Basic Concept
Under our Corporate Principles and Business Policy, TECHNO ASSOCIE has an unwavering commitment to contributing to society through fair business practices. We have also formulated the Charter of Corporate Behavior as a set of basic rules for earning the trust and confidence of society.
Guided by a shared awareness of these principles, we have established a framework for decision-making that ensures sound management as well as legal, appropriate, and efficient execution of business. We are also strengthening our system for monitoring and revising the aforementioned framework in an effort to raise corporate value.
Fully aware of our mission in society as a corporate entity, we will contribute to the sustainable development of society. We will do so through ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and reducing the environmental burden of our business activities.
Compliance
TECHNO ASSOCIE sees compliance as “meeting societyʼs expectations.” For us compliance goes beyond complying with laws and regulations; we are aware of societyʼs expectations of our company and expect all employees to have the mindset to meet those expectations. In order to continue to be a scandal-free group, we expect every single employee to act with honesty and integrity, and carry out initiatives to strengthen compliance throughout the entire Group to ensure that we comply with laws and regulations and fulfill our ethical responsibilities.
Compliance Promotion System (Risk Management System)
TECHNO ASSOCIEʼs Compliance Risk Management Committee handles risk and compliance matters across the Group. It carries out activities such as analyzing risks, discussing preventative measures, and issuing directions on specific recurrence prevention measures.
Examples of Compliance Initiatives
Whistleblower (Hotline) System
The Group provides internal and external points of contact for whistleblowing in each country to receive information on illegal acts, violations of laws, etc. We have formulated whistleblower system regulations to protect the confidentiality of those who report or consult and prevent them from being treated unfavorably.
Whistleblowing cases in FY2024: 3
Compliance Training
As an initiative to enhance compliance, we provide compliance training as a priority training program for each of the positions, which are new employees, general office work positions, managerial positions and managers, in Japan.
Initiatives for Anti-corruption
In order to maintain and strengthen our relationship of trust with business partners through fair business practices, we put utmost effort into activities to prevent corruption (bribery, illicit payoffs, and conflicts of interest) and competition law violations (influence peddling, dumping, price fixing, unfair trade practices, and unfair restraint of trade), and ensure that everyone in the Group is aware of these activities. We have also issued TECHNO ASSOCIE Group CSR Procurement Guidelines for business partners to promote fair business practices with our suppliers, who are our business partners, and grow together with our stakeholders.
Basic Philosophy on and Measures for Eliminating Antisocial Forces
In our Charter of Corporate Behavior, we clearly state a basic policy to stand decisively against anti-social forces that threaten the order and safety of society.
Our HR & Administration Department works to gather information from relevant government organizations and other sources, has established an antisocial forces elimination system in collaboration with other relevant departments in the company, and ensures that employees are aware of such information through efforts such as providing internal training courses.
Risk Management
With regard to various risks that may affect our business, Compliance Risk Management Committee plays a central role in risk management and other activities, and basic principles are established, risks are identified, systems to appropriately manage risks are maintained, and measures against risks are considered. For example, we prepared risk check sheets for each major site. These activities are supervised by Risk Management and Compliance Committee and the divisions in charge in accordance with their respective manuals and policies. Corporate Auditors and the Internal Auditing Department monitor the risk management status of Techno Associe and its subsidiaries. In particular, in the event of the emergence of a serious risk, a task force shall be established to construct a framework for minimizing loss and damage.
Risk Management System (Compliance Promotion System)
TECHNO ASSOCIEʼs Compliance Risk Management Committee handles risk and compliance matters across the Group. It carries out activities such as analyzing risks, discussing preventative measures, and issuing directions on specific measures to prevent the recurrence of risks.
Responses to emergencies (e.g., natural disasters)
In response to the risks of natural disasters, epidemics, and cyberterrorism, we have formulated disaster response guidelines based on the basic policies of ensuring the safety of human life, stable supply of products and services, compliance, and corporate social responsibility. These guidelines form the core of our Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in case of unexpected events, enabling swift and effective responses with the aim of minimizing any impact on business activities.
