Sustainability 2026 Vision
The basis of "the Meiji Group's Approach to sustainability" is to fulfill sustainability by putting the Group Philosophy into practice on a day-to-day basis in mainstay businesses and by remaining a corporate group society needs. Each Meiji Group employee will advance activities based on the Corporate Behavior Charter to meet stakeholders' expectations and continue fulfilling social responsibilities.
The Meiji Group’s Mission in Sustainability Activities
Toward the Meiji Group’s Next 100 Years, Designing a Future Where Everyone Around the World is Happy and Healthy.
The Meiji Group will mark the 110th anniversary of our founding in 2026. We must reconstruct our foundations with a view to the next 100 years to further enhance the Group’s corporate value. Currently, society is at a major turning point. Companies are required to not only expand their business scale but also contribute to solving social issues through their business activities. We will once again review the significance and role of our business activities in society and strengthen activities unique to the Meiji Group that originated from the idea of solving social issues.
The Meiji Group Sustainability 2026 Vision
As Food and Health Professionals, We Contribute to Addressing Social Issues through Our Business Activities, and to Realizing a Sustainable Society for People to Live Healthy, Peaceful Lives.
The Meiji Group Sustainability 2026 Vision is broken down into three themes: Healthier Lives, Caring for the Earth and Thriving Communities, plus the shared theme: Sustainable Sourcing. Here, we identify and set materiality issues and KPIs. Based on this framework, shown in the figure, we promote specific sustainability activities and address social issues.
| Themes | Domains |
|---|---|
Healthier Lives |
Health and Nutrition 
Quality and Safety |
Caring for the Earth |
Climate Change 
Circular Economy 
Water 
Biodiversity |
Thriving Communities |
Human Resources 
Society |
Sustainable Sourcing |
|
Collaboration with UN agencies and relevant organizations Engagement in SDGs Meiji Group Sustainability 2026 Vision |
Meiji Group Sustainability 2026 Vision
Approach toward SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of the 17 goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 for the year 2030. In our endeavors, we have identified 13 primary goals that will contribute to society in the Meiji Group' business activities. Recognizing that FY2021 marks the beginning of "the Decade of Action"* to address the SDGs, we are working to achieve the SDGs through the Meiji Group Sustainability 2026 Vision.
See how our sustainability themes link to the SDGs
Meiji Group 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan
The Meiji Group has identified “fusing sustainability and business” as a key concept in the 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan. Sustainability activities in our business are becoming increasingly important. We plan to further strengthen our activities with the aim of becoming one of the leading sustainability companies in the global market.
Materiality in the 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan
The 12 materiality identified in the 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan are divided into four activity themes. These four activity themes can be characterized by two elements: initiatives that demonstrate the uniqueness of the Meiji Group and initiatives that serve as the foundation of our corporate activities. They are then positioned as materiality in a systematic manner. We have positioned “fusing sustainability and business” at the top of the list of activities unique to the Meiji Group. As an initiative that represents this activity, we will start an in-house certification system for Meiji Sustainable Products.
Structure of the Meiji Group' Sustainability Activities
Approach and Certification Criteria for Meiji Sustainable Products
The Meiji Sustainable Products in-house certification system is a system for providing products that contribute to the creation of a sustainable society. Products are evaluated based on the Meiji Group’s own unique criteria, and those that actively engage in sustainability activities with awareness of various social issues in each process of the value chain (development, procurement, production, distribution, and consumption) are certified as “Meiji Sustainable Products.”
The Meiji Group aims to provide customers with the social value created through sustainability activities as added value.
Materiality Matrix
Response to Materiality
Materiality/KPI List
We have created a medium to long-term vision for each materiality and formulated specific initiatives to be implemented in the 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan to achieve it. Please refer to the materiality/KPI list for major initiatives as well as the metrics and targets that measure their results and progress.
