Measuring Progress

We have identified the Five Materialities as social issues that must be prioritized in order to realize Vision 2030.
We have formulated a policy, measures, and indicators for each initiative addressing each materiality.
For qualitative measures, the year of achievement is set to 2030, and for quantitative measures, the year of achievement is set for each measure.
We will continue to promote these initiatives through dialogue with our stakeholders.

Progress of materialities

The status of our initiatives for materialities is as follows. We report progress focusing on those areas with quantitative targets.

See here for the Materialities Progress Report FY2022 [132 KB / 4pages]

See here for the Materialities Progress Report FY2021 [185 KB / 3pages]

Measures and indicators of materialities

Stable procurement and supply of proteins

Global population growth, climate change, and other factors are expected to make it increasingly difficult to supply proteins. The NH Foods Group aims to ensure the stable procurement and supply of proteins. In addition to existing quality-related safety and reliability initiatives, we will advance efforts to supply diverse proteins through consideration for the environment and social aspects such as human rights and animal welfare in our supply chains.

Social Issues Policies Measures and Indicators
Stable procurement and supply of proteins We will contribute to the health and physical development of people through the stable delivery of protein, which provides the power to live.
As for procurement, we will work with related stakeholders to maintain and stabilize a sustainable supply chain and contribute to resolving issues in the livestock business.
  • Improve protein intake as a power of life (in Japan)
  • Control livestock diseases
  • Promote Sustainable procurement
    • Disseminate policies to critical primary suppliers* 1 and achieve a 100% implementation rate for SAQ(Self-Assessment Questionnaire) by FY2023
    • Disseminate policies to critical primary suppliers and achieve a 100% implementation rate for SAQ, and disseminate policies to critical secondary suppliers and implement SAQ by FY2030
  • Carry out due diligence on suppliers regarding human rights
  • Promote initiatives that take animal welfare into consideration
    • Eliminate gestation crates on all farms*2 in Japan (pigs), achieving an implementation rate of 9.5% by FY2023 and 100% by FY2030
    • Install drinking water facilities in lairage pens at all meat processing plants*2 in Japan (pigs and cattle) by FY2023
    • Install cameras on all farms and meat processing plants*2 in Japan to ensure environmental quality by FY2024
  • Develop and utilize new technologies such as smart livestock farming
Greater choice of protein In response to lifestyle changes, etc., we will promote the expansion and sale of plant-derived protein products and pursue new alternative proteins.
  • Expand sales of plant-derived protein products
    • Achieve a shipment amount of ¥1 billion by FY2023 and ¥10 billion by FY2030
  • Develop alternative meat technologies
Food safety and reliability We will promote the acquisition of third-party certification for food safety and training on food safety for our employees in order to deliver safe and secure products.
  • Promote acquisition of third-party certification (FSSC22000, SQF, BRC, JFS, etc.)
  • Develop human resources through specialized technical certification and other training
    • Achieve the number of employees who have taken e-learning courses of 46,000 by FY2023 and 67,000 by FY2030
    • Achieve the number of employees who have completed basic technicaltraining of 1,900 by FY2023 and 2,400 by FY2030
    • Achieve the number of employees who have passed the professional certification examination of 67 by FY2023 and 90 by FY2030
    • Achieve the number of employees who have passed the Food Labeling Examination (Intermediate) of 570 by FY2023 and 760 by FY2030
    • Achieve the number of employees who have passed the Food Labeling Examination (Advanced)of 60 by FY2023 and 90 by FY2030

Note:*1 Critical Suppliers:We position suppliers with large transaction amounts and suppliers who deliver materials, packaging, livestock products, feeds, etc. that cannot be substituted as “critical suppliers"
*2 For companies in which the NH Foods Group holds a majority stake

Food diversification and health

Changes in lifestyle and other factors are leading to the need for diverse solutions in the area of food as well. The NH Foods Group will contribute to a happy and healthy life by developing products and providing services that meet diverse needs.

Social Issues Policies Measures and Indicators
Food allergy support We are working to improve the quality of life of those with food allergies and their families by expanding our products and services, primarily centered around food.
  • Expand our lineup of food allergy-related products and raise awareness of food allergies
    • Achieve a shipment amount of ¥1.9 billion by FY2023 and ¥4 billion by FY2030
  • Research and disseminate information on food allergies
Health promotion We will promote the development of products that both taste good and contribute to health, contributing to the joy of eating and healthy living.
We will also promote research and disseminate information on extending healthy life expectancy through industry-government-academia collaboration.
  • Research and commercialize new ingredients for improving cognitive function
    • Supply the equivalent of 1.65 million meals per year by FY2023 and 3 million by FY2026
  • Develop products that contribute to health
  • Disseminate information on extending healthy life expectancy
Food diversification We will contribute to a variety of dietary lifestyles by providing products that respond to various cultures and values.
  • Develop and sell products that respond to a diverse range of cultures, religions, etc.

Contributing to a sustainable environment

We face various environmental issues such as climate change, food loss, and marine plastic litter. The NH Foods Group’s businesses involve bringing our customers the bounty of nature, and we are determined to help solve issues such as greenhouse gases, food loss, and plastics throughout the value chain.

