KOKUYO Group Code of Conduct

KOKUYO Group Code of Conduct

After expanding overseas, we wanted to set common rules for our businesses while taking into account local cultures, values, and laws. Accordingly, in August 2012, we released the KOKUYO Group Code of Conduct together with an accompanying handbook. The code outlines common rules, while the handbook includes supplementary information on country- and region-specific business practices, regulations, and so on.

Code of Conduct (Japan edition)

1. Purpose
The KOKUYO Group Code of Conduct (“Code”) outlines basic rules for officers and employees in order to ensure that all business practices comply with laws, regulations, and social norms.
2. Scope
The Code applies to all “officers and employees,” meaning officers and employees of KOKUYO and those of companies falling under the categories provided for in the Group Governance Code—namely, Controlling Company, Core Company A, Affiliate A, and Core Company B.
3. Definitions
As used herein, “KOKUYO Group” means KOKUYO Co., Ltd., and all companies falling under the categories listed in Article 2. As used herein, “laws” means all laws, ordinances, and regulations (including but not limited to those in Japan) that are germane to KOKUYO Group’s businesses, while “internal rules” means all rules, protocols, requirements, and guidelines that apply throughout KOKUYO Group or in one or more of the companies therein. As used herein, “officers” means members of a company’s board of directors and members of a company’s audit/supervisory committee (or equivalent thereof), while “employees” means individuals a company employs directly, including regular employees, senior employees, contract works, part-timers, and casual employees.
4. Content
1. Compliance with laws and internal rules and acting with integrity
We not only comply with laws and internal rules, but also act with high ethical standards and integrity.

2. Respect for Human Rights and Personality
We must never discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, language, gender, disability, or similar status. They must never commit sexual harassment, bullying, or any other form of workplace harassment. They must never condone child labor or forced labor.

3. Preservation of the global environment
We must never disregard environmental issues such as climate change and deforestation. They must engage in an organization-wide effort to reduce or mitigate KOKUYO Group’s carbon footprint.

4. Free competition and fair trading
We comply with laws and internal rules related to prohibition of monopolization, fair competition and fair trading and will not engage in conduct that deviates from these standards

5. Provision of safe and reliable goods and services
We must continually devote ourselves to KOKUYO Group’s mission of providing safe, reliable goods and services that win customers’ trust and leave them satisfied.

6. Proper handling of company assets and protection of intellectual property
We properly manage, maintain, and utilize every tangible and intangible company asset. We respect the intellectual property rights of others.

7. Proper information management and financial reporting
We honestly and properly create records of the company, as well as manage and report information collected and obtained in the course of business in accordance with proper procedures based on the materiality of such information. We carry out accounting and financial reporting in compliance with laws and internal rules relevant to financial, accounting, and tax affair

8. Prohibition of acts involving conflicts of interest
We will not engage in any act that involves or may involve a conflict between personal and corporate interests. If there is a possible conflict of interest, we will report it to our superiors.

9. Prohibition of insider trading
We will not engage in insider trading or any act that triggers insider trading laws or regulations in connection with the trading in shares of the Kokuyo Group or any other company

10. Proper management of entertainment and gifts
We will not give or receive entertainment and gifts in deviation from normal business practices.
We will not illegally give entertainment or gifts to public servants or government officials.

11. Handling of unreasonable external demands
We must refuse any unreasonable request from outside parties.
5. Dissemination
KOKUYO Group companies must help disseminate the Code among their officers and employees in collaboration with the organizational division responsible for managing the Code.
6. Penalties
Any officer or employee found to have violated the Code may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with laws and internal regulations.
7. Revision, revocation
Any officer or employee found to have violated the Code may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with laws and internal regulations.
Supplementary provisions
The Code is in effect as of August 20, 2012.
Revision dates
October 1, 2015
June 1, 2020
June 26, 2020