Materiality/KPI ListSustainability Activities for Materiality
| Domains | Materiality | Related Page |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Nutrition | Health and nutrition | Healthier lives > Health & Nutrition |
| The threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases | Healthier lives > Health & Nutrition > Measures Against Infectious Diseases | |
| Stable supply of pharmaceuticals by building a robust supply chain | Healthier lives > Health & Nutrition > Sustainable Supply of Pharmaceuticals | |
| Quality and Safety | Safety and reliability of product quality | Healthier lives > Quality and Safety |
| Climate Change | Climate Change | Caring for the Earth > Climate Change |
| Circular Economy | Circular economy | Caring for the Earth > Circular Economy |
| Water | Water | Caring for the Earth > Water |
| Biodiversity | Biodiversity | Caring for the Earth > Biodiversity |
| Society | Respect for human rights throughout the value chain | Thriving Communities > Human Rights |
| Marketing with high ethical standards | Healthier lives > Health & Nutrition > Contribute to Healthy Diets > Nutrition policies and related measures | |
| Human Resources | Growth and success for diverse human resources | Thriving Communities > Human Resources |
| Sustainable Sourcing | Building a supply chain that takes into account human rights and the environment | Sustainable Sourcing |
Materiality Identification Process
Compilation of Issues
We compiled a broad list of environmental, social, and economic issues by referring to international guidelines such as SASB Standards and GRI Standards, which set industry-specific standards, as well as international frameworks such as the UN Global Compact.
Identification of Risks and Opportunities, Evaluation of Importance
We identified risks and opportunities in the food and pharmaceutical industries for each of the listed topics. We also extracted latent risks and opportunities to conduct an evaluation of importance from a medium to long-term perspective. In the materiality analysis, we conducted a quantitative evaluation based around two axes: “importance to stakeholders” and “importance to the Meiji Group’s business.”
For the “importance to stakeholders” axis, we rated importance on a four-point scale for each of the six stakeholders that were newly defined in the 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan (customers, shareholders/investors, employees, business partners, local communities, government agencies/industry associations). We then conducted a weighted evaluation from a multifaceted perspective that considers impact on the environment and society.
For the “importance to the Meiji Group’s business” axis, we used the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)’s framework as a reference and rated importance on a five-point scale for each of the six types of capital that form corporate value (financial, manufactured, intellectual, human, social and relationship, natural). We then conducted a weighted evaluation for each of the six types of capital according to the amount that capital that would be damaged in the event of a risk and the amount that capital that would be increased through the business model in the event of an opportunity. The feature of this evaluation method is that it includes non-financial capital as well, so the evaluation is based on factors that will affect the future financial stock.
Identification of Risks and Opportunities, Evaluation of Importance
The results of the evaluation of importance were prioritized by the ESG Advisory Board after receiving opinions from three experts on the validity of the analysis process and the results of the analysis.
The Group Sustainability Committee exchanged opinions on the prioritization, reported to the Board of Directors, and materiality were identified.
Identified Materiality
We added “ quality and safety,” “biodiversity,” “stable supply of pharmaceuticals by building a robust supply chain,” and “ responsible marketing” as new materiality to the materiality identified in the 2023 Medium-Term Management Plan with the aim of achieving our Sustainability 2026 Vision.
Meiji Group 2023 Medium-Term Management Plan
Materiality in the 2023 Medium-Term Management Plan
- [ ] Scope of KPI
- Meiji G: the Meiji Group (consolidated)
- Meiji HD: Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
- Meiji: Meiji Co., Ltd.
- MSP: Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.
- KMB: KM Biologics Co., Ltd.