Systems in case of major disasters and initial responses
Disaster response headquarters will be established in preparation for any major disaster. First and foremost, in case of an earthquake with a seismic intensity of upper 5 or greater, the safety check system automatically sends emails to employees at the earthquake site, and we promptly verify the safety of the employees and their family members, as well as any damage to homes. This initial response gives top priority to ensuring the safety of our employees and leads to prompt business continuity decisions.
Responses in case of epidemic
In the event of an epidemic, we will endeavor to collect information promptly by collaborating with the relevant ministries and specialized organizations. We will monitor the health status of employees and rigorously implement measures to prevent the spread of infection (e.g., recommending telecommuting, introducing staggered work hours, and reinforcing hygiene management). We will also endeavor to maintain service provision for our customers by identifying the operations necessary for business continuity, securing alternative personnel, and considering reorganization of operational structures.
Cyber terrorism countermeasures
We have established a continuous monitoring system, with the Information Systems Department at the center, to address the risks of cyberterrorism. It detects signs of unauthorized access and information leakage at an early stage, and clarifies a series of response procedures, from preventing the spread of damage, to system recovery, and information disclosure. Important data is regularly backed up and stored in separate locations, in preparation for any emergency. We conduct regular training for employees to enhance their security awareness and reinforce their ability to deal with threats.
Regular training and stockpiling system
We conduct regular emergency drills based on envisaged disasters, according to the risk of crises occurring at our locations. These drills are intended to reinforce the practical response capabilities of each employee, so they can take appropriate action in case of a disaster.
We also stockpile emergency supplies, including food for 3 days per person, at all locations and regularly refresh those supplies, in preparation for natural disasters. This ensures the conditions that would allow employees to rest assured that they can survive for a certain period of time, even if isolated.
Power outage countermeasures
As a countermeasure in case of power outages, we have equipped head office with emergency batteries as a backup power supply to enable the information equipment used for business purposes to remain operational. In addition, each location is equipped with emergency magnesium-air batteries mainly for charging cell phones, to ensure communication channels remain open.
FY2024 Head Office Emergency Drill Implementation Report and Future Outlook
In FY2024, head office conducted a series of 4 emergency drills assuming a major earthquake and fire have occurred: (1) roll call drill, (2) tsunami evacuation drill, (3) reporting, initial fire extinguishing, and evacuation guidance drill, and (4) evacuation drill.
The unspecified scenario drill had been an issue the previous year, so this year we included it in drill (3), the reporting, initial fire extinguishing, and evacuation guidance drill. More precisely, we adopted an approach that demands more practical responses when determining whether or not to fight a fire and selecting the firefighting method. We also endeavored to improve employees’ abilities to fight fires in their initial stage, through a more realistic firefighting drill that uses actual powder fire extinguishers.
We have examined the outcomes of this year’s training as well as the reports from our locations and are pursuing a review of our disaster response guidelines. Going forward, in addition to the further introduction of unspecified scenario training, we will also incorporate casualty transport drills (transport on a stretcher) and training via disaster prevention videos with the aim of enhancing drill content that improves awareness around fire prevention and disaster prevention, so that we can respond quickly and appropriately to any emergency.
Emergency drills
Information Security
In order to ensure information security, TECHNO ASSOCIE has established Basic Rules for Information Security that are commonly applied throughout the entire company and govern its business activities. Based on these Rules, each division or department has a set of procedures on the handling of confidential information according to the unique nature of its business in order to implement meticulous information control. Information security measures include reinforced security measures for computers, servers, and networks to prevent information leaking from within the company and unauthorized access from outside. All laptop hard disks are encrypted as well, to prevent leakage of confidential information in the event that one gets lost or stolen. We also work to boost employees’ awareness of information security by providing e-learning courses on information security on a regular basis, as well as training that simulates targeted e-mail attacks.
Furthermore, in an effort to counteract targeted attacks and daily evolving malware, we are introducing next-generation antivirus tools and managing computers (software) used at affiliated companies, both domestically and internationally. We are also strengthening security measures for servers for external use and improving the management of confidential information.
Security Export Control
In accordance with the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and other laws and regulations, we have established “Security Export Control Rules” which the Foreign Trade Administration Office follows as it takes the lead in proper operation of Security Export Control. All personnel involved in cargo exports and technical assistance are required to participate in e-learning courses related to Security Export Control, and for employees engaged in trading operations, a separate training course is held on classifying the applicability of List Controls.
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