Sustainability

Stakeholder Engagement

Approach

The NGK Group seeks to strengthen mutual understanding with all stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, shareholders and investors, local communities, government agencies and international organizations, universities and research institutions, and employees. We engage in ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and incorporate their feedback into our business activities and initiatives, helping us drive continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Map
This graphic shows the relationship between the NGK Group and its stakeholders. Customers, suppliers, financial institutions, shareholders, investors, media/press, regional communities, NPOs and NGOs, governments and international organizations, economic and business groups, universities and research institutes, and employees all surround the NGK Group.

The NGK Group Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Code of Conduct set out our approach to communication with stakeholders. Under “Disclosure of Company Information and Accountability” we define the following principles.

Disclosure of Company Information and Accountability

This is a pictogram presenting the disclosure of company information and accountability in the NGK Group Code of Conduct.

We will promote a healthy and transparent management by active disclosure of information and discussions with stakeholders.

  • We will accurately and promptly disclose information required by society.
  • We will pay close attention to the views of our stakeholders and fulfill our obligation to be accountable. We will build mutual trust with our stakeholders through continuous dialogue.

Initiatives

Stakeholder Engagement

The NGK Group discloses information that society needs in an accurate and timely manner, and we fulfill our accountability by listening to and responding to the views of our stakeholders. We build relationships of trust through ongoing dialogue and use the feedback we receive to improve our business activities and initiatives.

Stakeholders Approach Objectives Methods
Customers To build and maintain customer trust, the NGK Group provides products and services that contribute to environmental conservation and a safe and secure society. We also work to create new value.
  • Enhancement of customer satisfaction
  • Quality improvement
  • Official website
  • Contact desk
  • Participation in exhibitions
  • Open innovation
Suppliers Based on the principles of “Social Cooperation,” “Open-Door Policy,” and “Mutual Prosperity,” we conduct fair procurement with due consideration for environmental conservation, respect for human rights, and working conditions, in addition to compliance with laws and regulations. We also operate a Supplier Helpline, which accepts reports concerning legal or regulatory violations by the NGK Group and helps maintain fair business relationships.
  • Realize fair, free, and transparent transactions
  • Exchange information with suppliers
  • Establish better supply chain
  • Financial results presentations
  • Supplier helpline
  • Individual visits to suppliers in and outside Japan
Shareholders and Investors We disclose management, financial, and business information in a timely and appropriate manner. Through dialogue with stakeholders, we strive to meet their expectations and enhance corporate value.
  • Enhancement of corporate value
  • General Meeting of Shareholders
  • Financial results briefings
  • Individual visits and interviews
  • Participation in IR events
  • Responding to ESG investment
  • Official website
Employees

We will create the following kind of work environment as the stage upon which our personnel can demonstrate the abilities they possess.

  • Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
  • Enriched and Lively Workplace
  • Open Workplace that encourages challenges

We also support the growth of human resources and fair treatment enabling each employee to maximize their skills.
  • Respect for the human rights of employees
  • Development of safe and comfortable workplace environments
  • Conducting of surveys on workplace environment and employee satisfaction
  • Penetration of corporate philosophy and policies
  • MiZUHO in-house newsletter (web edition)
  • Labor-Management Advisory Board meetings, regular Labor-Management Council meetings
  • Survey on workplace vitality
  • Corporate Risk Survey (CRS)
  • Helpline
  • Hotline
Local Communities We proactively engage in social contribution activities in response to community needs with the intent of becoming a corporate citizen trusted by society with concern for social issues in all countries and regions where we do business.
  • Contribution to local communities as a trusted corporate citizen
  • Collaborative activities with NPOs, etc.
  • Volunteer activities by employees
  • Social contribution activities in cooperation with labor unions
  • Invitation to plant tours and events
Governments and International Organizations To help address social issues, we promote collaboration through participation in international initiatives and other activities.
  • Promotion of initiatives to resolve social issues
  • Participation in international initiatives
Universities and Research Institutes Through research and educational activities based on industry-academia collaboration, we have been pushing forward with the development of scientific technologies and other technologies that will contribute to resolving social issues.
  • Development of scientific technologies
  • Development of technologies that will contribute to solving social issues
  • Joint research
  • ※Any report on potential concerns pertaining any of our business activities will be handled confidentially and will not lead to any negative consequences for anyone who wishes to make such a report

Dialogue with Shareholders and Investors

The NGK Group places a high priority on two-way communication with shareholders and investors. We strive to maximize corporate value by providing accurate and timely information on our business performance and management policies. We respond to questions raised at the General Meeting of Shareholders and inquiries submitted through our website through collaboration between the Finance Department, the General Affairs Department, and relevant divisions under the direction of the responsible directors. Through these efforts, we seek to strengthen constructive dialogue with shareholders.
We also value direct engagement with institutional investors. We regularly hold meetings, including financial results briefings for investors and overseas IR activities, with participation from senior management. We report the content of these dialogues to the Board of Directors on a regular basis and use the feedback to enhance management efficiency and transparency.