Healthier Lives
Health and Nutrition
| KPI | Base Year | Results | Targets | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | ||
| Increase sales growth of health-conscious products, nutrition-enriched products, products that contribute a super-aged society by at least 10% in FYE 3/2024, compared with FYE 3/2021 baseline [Meiji, consolidated (domestic) ] |
FYE 3/2021 | -3.1% | -3.1% | -0.9% | Increase sales by 10% or more |
| Enroll a total of 700,000 participants into nutrition and healthy diet education within three years from FYE 3/2022 to FYE 3/2024 [Meiji, unconsolidated] |
- | 188,000 participants | A total of 443,000 participants (FYE 3/2023: 255,000 participants) | A total of 725,000 participants (FYE 3/2024: 282,000 participants) | A total of 700,000 participants |
| Achieve a volume share of at least 50% in five1 Key drugs2 by FYE 3/2024 [MSP, consolidated (domestic) ] |
- | 32.4%3 | 35.2%3 | 36.7%3 | 50% or more |
| Aim for launch of COVID-19 vaccines by FYE 3/2024 [MSP, KMB, unconsolidated] |
- | Under development | Under development | Under development4 | Release a vaccine |
Caring for the Earth
Climate Change
| KPI | Base Year | Results | Targets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2031 | FYE 3/2051 | ||
| Reduce company-wide CO2 emissions (Scope 1, 2) by at least 50% by FYE 3/2031 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated subsidiaries of Meiji Group) | FYE 3/2020 | 11.3% | 14.9% | TBC | 19% or more | 50% or more | Achieve Carbon Neutral |
| Reduce CO2 emissions (Scope 3 from purchased goods and services, upstream and downstream transportation and distribution, and end of life treatment of sold products) by at least 30% by FYE 3/2031 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated subsidiaries of Meiji Group)1 | FYE 3/2020 | - | 6.7% | TBC | 11% or more | 30% or more | |
| Reduce CO2 emissions (Scope 3 from purchased goods and services) by at least 30% by FYE 3/2031 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated subsidiaries of Meiji Group)1 |
FYE 3/2020 | - | 5.7% | TBC | 11% or more | 30% or more | |
| Expand renewable energy usage to make up at least 50% of total company-wide usage by FYE 3/2031 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
- | 5.3% | 9.5% | TBC | 15% or more | 50% or more | 100% |
| Total abolition of CFC-using refrigeration, freezer, and other equipment at all production sites by FYE 3/2031 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
FYE 3/2021 | 48.6% | 57.0% | TBC | Reduce equipment over 35% | Achieve total abolition | - |
Circular Economy
| KPI | Base Year | Results | Targets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2031 | FYE 3/2051 | ||
| Consolidated domestic recycle rate 85% or above by FYE 3/2024 [Meiji G, consolidated (domestic)] |
- | 80.5% | 86.1% | TBC | 85% or more | - | zero emission |
| Reduce product waste in our domestic food business by 50% by FYE 3/2026 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated domestic subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
FYE 3/2017 | 34.1% | 31.5% | TBC | 42% or more | 50% (by FYE 3/2026) |
|
| Reduce domestic plastic usage (packaging, etc.) by at least 25% by FYE 3/2031 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated domestic subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
FYE 3/2018 | 16.0% | 18.3% | TBC | 15% or more | 25% or more | Minimize the use of new natural capital |
| Ensure 100% effective use of materials used by our logistics division (pallets, crates, and stretch film, etc.) by FYE 3/2031, through reuse and recycling. (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated domestic subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
- | 100% | 100% | 100% | - | 100% | |
| Expand usage of bioplastics and recycled plastics (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated domestic subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
- | Newly used for Kaju Gummy packaging | Newly used for Meiji Oishii Gyunyu packaging | Newly used for probiotic yogurt packaging | - | - | |
Water
| KPI | Base Year | Results | Targets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2031 | FYE 3/2051 | ||
| Reduce company-wide water consumption per unit of sales by at least 15% by FYE 3/2031 (compared with FYE 3/2021) [Meiji G, consolidated] | FYE 3/2021 | 6.4% | 13.4% | TBC | - | 15% or more | 50% |
