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About Meiji

At a Glance

At a Glance

Get to know Meiji at a glance – from our core business to our most important numbers.

Food

Our Nutrition Initiatives

Our Nutrition Initiatives

Our goal is to improve the lives of people of all ages around the world through nutrition, from infants to older adults, and we are dedicated to achieving this goal.

Pharmaceuticals

R&D

Medical needs are always diversifying – here's how Meiji is responding.

Collaboration

The Meiji Group collaborates with UN agencies and other relevant organizations.

Global Initiatives

United Nations Global Compact

Meiji Holdings became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact in April 2019. The Global Compact provides an international framework for member companies and organizations to help build a sustainable world by exercising responsible leadership and developing innovative solutions. The Meiji Group is carrying out a wide range of initiatives aligned with the compact's Ten Principles in its four areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption.

UN Global Compact

UN Global Compact

The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact

Human Rights Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

The Consumer Goods Forum

Since 2009, Meiji Group has been a member of The Consumer Goods Forum, an international association of major retailers, consumer product manufacturers, and food producers. In the forum's Japan Sustainability Local Group, the company actively participates in working groups involved in promoting human rights and sustainable palm oil production, as well as reducing food loss.

The Consumer Goods Forum

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

Since 2016, the Meiji Group has been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, a not-for-profit that develops and implements global standards for sustainable palm oil aimed at minimizing environmental impacts and bringing economic benefits to communities in palm oil-producing regions.

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

World Cocoa Foundation

Since 2006, Meiji has been a member of the World Cocoa Foundation. The NGO's vision is "a thriving and sustainable cocoa sector, where farmers prosper, communities are empowered, and the planet is healthy." The company also joined the foundation's Cocoa & Forest Initiative, launched in 2017, which is working to stop deforestation and restore forest areas in cocoa growing regions.

World Cocoa Foundation

Cocoa & Forest Initiative

World Cocoa Foundation

International Cocoa Initiative

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) is a non-profit organization established by chocolate manufacturers in 2002 with the aim of eradicating child labor and forced labor in cocoa cultivation in West Africa. In 2021, Meiji Co., Ltd. became the first Japanese company to join the ICI and contribute to the eradication of child labor and forced labor on cocoa farms.

International Cocoa Initiative

International Cocoa Initiative

Global Dairy Platform

Global Dairy Platform (GDP) encourages the appropriate intake of dairy foods while demonstrating the dairy sector's role in sustainable agriculture. Meiji Co., Ltd. has been a member of the GDP since 2013, and has promoted sustainability and the health benefits of dairy products.

Global Dairy Platform

Global Daily Platform (GDP)

International Dairy Federation

Meiji is a member of the Japanese National Committee of the International Dairy Federation, a non-profit organization that works to ensure high-quality milk production and dairy product development while facilitating international cooperation among the world's most highly respected dairy sector scientists in numerous areas of expertise. The Group's participation began in 1956 when Japan joined the IDF. In recent years, Meiji has been actively engaged in discussions and planning related to dairy sector sustainability, nutrition and health, food safety and quality, dairy product standards, and other important topics for the sector.

International Dairy Federation Japanese National Committee

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Meiji Holdings has been a supporter of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) since 2019, and follows its recommendations on climate-related scenario analysis and information disclosure. The company has also joined the TCFD Consortium, which was established by the Japanese government to facilitate cooperation among domestic companies and financial institutions that support the TCFD.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Task Force on Climaterelated Financial Disclosures

RE100

In September 2021, the Meiji Group joined RE100, a global initiative aiming for companies to source 100% of the electricity used in their business operations from renewable energy. RE100 is a global initiative that brings together some of the world's most influential companies committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity. The initiative is led by the international non-profit Climate Group in partnership with CDP.

RE100

Science Based Targets Initiative

Meiji Holdings committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in February 2021, and acquired certification in September 2021. In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the SBTi calls on companies to set targets over the next 5 to 15 years to help achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to take action to limit the rise to 1.5° Celsius. The SBTi evaluates companies to ensure they have aligned their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of the Paris Agreement.

Science Based Targets

Science Based Targets Initiative

G7 Sustainable Supply Chains Initiative

Since 2021, the Meiji Group has been a member of the G7 Sustainable Supply Chains Initiative. G7 Sustainable Supply Chains Initiative expect leading food and agriculture companies from G7 countries to commit to take action that will improve the environmental, social and nutritional impact of their operations and supply chains.

G7 Sustainable Supply Chains Initiative

G7 launch pledge for business action

UN Food Systems Summit

The UN Food Systems Summit was held to discuss the sustainability of food systems as a worldwide issue in September 2021. Our CEO participated in CEO consultation which is a preparatory meeting soliciting recommendations on food systems from various CEOs.