Social Issues Policies Measures and Indicators
Responding to climate change We will consider measures to deal with climate change, work to reduce and control greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to reducing our environmental impact.
Additionally, we will promote research and technological development through internal and external cooperation.
  • Reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels
    • Japan: FY2023 target of 15.9% or higher compared to FY2013 and FY2030 target of 46% or higher compared to FY2013
    • Overseas: FY2030 target of 24% or higher compared to FY2021
  • Promote research and technological development to control and reduce greenhouse gases derived from livestock
Resource saving and recycling We will work to reduce the amount of water used, which is one of the planet’s most important resources, as well as the amount of waste generated at our business sites. We will also promote resource recycling and contribute to reducing our environmental impact.
Additionally, we will work to address water risks and reduce food loss.
  • Reduce water consumption *1
    • Japan: FY2030 target of 5% per production unit compared to FY2019
    • Overseas: FY2030 target of 5% per production unit compared to FY2021
  • Reduce waste emissions in Japan *2
    • FY2030 target: 5% per production unit compared to FY2019
  • Improve the waste recycling rate in Japan
    • FY2030 target: 92% or higher
  • Use environmentally friendly materials (recycled materials, biomass materials, etc.) and reduce the amount of packaging materials used
  • Identify areas with high water risk, survey actual conditions in these areas, and respond to issues
  • Promote the reduction of food loss from manufacturing, sales, and distribution
Addressing biodiversity We will promote the procurement of sustainable resources and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. We will switch to certified products for palm oil.
  • Raise the ratio of RSPO-certified palm oil used
    • FY2030 target: 100%, including book & claim
  • Promote forest conservation activities

Note:Coverage of the Plan:
*1 Water consumption at NH Foods Group manufacturing factory in Japan and Overseas
*2 Waste discharges at NH Foods Group manufacturing factory in Japan

Co-creation and shared prosperity with local communities and society as a whole through food and sports

As a good corporate citizen, the NH Foods Group aims to be an enterprise loved and trusted by local communities and society as a whole, as we walk and grow together, deepening ties formed through food and sports.

Social Issues Policies Measures and Indicators
Local community deveropment We will contribute to the development of local communities by collaborating with local communities through sports, local cultural activities, social welfare activities through food, support for the development of the next generation through food and dietary education, etc. We will also place importance on dialogue with the local communities in which we operate and work to resolve issues.
  • Promote activities for co-creation with local communities through sports (new HOKKAIDO BALLPARK, sports/food education classes, etc.)
  • Promote community contribution activities, including cultural activities (cooperation and clean-up activities for local events, etc.)
  • Promote social welfare activities through food (supplying food to food banks and “Kodomo Shokudo* ,” etc.)
  • Support the development of the next generation through food and dietary education, etc. (in-class lessons, career development support, etc.)

Note: Initiatives that provide meals to children in need

Employee development and respect for diversity

The NH Foods Group aims to be a place where employees can feel truly happy and fulfilled. Based on a deep respect for individuals, we strive to create workplaces where employees can thrive and demonstrate their unique strengths.

Social Issues Policies Measures and Indicators
Enhancing job satisfaction for employees We will promote a human resources management strategy that improves the motivation of our employees.
  • Support job satisfaction
    • Percentage of positive responses to employee surveys: 80% or more*1 by FY 2030
  • Foster a corporate culture that encourages employees to take on challenges
    • Percentage of positive responses to employee surveys: 80% or more*1 by FY 2030
  • Carry out initiatives for fair evaluation and compensation
Respect for diversity We will work to improve value creativity by promoting the active participation of a diverse range of human resources, as well as labor productivity through work style reform. Additionally, we will promote health and safety management and comply with labor-related laws.
  • Utilizing the potential of diverse individuals.
    • Percentage of mid-career hires: 15% or more*1 by FY 2030
  • Career development for women
    • Achieve a percentage of female managers of 8% or higher by FY2023 and 20% or higher*1 by FY2030
    • Percentage of women in supervisory positions or higher : 35% or more*1,2 by FY 2030
  • Promotion of employment for people with disabilities
    • Achieve a percentage of workers with disabilities of 2.3% or higher*1,3 by FY2023, maintain it thereafter
  • Reduction of total working hours
    • FY2023 targets: 1,980 or less total working hours, 240 or less overtime hours*1
    • FY2030 targets: 1,870 or less total working hours, 200 or less overtime hours*1
  • Support for physical and mental health
    • FY2023 targets: 90% of employees to undergo follow-up health checks, 25% or less smoking ratio, 100% stress examination coverage*1
    • FY2030 targets: 100% of employees to undergo follow-up health checks, 12% or less smoking ratio, 100% stress examination coverage*1
  • Ensure respect for human rights (carry out human rights education)
  • Establish a human rights due diligence framework

Note: Scope:
*1 The statistics relate to NH Foods Ltd.
*2 supervisory positions:The deputy manager, assistant manager, and chief are included
*3 Targets to be adjusted as necessary in line with changes in the law