Corporate management focusing on stakeholders and environmental efforts are important for contributing to the sustainable development of the earth and society. The DOWA group strives to offer values to all of our stakeholders through our business activities, aimed at being a global company trusted by a wide range of people.
Measures Taken in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake of 3/11
The DOWA group has been fortunate to have only suffered indirect and minor harm to our employees, equipment and facilities. However, we suffered from the difficulty to procure materials and fuel, power shortages and frequent aftershocks. In May, we were able to restart operations of all of our business establishments through cooperation with each other and their efforts to procure resources and materials to reduce impacts on our business. We also delivered relief supplies to the affected areas immediately after the earthquake and donated 10,000,000 yen to the Central Community Chest of Japan. Our employees donated 3.25 million yen of money for relief.
Preparation of Business Continuity Plan
The DOWA group reviewed the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and decided to prepare a new one in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011. In November 2011 the briefing sessions were held in six places across Japan targeted for persons responsible for and in charge of preparing the BCP. The DOWA group will complete the first version of the BCP by the end of June 2012.
We are expected to answer the question of how to continue business in assuming our responsibility for supplying goods and services to our customers and also in relationship with our stakeholders. Each business establishment should prepare the BCP appropriate to its own situation and needs.
For example, Shizuoka Prefecture predicts that the Tokai Earthquake will happen soon and therefore, local government and companies are conscious of preventative measures to cope with earthquakes. DOWA Metals and Mining and DOWA Metanix have already set the measures in place. In these business establishments, they scrutinized and improved their BCP. In those briefing sessions case studies of the BCP were presented and participants deepened their understanding in preparation of the BCP.
Social Contribution Program to Send Books to the Affected Areas
The DOWA group participated in the "Volunteer Book Delivery Service" in cooperation with the Book-Off Company as part of support for reconstruction of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Our employees brought used books and CDs in the office and Book-Off purchased them. The money was donated to various groups. The DOWA group donated the money to the Shanti Volunteer Association that operates mobile libraries in the affected areas. The "Mobile Library of Iwate Project" delivers books to the temporary housing along the coast of Iwate Prefecture. The money from collected books and CDs were used for purchasing new books for those mobile libraries. These books helped the affected people living in the temporary housing to communicate one another. Requests to purchase books from them helped relevant parties to understand the needs of the affected people. The DOWA group collected used books from employees in November 2011 and March 2012 and the money from 2,887 books and CDs were donated.
I was not sure how many books and CDs would be collected, as this was the first time we participated in the Volunteer Book Delivery Service. However, our employees brought in many books and CDs. I was impressed with their kindness. As an employee of the DOWA group that is engaged in resource-recycling business, I feel empathy to this program that generates new value to the used books and make them again useful. I am very grateful to Book-Off Online and the Shanti Volunteer Association.
Fuki Matsunami
DOWA HD CSR Department
Relationship with Stakeholders
The Dowa group communicates with our stakeholders, including our customers, shareholders, investors, partners, local communities and employees in many ways at our offices and business units.
| Main stakeholders | Our Responsibility | Opportunities | |
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| Customers | All customers who use the products and services offered by the DOWA group |
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| Shareholders and investors | Individual or institutional investors including our shareholders |
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| Partners | All partners who collaborate with us for provision of the products and services offered by the DOWA group |
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| Local communities | People in local communities who we interact with through our offices and main business activities |
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| Employees (including their family members) | Employees who work in the DOWA group and their family members |
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Ensuring quality and safety of our products and servicesRelationship with Central and Local Governments and Industrial Groups
The DOWA group coordinates and cooperates with central and local governments and the industrial community to improve and resolve social concerns while engaging business activities.
Public policy proposals
The top executives participate in various committees and propose public policies.
| [Example of participation] | Full-time Corporate Counselor of DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd. Hirokazu Yoshikawa |
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| April 2007 until present | Member the Central Environment Council, Ministry of the Environment | |
| March 2010 until present | Member of the Government Revitalization Unit, Cabinet Office | |
Participation in industrial groups
The DOWA group is a member of several industrial organizations such as Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) and Japan Mining Industry Association. DOWA group is working on specific issues of the business world and the industry.
| [Example of participation] | Full-time Corporate Counselor of DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd. Hirokazu Yoshikawa |
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| June 2004 until present | Executive Director, Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) |
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| April 2007 until present | Chairman of the Waste Recycling Subcommittee, the Environmental Safety Committee, Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) | |
| October 2010 until present | Co-Chairman, Task Force for Promoting China's Recycling Economy, Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) |
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| President and representative director of DOWA Holdings, Co., Ltd. Masao Yamada | ||
| April 2012 until present　 | Chairman of the Japan Mining Industry Association | |
Participation in various international organizations and consortiums
The DOWA group has been participating in the UN Global Compact (UN GC) since March 2009. The DOWA group is committed to implementing the GC's ten principles in four areas of the Global Compact of human rights, labor, environment and anti corruption towards sustainable development of society.
Global Compact Japan Network　http://www.ungcjn.org
Evaluation from society
The DOWA group is recognized as follows from mass media and relevant groups.
