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Sustainability

Initiatives related to Human Rights

Human Rights Policy

In March 2023, we established the Tokyo Metro Group Human Rights Policy to respect the human rights of all people affected by the Group's business activities.

As part of its efforts to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through ESG initiatives, the Group respects the human rights of each and every employee and implements various initiatives through dialogue with stakeholders. Our aim is to create a workplace which creates job satisfaction where diverse employees can thrive, and also to promote sustainability management.
The Policy represents the commitment of the Group to respecting human rights and applies to all our executives and employees. We will also seek the understanding and support of our suppliers, partners, etc. for the Policy, working with them to promote respect for human rights together.
In addition, our Sustainability Management Vision defines "Respect for Human Rights" as a materiality (key challenge). Additionally, in the new mid-term management plan "Tokyo Metro Plan 2024," we have set relevant indicators as KPIs, and will promote various initiatives, including human rights due diligence.
Based on the Policy, we will respect the human rights of all people, including customers, suppliers, employees, and local communities and societies, and conduct our business activities in a manner that makes the most of diverse values, aiming to create a sustainable society that offers peace of mind.

Tokyo Metro Group Human Rights Policy

The Tokyo Metro Group has established the Tokyo Metro Group Human Rights Policy (the "Policy") to respect the human rights of all people affected by the Group's business activities as we work to "Create a Sustainable Society that Offers Peace of Mind" based on the Group Ideal of "Keeping Tokyo on the Move." Based on the Group Ideal, our Resolution, Sustainability Management Vision, and Code of Conduct and Behavior Standards, the Policy represents our commitment to respecting human rights.

1. Basic approach

In addition to Japanese laws on human rights, based on the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (United Nations), the Tokyo Metro Group supports and respects international norms on human rights such as the International Bill of Human Rights (United Nations) and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (International Labour Organization), as well as the likes of the Children's Rights and Business Principles (UNICEF, UN Global Compact, Save the Children).
In addition, based on these international human rights norms, we will respect the human rights of all people, including customers, suppliers, employees, local communities and society, as well as conduct our business activities in a manner that makes the most of diverse values.

2. Scope

The Policy applies to all executives and employees (regardless of employment status) of the Tokyo Metro Group. We will also seek the understanding and support of our suppliers, partners, etc. for the Policy, working with them to promote respect for human rights together.

3. Responsibility to respect human rights

The Tokyo Metro Group will fulfill our responsibility to respect human rights by avoiding causing or contributing to negative impacts on human rights in our business activities, and by taking appropriate action to remediate any such impacts that do occur. We will also comply with the human rights and labor laws and regulations of each country, and work to prevent human rights violations. Even if the Tokyo Metro Group is not directly contributing to a negative impact on human rights, if our suppliers, partners, or other parties in the supply chain are causing negative impacts on human rights, the Tokyo Metro Group will work with such parties to encourage them to not violate human rights.

4. Priority human rights issues for the Tokyo Metro Group

The Tokyo Metro Group will comply with international norms on human rights, and will not commit or be complicit in discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, nationality, or any other grounds. We also prohibit human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor, and guarantee the likes of freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, and equal remuneration.
In addition, the Tokyo Metro Group recognizes the following as human rights issues that should be addressed as a priority. We will review this list from time to time in light of social changes, business trends, etc.

  • Violation of the right to receive goods and services safely
  • Violation of the right to enjoy a safe and healthy working environment and standard of living
  • Occurrence of overwork and therefore violation of the right to rest and leisure
  • Occurrence of harassment
  • Invasion of privacy
  • Discrimination in terms and conditions of employment and remuneration
  • Discrimination in opportunity and evaluation

5. Promotion structure

In order to implement the Policy, the Tokyo Metro Group has established a Sustainability Promotion Committee and will - under the supervision of the Board of Directors - promote initiatives to respect human rights.

6. Promotion of initiatives to respect human rights

(1) Human rights due diligence
In order to fulfill its responsibility to respect human rights, the Tokyo Metro Group will identify negative human rights impacts through a human rights due diligence mechanism, and work to prevent or mitigate those impacts.
When it is necessary to prioritize response measures, priority will be given to addressing the most serious negative impacts on human rights, taking into account scale, scope, and remediability.

(2) Remediation and remedy
The Tokyo Metro Group will work to remediate and remedy any negative human rights impacts - be they direct or indirect - through appropriate procedures.

(3) Dialog and consultation with stakeholders
The Tokyo Metro Group will strive to enhance and improve its efforts to respect human rights through sincere dialogue and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

(4) Education and training
The Tokyo Metro Group will provide education and training to its executives and employees to ensure that the Policy is understood, that the human rights of all people are respected, and that correct knowledge and awareness of human rights issues are embedded throughout the organization. We will also strive to ensure that suppliers and partners of the Tokyo Metro Group understand that they should not infringe on human rights.

(5) Disclosure of information
The Tokyo Metro Group will appropriately disclose information on the progress of its efforts to respect human rights based on the Policy through its website and other means.

The Policy was adopted by the Board of Directors on March 24, 2023.

Date of enactment March 24, 2023
President and Representative Director

山村 明義

Akiyoshi Yamamura

Conducting dialogue with experts

In January 2023, we conducted dialogue with external experts to verify the appropriateness of our Human Rights Policy content, including the process of policy identification. We engaged in an internal re-examination based on the wide range of opinions we received, and reflected in our Policy.

Experts

Center left: Ms. Akiko Sato, Lawyer / Business and Human Rights Liaison Officer, United Nations Development Programme

Center right: Mr. Hidemi Tomita, Managing Director, LRQA Sustainability K.K.

Key opinions

  • Tokyo Metro is a company with a large social impact, so society's expectations regarding sustainability are high.
  • We would expect the company to actively disseminate information on human rights both internally and externally, and also to serve as a model for railway companies.
  • Ensuring safety in rail transportation should be treated as an important human rights issue, as it guarantees the most fundamental of human rights, namely the right to life.
  • There is no problem with the number of human rights issues related to employees increasing in terms of their relevance to business activities.
  • It is important to be aware of rights holders, including minorities, when identifying priority action issues.
  • It is important to set the order of priority with proper awareness of remediability as well.