UN Food Systems Summit

Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum

In April 2022, the Meiji Group joined TNFD Forum. The TNFD was officially launched with a mission to deliver a risk management and disclosure framework for organization to report nature-related negative outcomes and nature-positive outcomes. The TNFD Forum is a global multi-disciplinary consultative group of institutions to support the development of the TNFD framework.

Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)

Initiatives in Japan

Japan Climate Initiative

Since 2019, Meiji Holdings has been a member of the Japan Climate Initiative, a network of companies, local governments, NGOs and other organizations in Japan that are actively involved in combatting climate change. The initiative creates opportunities for its members to share information about relevant strategies and solutions with the goal of accelerating the transition to a decarbonized society.

Japan Climate Initiative

Japan Climate Initiative

Green Value Chain Platform

In 2019, Meiji Holdings joined a network of companies aiming to decarbonize their operations as part of the Japanese government's Green Value Chain Platform. The network promotes the decarbonization of the economy in tandem with corporate growth by facilitating dialogue among companies that are either formulating or have set goals in line with the Paris Agreement, and companies that can offer solutions for achieving such goals.

Green Value Chain Platform

Sustainability Consortium for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food

Japan Climate Leaders' Partnership

In July 2021, the Meiji Group joined the Japan Climate Leaders' Partnership (JCLP) as a supporting member. The JCLP is a corporate group that aims to create sustainable, decarbonized societies.

This unique Japanese corporate group was established in 2009 based on the recognition that industry must embrace a sound sense of urgency and engage in proactive action to achieve sustainable decarbonized societies.

Japan Climate Leaders' Partnership

JCLP
Water Project of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan

In 2021, the Meiji Group began participation in the Ministry of the Environment's Water Project. This Water Project is a public-private partnership project launched in 2014 based on the Basic Law on the Water Cycle to encourage initiatives aimed at maintaining or restoring healthy water cycles.

Water Project
Japan Hydrogen Association (JA2A)

In November 2021, the Meiji Group joined the Japan Hydrogen Association (JA2A), an organization promoting global collaboration in the area of hydrogen, as well as the formation of a hydrogen supply chain. The Japan Hydrogen Association (JA2A) is a cross-industry and open organization established domestically in Japan for the purpose of overseeing the entire hydrogen supply chain. Its goal is to rapidly establish a hydrogen society through realizing social implementation projects.

Strategic Initiative for a Healthy and Sustainable Food Environment

Since fiscal 2021, Meiji has participated in the Strategic Initiative for a Healthy and Sustainable Food Environment established by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This initiative considers nutritional and environmental issues, such as excessive salt intake, thinness among young women, and nutritional disparity due to economic disparity, as serious social issues, and develops a food environment in which everyone can be naturally healthy through cooperation and collaboration among industry, academia, and government. The initiative aims to extend the healthy life expectancy of people in Japan and around the world, and to create a vibrant and sustainable society.

Strategic Initiative for a Healthy and Sustainable Food Environment

JA2A
30% Club Japan

The Meiji Group is a member of the "30% Club Japan", a campaign to increase the proportion of women in key decision-making bodies of companies, including the board of directors. The 30% Club is founded in the United Kingdom in 2010. The 30% Club Japan promotes the campaign in Japan. Its goal is to raise the ratio of women on the board of directors of TOPIX100 to 30% by 2030.

30% Club
Japan Platform for Migrant Workers towards Responsible and Inclusive Society (JP-MIRAI)

JP-MIRAI is a platform to protect the rights of foreign workers and improve their working and living environment in Japan, and is operated by JP-MIRAI, a general incorporated association. Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. has been a member of JP-MIRAI since January 2021, and is working to create a safe working environment for foreign workers.

JP-MIRAI

JP-MIRAI Member

Participation in Trade associations

As of June 2023
Segment Trade association Role Name
Food Society of Japan Food Industry Executives Chair Kazuo Kawamura
Japan Food Industry Association Vice-Chair Kazuo Kawamura
Japan Advertisers Association Inc. President Kazuo Kawamura
Japan Dairy Association Director Katsunari Matsuda
Japan Dairy Industry Association Chair Katsunari Matsuda
Japanese Association of Fermented Milks and Fermented Milk Drinks Chair Katsunari Matsuda
Japan Ice Cream Association Vice-Chair Katsunari Matsuda
All Nippon Kashi Association (ANKA) Supreme adviser Kazuo Kawamura
Vice-Chair Katsunari Matsuda
Chocolate and Cocoa Association of Japan Chair Katsunari Matsuda
Pharmaceutical Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Associations of JAPAN Director Daikichiro Kobayashi
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) Director Daikichiro Kobayashi
Japan Association of Blood Preparations Director Toshiaki Nagasato
Technology Research Association for Next generation natural products chemistry Chair Toshiaki Nagasato