[Main awards received in 2011]
DOWA HIGHTECH Co., Ltd., The 12th Saitama Environmental Award from Saitama Prefecture
BPEC CSR Supply Chain Award Good Practice Award by the Plant Bureau of the Thai Ministry of Industry
ESBEC Waste processor ranging level by the Plant Bureau of the Thai Ministry of Industry
ECO-SYSTEM Sanyo Letter of appreciation received from Okayama Prefecture for a service provider that removed neglected industrial wastes
Our Efforts for Human Rights and Corruption Prevention
The DOWA Group is committed to prohibiting unjustifiable discrimination due to nationality, race, ethnic group, religion, sex, age and disability; child labor; forced labor and tackling with corruption prevention under the ten principles of the UN Global Compact (UN GC).
We strive to understand the circumstances relating to human rights by conducting surveys in our operational subsidiaries both in Japan and abroad. In 2011 persons in charge of the CSR department of DOWA headquarters visited overseas operating subsidiaries and conducted a hearing on the situation of each country.
We did not receive any report on discrimination relating human rights, child labor, forced labor and actual cases of corruption. The DOWA group will continue to respect human rights and promote corruption prevention measures.
< Respect for Religion >
PPLi (Bogor, Indonesia) is the only plant that has final disposal facilities of hazardous wastes in Indonesia and deploys environmental business activities including recycling, soil remediation and site services, focusing on disposal of industrial wastes.
Indonesian people are religious and most of the employees of PPLi are Muslim. The company recognizes that Indonesian people positions culture and religion at the center of their local communities and donates money for building and supporting a mosque.
Compliance
Aiming at making a safer and more comfortable working environment, we set up the DOWA Hotline Desk and advertise the desk through in-house posters. Through this hotline desk employees can discuss their problems in the workplace directly with corporate lawyers. The DOWA Hotline Desk is open even for customers and partners so that we can build up sound relations outside our company.
In 2011 we did not receive any inquiries on improper behaviors or any advice from governmental agencies. We will continue to encourage compliance in the DOWA group.
Relationship with Local Communities
The DOWA group positions CSR as one of the important activities in local communities. Every business establishment both in Japan and abroad is actively participating in CSR activities including: participation in tree planting festivals, afforestation in local communities, accepting visitors to our plants, offering on-the-job training, sponsorship and support for sports events.
Blossom Corridor
Cherry Blossom Festival
(Okayama Prefecture)
Tree planting festival
(Akita Prefecture)
Social Contribution Activities
We believe a company should gain trust from society and grow with society as a member of local citizens. We continue to support NPOs and groups related to education and welfare in local communities where we conduct business.
Support for Fostering the Next Generation |
Okayama Prefecture |
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Children dancing in a local event
DOWA IP Creation (Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture) started supporting NPO TAP who is engaged in childcare and education in 2011.
Our dormitory that was used for employees located next to a local elementary school was lent out free of charge for an after-school care program where school kids can play safely after school. At present, approximately 50 children including children of our employees use the facility. It is also used as a place to help junior and senior high school students with their studies.
Support for the Disabled People to Be Socially Independent |
Kumamoto Prefecture |
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Special workplace
In 2003Act-B Recycling (Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture) started offering a training facility for the disabled people to be more socially independent and to reenter society. This facility accepts people with minor disability from the "Group Eco", mentally disabled people from the "Waku Work Minamata" and mentally and physically disabled people from the "Minamata Social Welfare Workplace" for employment support. We task them with disassembling OA appliances and circuit boards. They also manufacture chopstick rests by processing used glass of cathode-ray tubes and magnets in cooperation with the "Hot House" where the affected people from fetal and infantile Minamata disease and the disabled people work.
Work lines
In 2009 we installed special work lines for disassembling with no blades involved in the lines. Workers use air drivers and some classification boxes with photographs for disassembling. These lines help to create a safe and pleasant working environment. Last year we built multiple-purpose toilets next to the work facility.
Now from 20 to 25 disabled people are working with the support of instructors every day. Their enthusiastic and hard working attitudes stimulate our employees. Many of them participate in our company events such as the end-of-the-year party or company retreats to integrate with our employees.
Local Activities through Sports Events
The DOWA group sponsors various sports events, aimed at vitalizing local communities and sound growth of the next generation through sports. We believe we can foster these events to be deeply rooted in local communities by planning the events together with local people.
The 2nd Kojima Lake Blossom Corridor Exciting Health Marathon Held |
Okayama Prefecture |
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Blossom Corridor Marathon Race
We held a Blossom Corridor Marathon Race starting from and ending at the Blossom Corridor Golf Course in November 2011. The DOWA group established the Kojima Blossom Corridor Supporters Club to improve the environment around Lake Kojima. This club started this marathon race to promote exchanges between our employees and local people through sports. We had 1,300 entries for 14 categories and three courses from 19 prefectures including a wide range of age groups. We would like to invite more people for the event to establish this as a sport event that is deeply rooted in local communities.
DOWA Cup Jr. Cross Country Ski Competition at Lake Towada Held |
Akita Prefecture |
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DOWA Cup Jr. Cross Country Ski
Competition at Lake Towada
Every year we hold a DOWA Cup Ski Competition at the Lake Towada in February. This event is one of the largest ski festivals in Japan for elementary school and junior high school students. This year was the the 22nd Competition. The operation of the competition is supported by many volunteers who record, coordinate the races and take care of visitors as well as members of local ski clubs and local governments. In this competition we invite entries for sit skiing, an official sport of the Paralympics. Sit ski is a race specialized for disabled people who need a wheelchair to move around. We received many entries for sit ski this year. We will strive to foster the next generation through sports events, responding to enthusiasm of skiers with support from and cooperation with local people.
