Policy
Basic Approach on Respect for Human Rights
MC believes that respect for human rights is fundamental to conducting a diverse range of businesses globally. MC promotes fair and sound business activities based on the Three Corporate Principles, which have served as the Company’s corporate philosophy since its inception, and has been implementing initiatives to respect human rights in its Corporate Standards of Conduct, Social Charter, and the Mitsubishi Corporation Code of Conduct.
MC has established its own Materiality, a set of material societal issues to address through its business activities toward the goal of continuous creation of shared Value. For MC, as a global company involved in businesses across a wide range of products and services worldwide, respect for human rights is a key management issue, and we address this under the material issues of "Promoting Stable, Sustainable Societies and Lifestyles” and "Respecting Human Rights in Our Business Operations."
Moreover, after reorganizing and clarifying our approach on respect for human rights and to promote efforts to do so, we formulated the following Human Rights Policy in February 2024, which has been approved by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
Human Rights Policy
- Our commitment to respect human rights
We believe that respect for human rights is fundamental to our business *1 across the world. In an increasingly complex business environment, we face various human rights challenges. We believe that respecting and promoting human rights are directly linked to the sustainability of our business activities. Since our founding, we have been promoting fair and sound business activities based on our corporate philosophy, the Three Corporate Principles *2 . The Three Corporate Principles guide us in striving to enrich society, both materially and spiritually, while contributing towards the preservation of the global environment. We believe respect for human rights relates deeply rooted in our philosophy. Based on these beliefs, we have established this Human Rights Policy (hereafter “this Policy”), which represents our commitment to respect human rights throughout our business activities. - Scope of application
This Policy applies to all persons working for Mitsubishi Corporation. This Policy is shared with our group companies, and we will work together to ensure our adherence to this Policy, as well as to respect human rights throughout our business operations. - Outreach to business partners
We recognize the importance of respecting human rights not only within our own business activities but also throughout our value chain. We will work together with our business partners, including our suppliers, to respect human rights in line with this Policy. - Support and respect for international norms
We support international norms on human rights, including the International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenants on Human Rights), the Declaration on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
We comply with the local laws and regulations of the countries and regions in which we operate. In cases where there is a conflict between internationally recognized human rights principles and the laws and regulations of the country or region in which we operate, we will seek ways to honor the international principles. - Human Rights Due Diligence
We conduct human rights due diligence to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on human rights and engage with affected stakeholders where relevant. We pay special attention to vulnerable or marginalized individuals and strive to identify actual or potential adverse human rights impacts that our business activities have caused or contributed to. - Human rights issues related to business activities in our group
We recognize the following as major human rights issues related to our business activities and will work to address them. - Prohibition of discrimination
We prohibit any discrimination based on race, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, age, origin, mental or physical disability, illness, or any other grounds. - Prohibition of inhumane treatment
We do not tolerate any forms of inhumane treatment including mental or physical abuse and harassment. - Providing a safe and healthy working environment
We provide our employees with a safe, and healthy working environment. - Respect for freedom of association and right to collective bargaining
We respect the right of employees to organize and to bargain collectively as a means to facilitate dialogue among employees and management regarding, but not limited to, working conditions and wage levels. - Securing appropriate working hours and wages
We properly manage our employees’ working hours. We compensate our employees at least the statutory minimum wage, and endeavor to pay at least the living wage. - Prohibition of all forms of forced labor
We employ all of our employees at their free will and prohibit the use of forced labor. - Prohibition of all forms of child labor
We do not employ children under the minimum working age and prohibit any forms of work that impairs their physical and mental development. - Rights of indigenous peoples and local communities
We respect the rights of indigenous and local people as defined by the laws and international arrangements of the countries and regions in which we operate. We will take measures that our business operation will not cause or contribute to cause threat to the rights of indigenous and local people. - Environment
Acknowledging the adverse impact of environmental destruction on human rights, we take measures to protect the global environment within our business activities. This includes addressing climate change and preserving and restoring natural capital, notably biodiversity. - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We aim to foster an inclusive society where individuals with diverse values and personalities are respected and have equal opportunities to participate and contribute.
- Remedy
When we identify that our business activities have caused or contributed to adverse human rights impacts, we will remediate such impacts through legitimate processes.
In case if adverse impacts were directly linked to our operations, products, or services by a business relationship, we will endeavor to correct and remedy the situation by using our leverage. - Grievance mechanism
We recognize that establishing a grievance mechanism, which consists of a series of processes to address internal and external stakeholder grievances, is crucial to identifying adverse human rights impacts concerning our operations and value chain. We will establish and operate grievance mechanisms to enable individuals and groups to show concerns about adverse human rights impacts caused by our business activities and seek remedies. - Education and capacity building
We will provide the necessary training and capacity building to ensure that our officers, employees, suppliers, and other business partners understand the importance of respecting human rights and put it into practice. - Information disclosure
We ensure transparency by regularly and appropriately disclosing information on our human rights efforts and their progress. - Stakeholder engagement
We engage with relevant stakeholders through sincere and constructive dialogue to understand, improve and address human rights issues. - Governance and management system
Our human rights efforts are overseen by the Corporate Functional Officer responsible for sustainability efforts and practices. Following deliberations by the Sustainability Committee, these efforts and practices are put forward or reported to the Executive Committee*3 and the Board of Directors.
Established in February 1, 2024
Policies and Measures for Specific Matters
Policy on Children’s Rights
MC understands that children are especially vulnerable to human rights abuses and that special consideration to respect their rights is necessary. MC also believes that respecting the rights of children allows them to better understand their own rights, which in turn contributes to their ability to become active members of society and leaders of future generations. With this understanding, MC supports the United Nations and ILO treaties * regarding children’s rights and has established internal policies for its employees to ensure that child labor is not tolerated and that children’s rights are respected. In particular, MC supports the four principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including children’s survival and development rights, protection rights, and participation rights. As stated in the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management, MC will not employ any person who is under the minimum working age and will not engage in any employment that impairs children’s development. MC also supports the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, strives to prevent abuses of children’s rights in our business, and invests in social contributions through philanthropic efforts focused on children’s rights.
Through the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management, MC also expects its suppliers to conform to these standards by refraining from employing anyone under the minimum working age, and prohibiting children to work in any way that impairs their development.
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*
The UN Global Compact, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (ILO Convention No. 182), etc.
Policy on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
In the context of its overall commitment to respecting human rights, MC pays special attention to upholding the rights of indigenous peoples, acknowledging their unique social and legal status under national and international laws, as well as their unique histories and cultural contributions throughout the world. When examining new business investment proposals, MC takes into consideration how the business operations may impact the rights of indigenous peoples and will consult with the relevant stakeholders. MC supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (ILO Convention No. 169).
Policy on the Appointment of Armed Security
MC understands the importance of protecting its employees from dangers such as violence and preventing theft of assets throughout its business operations, and retains armed security services when deemed necessary. MC believes that the abuse of weapons by security forces involves a potential risk of human rights abuse. With regard to retaining armed security services, in addition to complying with the laws of the countries and regions in which it operates and adhering to international standards, MC also supports relevant international agreements*.
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*
The UN Global Compact, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, etc.
Response to Modern Slavery Act
MC issues statements in response to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Canada Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, which require companies to diclose actions taken to mitigate modern slavery in their supply chains.
Previous Modern Slavery Statement (UK)
Previous Modern Slavery Report (Canada)