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CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility)

Hitachi

Respect for Human Rights

"Cherish humanity" -a global approach to respecting human rights

Human Rights Policy

Basing our corporate activities on the concept of "cherishing humanity," we respect stakeholders' human rights throughout our business, including product safety, information disclosure, environmental conservation, and employment practices. We believe that new values are created by understanding and mutually recognizing the thinking and values of others. For the Hitachi Group, with our diverse businesses, our policy on human rights is a core management component that is directly tied to our Group synergy-given that we share new values that transcend our employees' race and gender, or the company or division they work in.
Based on this view, in February 2009 we joined the United Nations Global Compact,*1 declaring to the international community that we are committed to enhancing our corporate activities using the UN principles as guidelines. We will share these principles with the entire Hitachi Group, and they will be reflected in our daily work.

The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact

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Human Rights

Principle1 ：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 Standards

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.

*1
The United Nations Global Compact
The United Nations Global Compact is an international initiative first proposed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and formally launched at UN Headquarters in New York in July 2000. With the goal of constructing a sustainable society, the Global Compact calls for companies, along with UN agencies, NPOs, NGOs, and other civil society organizations, to follow 10 principles on human rights, labor standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. As of March 2009, approximately 6,700 organizations have joined.

Raising Awareness of Human Rights

Our human rights code of conduct is in our Corporate Ethics and Compliance Handbook, which is distributed to all employees. To improve awareness of the need to consider human rights, training is given at every level. In addition, in Europe we use cultural awareness training to deepen understanding of the cultures, customs, and values of other countries, and to help our employees adopt better methods of communication.
In fiscal 2008, a European working group was launched to consider human rights initiatives. Since Europe has a diverse history, many cultures and societies, we believe that the activities there will be instrumental in promoting human rights in the entire Group.

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Procurement training course held in Malaysia

Regarding procurement, in fiscal 2007 we conducted a survey focusing on CSR-including the handling of human rights-on approximately 100 of our largest suppliers, using the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) guidelines. In fiscal 2008, we analyzed the results, while in Asia, we held procurement training courses with a specific focus on human rights for Group companies.

Hitachi and the United Nations Global Compact

Hitachi, Ltd. became a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact in February 2009, and we are now reviewing regulations, training, and other measures within the company.
We are carrying out surveys and supporting education on procurement based on our revised Guidelines for Procurement and Business Transactions. To ensure that our internal code of ethics permeates the entire Group, we are both clearly describing human rights issues and developing and reviewing training programs.

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