etc. in each region, and ensure that the amount of wages exceeds the statutory minimum wage standards.
Prohibition of forced labor
The Group does not tolerate any form of forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor.
Whistle-blower system
The Company has established a contact point for external whistleblowers. We maintain a contact point for inquiries in the event of any perceived violation of laws, regulations, or ethics in our dealings with the Company.
As a system to reflect the voices of employees regarding unfair discrimination and harassment in the workplace, sexual harassment, and power harassment in compliance practice, the Group has established a whistle-blower office, the “ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings’ compliance consulting desk,” and a new contact point for consultation and reporting of compliance-related matters involving its officers, “Audit & Supervisory Board member consulting desk.” It is staffed by ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings’ Audit & Supervisory Board members.
Anonymous reporting is also accepted, and all cases are handled appropriately. In accordance with the spirit of the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Group protects whistleblowers and ensures that compliance-related matters are collected, investigated, and corrective measures are taken in a timely and appropriate manner.
Human rights education
In order to realize a company and society free of all forms of discrimination, the Group provides training on the importance of respect for human rights and compliance, and promotes the creation of a workplace where each employee can maximize his or her abilities while protecting the dignity of others.
| FY |
2023 |
2024 |
2025/1H |
| Number of trainings conducted |
9 |
7 |
4 |
Human rights due diligence
As a system to reflect the voices of employees regarding unfair discrimination and harassment in the workplace, sexual harassment, and power harassment in compliance practice, the Group has established a whistle-blower office, the “ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings’ compliance consulting desk,” and a new contact point for consultation and reporting of compliance-related matters involving its officers, “Audit & Supervisory Board member consulting desk.” It is staffed by ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings’ Audit & Supervisory Board members.
Human rights promotion system
The Company promotes company-wide ESG initiatives under the ESG Promotion Meeting. The Committee of Managers for ESG Promotion is responsible for formulating goals and action plans for each department.
Specifically, the Company is continuously addressing key ESG issues, including responses to the TCFD and TNFD frameworks, as well as matters related to human rights and the supply chain.
Respect for Human Rights
The Group is guided by its corporate philosophy: “Contribute toward the improvement of people's health and progress in society through the development of innovative products.” Bearing in mind the “critical mission directly related to life and health,” the Group has continued to move forward without pause.
Recognizing that respect for human rights is a vital social responsibility, the Group has been implementing initiatives under its Human Rights Policy. To enhance this commitment, the Group has designated respect for human rights as one of its six most material issues in the redefinition of its materiality in 2025, thereby reinforcing its determination to promote company-wide action at a higher level.
The Group is committed to fostering awareness of human rights through employee education, aiming to realize a society and organization free from all forms of discrimination. Moreover, the Group pledges not to infringe upon the human rights of others. In cases where its business activities may cause, or have the potential to cause, adverse impacts on human rights, the Group will respond promptly and appropriately to remedy the situation, thereby fulfilling its responsibility to respect human rights.
Furthermore, if any adverse impact on human rights arises within the value chain and is connected to the Group’s operations, the Group will request relevant parties to ensure that human rights are not violated.
To fulfill its responsibilities to all stakeholders, the Group supports and respects the following international codes of conduct:
- The International Bill of Human Rights (comprising the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights)
- ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (including core ILO Conventions)
- Various conventions concerning workers’ rights, such as fair wages and working hours
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
- Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects (Declaration of Helsinki)
- Children’s Rights and Business Principles
Our Efforts in Response to the UK Modern Slavery Act
ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. does not tolerate any form of modern slavery or human trafficking and supports international efforts to eradicate such practices.
The Company’s core business involves the research, manufacturing, and sales of prescription pharmaceuticals. While the Company maintains an office in London, no sales are currently recorded in the UK.
Although the Company is not subject to the mandatory requirements of the UK Modern Slavery Act, it respects the spirit of the Act and, as a responsible international corporate citizen, is actively implementing the following initiatives:
1. Establishment and Internal Dissemination of a Human Rights Policy
The Company has established a Human Rights Policy based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and promotes its understanding and integration through education and training for executives and employees.
2. Human Rights Consideration in the Supply Chain
The Company’s contracts with suppliers include provisions related to the respect for human rights and the maintenance of proper working conditions. The Company also conducts supplier questionnaires and engages in regular monitoring and dialogue to eliminate risks of forced labor and human trafficking.
3. Whistleblowing and Remediation Mechanisms
The Company has established an internal whistleblowing system that allows anonymous reporting. A framework is in place to ensure swift and appropriate responses to any reports received.
4. Future Initiatives
The Company will continue to review and update its disclosures as necessary, in response to evolving human rights-related laws and social expectations, and will strive for transparent communication going forward.
Our Efforts in Response to the Australian Modern Slavery Act
ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. does not tolerate any form of modern slavery or human trafficking and supports international efforts to eradicate such practices.
While the Company’s core business is the research, manufacturing, and sale of prescription pharmaceuticals, no sales are currently recorded in Australia.
The Company acknowledges that it is not subject to the mandatory requirements of the Australian Modern Slavery Act. However, in fulfilling its responsibilities as a global corporate citizen, the Company respects the spirit of the Act and is taking the following actions.
1. Establishment and Internal Dissemination of a Human Rights Policy
The Company has established a Human Rights Policy based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and promotes its understanding and integration through education and training for executives and employees.
2. Human Rights Consideration in the Supply Chain
The Company’s contracts with suppliers include provisions related to the respect for human rights and the maintenance of proper working conditions. The Company also conducts supplier questionnaires and engages in regular monitoring and dialogue to eliminate risks of forced labor and human trafficking.
3. Whistleblowing and Remediation Mechanisms
The Company has established an internal whistleblowing system that allows anonymous reporting. A framework is in place to ensure swift and appropriate responses to any reports received.
4. Future Initiatives
The Company will continue to review and update its disclosures as necessary, in response to evolving human rights-related laws and social expectations, and will strive for transparent communication going forward.
Commitment to Indigenous Peoples
ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings aims to respect the rights, cultures, and traditions of Indigenous peoples in all regions where the Company conducts business.
The Company supports the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and is committed to contributing to the protection and sustainable development of Indigenous communities.
Through dialogue and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, the Company seeks to foster mutual understanding and build relationships based on trust.
Prevention of Harassment in the Workplace
The Company believes that unjust discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and power harassment in the workplace are important issues related to human rights violations in the sense that they violate the right to work in a comfortable work environment and are extremely despicable behaviors.
To prevent and eliminate such harassment, the Company takes necessary care in employment management and conducts employee training. In particular, the Company ensures that executives and managers acquire correct knowledge and raise their awareness of harassment prevention through the use of guidebooks and more specific examples in their training on harassment.