In addition to manufacturing and marketing ham, sausages and processed foods, the NH Foods Group is also engaged in livestock farming, making us a rare presence within the food industry. Our Group supplies approximately 6% of the proteins consumed in Japan*.
Given these unique qualities, we are committed to fulfilling our responsibility to the global environment and society through a wide range of sustainability activities centered on proteins.
Today, Japan’s livestock industry faces serious challenges such as labor shortages, aging producers, and dilapidated facilities. To address these issues, we are optimizing our infrastructure through co-creation with the ZEN-NOH Group. We will also help the livestock industry to sustainably develop through the introduction of digital technologies reducing burden on livestock farmers.
Furthermore, we are working on the theme of “Proteinnovation” (protein innovation) as a new challenge toward the future of food. This is an initiative to increase future protein options and create more enriched food possibilities through research and development of plant-based meat substitutes and cell-based foods.Furthermore, in order to maximize the bounties of nature, we are taking on the challenge of creating new value in non-food fields such as cosmetics and medical products by utilizing by-products from the production of fresh meats.
A sustainability activity that is unique to our Group, where we contribute to the excitement of deliciousness and the joy of good health, is our contribution to the community through food and sports at the HOKKAIDO BALL PARK F VILLAGE. Since its opening in 2023, it has been not only a baseball stadium, but also a venue for various events and enjoyment for many people. A new station is also scheduled to open there in 2028, and new urban area development is underway that will not only focus on food but also energize the body and mind with an approach integrating food, lodging, entertainment, and education.
Our commitment to sustainability comes from the daily activities of each and every employee. Activities connected to the environment are becoming more widespread within our Group, including the reduction of plastic packaging for mainstay products such as Schau Essen and Chuka Meisai, and the introduction of solar power generation at each of our sites to reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, a new initiative to create a carbon neutral farm has been launched in Nanporo-cho, Hokkaido.
Furthermore, in order to firmly establish and promote sustainability activities, we have been working to foster a corporate culture that stimulates innovation through the introduction of systems and mechanisms that encourage challenge. One such mechanism is the Sustainability Award, a new part of our internal award system as of about four years ago to recognize outstanding activities.
We believe that each of us can achieve further growth and contribute to society by thinking and acting independently.
We will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by looking ahead to the future and continuing to take on challenges without fear of change.
- Note: Estimates by NH Foods based on Company and external data (research as of 2019)
Nobuhisa Ikawa
President and Representative Director
Click here to view our Sustainability Report, which summarizes our sustainability initiatives to achieve a sustainable society.