| Replenish an amount of water to nature equivalent to 45% the amount used in our products by FYE 3/2031 [Meiji G, consolidated] | - | 24.2% | 41.3% | TBC | 27% or more | 45% or more | 100% (Water Neutral) |
Biodiversity
| KPI | Base Year | Results | Target | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | ||
| Conduct biodiversity activities at all production sites worldwide by FYE 3/2024 [Meiji G, consolidated] |
- | 61.9%* | 77.1%* | 100% | 100% |
Thriving Communities
Human Resources
| KPI | Base Year | Results | Targets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2027 | ||
| Increase the ratio of female managers at least 10% by FYE 3/2027, compared with the FYE 3/2018 result of 2.6% | FYE 3/2018 (2.6%) | 4.7% | 5.6% | 6.5% | - | 10% or more |
| Increase the number of female managers (including assistant managers) to at least 420 by FYE 3/2027 (approximately triple the number as in FYE 3/2018) | FYE 3/2018 | 237 | 256 | 281 | - | 420 or more |
| Raise the ratio of employees with disabilities above Japan's legal requirement of 2.3% | - | 2.57% | 2.53% | TBC | 2.3% or more | - |
| Renew certification for outstanding health and productivity management from the Japanese government | - | Renewed | Renewed1 | Renewed1 | Renew Certification | - |
Human Rights
| KPI | Results | Targets | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | |
| All domestic Meiji Group employees to attend a human rights training (including e-learning) at least once annually [Meiji G, Japan consolidated] |
Implemented one time (Enrolled participants: Approx. 13,000 Participation rate: 90%) | Implemented one time (Enrolled participants: Approx. 13,000 Participation rate: 92%) | Implemented one time (Enrolled participants: Approx. 13,000 Participation rate: 93%) | At least once annually |
| All overseas Meiji Group employees to attend a human rights training (including e-learning) at least once by FYE 3/2024 [Meiji G consolidated excluding Japan] |
Enrolled participants: Approx. 770 Participation rate: 99% | Enrolled participants: Approx. 2,200 Participation rate: 84% | Enrolled participants: Approx. 1,200 Participation rate: 99% | At least once by FYE 3/2024 |
Society
| KPI | Results | Targets | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | |
| Hold an ESG session for investors, and advisory board meetings at least three times annually [Meiji HD] |
ESG Session for Investors: One time ESG Advisory Board: Two times |
ESG Session for Investors: One time ESG Advisory Board: Two times |
ESG Session for Investors: One time ESG Advisory Board: Two times |
Three times annually |
| All Meiji Group employees in Japan to participate in social contribution activities at least twice annually (at least once each 6-month period) [Meiji G, Japan consolidated] |
Participation rate at least once each 6-month period First half year term: 90%/Second half year term: 92% |
Participation rate at least once each 6-month period First half year term: 92%/Second half year term: 92% |
Participation rate at least once each 6-month period First half year term: 93%/Second half year term: TBC |
Twice annually (at least each 6-month period) |
Shared Themes
Sustainable Sourcing
| KPI | Results | Targets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2027 | |
| Start conducting a sustainable sourcing survey of suppliers for Group companies in Japan by FYE 3/2022 [Meiji G, Japan consolidated (domestic)] |
Suspended | Launched for 2 suppliers | Launched for 31 suppliers | Start by FYE 3/2022 | ー |
| Start conducting a sustainable sourcing survey of suppliers for major overseas Meiji Group companies by FYE 3/2023 [Meiji G consolidated excluding Japan] |
Launched for 46 suppliers | Launched for 17 suppliers | Launched for 7 suppliers | Start by FYE 3/2023 | ー |
| Hold Meiji Dairy Advisory program (MDA) to support management of dairy farms 250 times a year, and a total of at least 1650 times by FYE 3/2024 [Meiji, Japan consolidated] | 475 times annually, accumulated total 1,423 times | 477 times annually, accumulated total 1,900 times | 522 times annually, accumulated total 2,422 times | At least 400 times annually, accumulated total 2,150 times or more | ー |
| Increase sourcing rate of Meiji sustainable cocoa to 100% of total by FYE 3/2027 [Meiji consolidated] | 42% | 62% | 62% | 65% or more | 100% |
| Swich 100% to RSPO1-certified palm oil1 by FYE 3/2024 [Meiji consolidated] | 84% | 90% | 100% | 100% | ー |
| Swich 100% to eco-friendly paper by FYE 3/20242 [Meiji G consolidated] | 98% | 98% | TBC | ー | |