Human Capital Management
Approach and Policy
NGK Group Human Capital Management Policy
NGK Group defines “People who embrace challenges and teamwork" as one of Our Values of NGK Group Philosophy, and we are committed to realize Our Mission: Enriching Human Life by Adding New Value to Society. NGK Group is committed to drive the Five Transformations to realize the NGK Group Vision, and we believe that the active engagement of each personnel is crucial for accomplishing the Five Transformations. We define the core of the Group’s human capital management as hiring and developing personnel to enrich team members dedicated to the Five Transformations, and establishing an environment where each personnel can perform at full potential. Building upon this core belief, we establish the “Human Resource Development Policy" and “Workplace Development Policy" as follows.
Human Resource Development Policy
NGK Group develops personnel with the following abilities and mindset required to realize the Five Transformations.
- Cultivate advanced knowledge, skills, abilities or their combination, and proactively approach to problems
- Demonstrate teamwork and persistently lead to results
- Autonomously grow and continuously change oneself and the company
To respond quickly to changes in the business environment and maximize the value we provide, the NGK Group believes it is essential to secure and develop human resources who possess advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities, demonstrate teamwork, think independently, and act quickly. To develop and secure such talent, we provide diverse career paths and educational programs that enable employees to pursue growth based on their aspirations, aptitudes, and job functions. We also foster systems and a workplace culture that encourage each employee to take the initiative in their own growth and contribute to the business in their respective environments.
Workplace Development Policy
NGK Group develops the following workplace environment where each personnel can perform at full potential.
- Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
A workplace where everyone is acknowledged and respected, regardless of external attributes such as race, nationality, gender, and age, as well as internal attributes such as religion, beliefs, experiences, and values.
- Enriched and Lively Workplace
A workplace where diverse personnel can feel rewarded, stay healthy both physically and mentally, have colleagues we respect and enjoy working with, and maintain a good work-life balance.
- Open Workplace that encourages challenges
A workplace with open communication and psychological safety, that embraces courageous challenges for growth.
Achieving the Five Transformations requires people who can generate new ideas and creativity that lead to innovation, as well as diverse perspectives and approaches from individuals with different backgrounds and experiences. The NGK Group is committed to employment stability and equal opportunity and recruits and promotes diverse human resources regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, age, religion, beliefs, or disability. We also focus on creating a workplace where employees can fully demonstrate their capabilities by promoting Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, including support for balancing work and family responsibilities through flexible work styles such as remote work, as well as initiatives to promote the employment of people with disabilities and raise awareness of diversity. In addition, to create a workplace where employees can work comfortably and find their work worthwhile, we conduct a survey on workplace vitality (employee engagement) every year. Based on employee feedback and requests, we identify issues and consider improvement measures.
Promotion Framework
The NGK Group promotes Human Capital Management across the Group based on the NGK Group Human Capital Management Policy, which serves as a common guideline for all Group companies. The HR Committee reviews a wide range of human resource initiatives based on this policy and reports important matters and annual results to the Board of Directors at least once a year.
As the NGK Group operates sites around the world, we believe it is important from an effectiveness perspective to develop and implement strategies and initiatives based on the Human Capital Management Policy according to the circumstances and challenges of each Group company and site. Going forward, through ongoing dialogue with the human resources departments at each site, we will continue to promote initiatives tailored to local characteristics while enhancing understanding and implementation of the Group’s common policies.
Strategy, Metrics and Targets
Strategy
The NGK Group regards human capital as a key driver essential to realizing its Vision and Long-Term Management Plan. To achieve a sustainable improvement of corporate value and realize what we want to be in 2035, we aim to incorporate a spirit of challenge and vitality into our corporate culture long grounded in earnestness and resilience. At the same time, we seek to strengthen existing businesses and create new value, provide an environment in which diverse human resources can actively contribute, and accelerate transformation. Based on this direction, we have established three Priority Strategies.
(Priority Strategies)
- Fostering the culture: Alignment with challenges and engagement
- Growth opportunities: Diverse human resources taking on challenges and demonstrating their capabilities
- Human resource development: Leading the enhancement of business and creation of new business
Metrics and Targets
We have established the following key KPIs for each Priority Strategy.
Fostering the culture: Alignment with challenges and engagement
Survey on Workplace Vitality (employee engagement) score*
| FY2025 Result | FY2030 onward Target | |
|---|---|---|
| Score for taking on challenges | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| Utilization of Diversity | 3.4 | 3.8 |
- *Scores are measured on a 5-point scale. A score closer to 5 indicates a higher level of employee satisfaction with each survey item
Growth opportunities: Diverse human resources taking on challenges and demonstrating their capabilities
Ratio of female managers
| FY2025 Result | FY2030 Target | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratio of female managers | 5% | 10% |
Initiatives
Initiatives Aligned with the Priority Strategies
For details on Fostering the culture, Human resource development, and Growth opportunities, please refer to the respective pages.
Activities to Promote Understanding of the Human Capital Management Policy
In FY2025, as part of our efforts to promote understanding of the NGK Group Human Capital Management Policy, we communicated policy-based messages to all employees through the President’s messages at the beginning of the fiscal year and the New Year. These messages emphasized the importance of re-skilling and career autonomy. We also shared the policy through position-based training programs for employees, including new hires and newly promoted employees.
In addition, members of the Human Resources Department visited Group companies in Europe, North America, and Asia. For Group companies in Japan, we held information exchange meetings with HR representatives. Through these activities, we exchanged views on the Human Capital Management Policy, promoted understanding of the policy, and gained insight into each company’s awareness and challenges. To assess how well the policy is understood globally, we conducted a pilot survey based on the policy at three Group companies in Europe. This enabled us to quantitatively track progress in developing environments aligned with the policy and establish a framework for data-driven discussions. We plan to expand this survey to all Group companies outside Japan within the next few years.
We will continue to strengthen internal communication through visits to Group companies in and outside Japan, dialogue with employees, and ongoing information sharing. Through these efforts, we will further promote understanding of the policy and enhance employee engagement.
External Recognition
KENKO Investment for Health
Since 2019, NGK has been continuously included in the large enterprise category of the Certified KENKO Investment for Health Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program jointly promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Council).
Certified as an Eruboshi Company for Excellence in Promoting Women’s Active Participation
In 2017, NGK was certified as an Eruboshi company by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). This certification is granted to companies that have done excellent jobs in accordance with the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace.
Each applicant for the certification is evaluated on five criteria: recruitment, employment continuity, working hours, percentage of female managers, and diverse career paths. In 2019, NGK satisfied all five criteria and received certification for level three, the highest certification level.
Acquired Platinum Kurumin Certification as a Company Supporting Childcare
In 2012, NGK was certified as a Childcare Support Company based on the Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-Generation Children. In 2023, we acquired Platinum Kurumin certification for being a superior Childcare Support Company that is carrying out initiatives at a high level.
Selected as Next Nadeshiko: Companies Supporting Dual-career and Co-parenting
NGK was selected as a Next Nadeshiko: Companies Supporting Dual-career and Co-parenting for three consecutive years from FY2023 through FY2025. This recognition is jointly awarded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange to companies with outstanding initiatives that support employees in balancing work and childcare, regardless of gender.
