Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

Overall approach

2/10
- Overarching commitment on deforestation
  
  0/4
- Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
  
  1/1
  
  Signatory
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "We are pleased to announce that the Yakult Group has signed the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), an international framework for achieving sustainable growth, advocated by the United Nations."
  
  Open source document
- Awareness of the value of forests
  
  1/1
  
  Awareness
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "Conserving biodiversity through afforestation [...] As part of our CSR campaign, we participated in the Ministry of the Environment’s Green Wave 2020 biodiversity promotion activity, planting 25 trees at 12 locations throughout Japan on May 22nd, International Day for Biological Diversity"
  
  Open source document
- Deforestation as a business risk
  
  0/1
- High-level management of deforestion
  
  0/1
- Executive compensation linked to deforestation
- Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
  
  0/1
- Reporting on emissions from land-use change
  
  0/1
- Disclosure of conservation activity
- Disclosure of reforestation activity
  
  Reforestation disclosure
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  How many hectares of reforestation or restoration are being or have been conducted or facilitated by the company?: 13.56 ha
  
  "Yakult forest “Million Tree Planting Activities” (China Yakult Group) Since 2015, we have been participating in the “Million Tree Planting Activity” program of the private NGO “Shanghai Roots and Sprouts”. Donate 2,000 trees each year for 6 years until 2020. A total of 12,000 trees have been planted in the Yakult Public Forest (13.56 hectares), with an average conservation rate of 68.92% (NGO data), steadily contributing to greening."
  
  Open source document
- Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
  
  Reduce emissions
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  Type of climate target: Net-zero emissions
  
  What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2050
  
  Is this target aligned with/verified by SBTi?: No
  
  [Translation] "We have established "Environmental Vision 2050" as what we should be in 2050, and aim for "net zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3)" toward zero environmental impact management in the value chain."
  
  Open source document
Commodity score

9/90
- Palm oil
  
  8/90
  - Commitment Strength
    
    0/17
    - Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
      
      0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      0/7.5
      - Commitment details
        No traceability commitment
        
        0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
  - Associated Human Rights Abuses
    
    4/17
    - Labour rights in the supply chain
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Labour rights in the supply chain
      
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
      
      How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: their suppliers
      
      Other workers' rights commitments: Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces
      
      "We will uphold international human rights principles, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work [..] We will prohibit the use of child labor and forced labor, respect fundamental human rights, and promote procurement activities that take into consideration the work environment, safety and health. [...] We will respect basic human rights, and will not discriminate in employment, appointment, promotion or other ways based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, birthplace, language, disability, marital status, pregnancy or other protected characteristic.[...] We will comply with laws and regulations relating to the freedom of association and collective bargaining, and will respect employees’ rights to join a labor union, form a union and engage in collective bargaining. [...] We will comply with statutory limits on overtime work, holidays and other working hour matters, and will reduce long working hours through appropriate management of employees’ working hours and days off. "
      
      Open source document
    - Inclusion of small-scale farmers
      No
      
      0/2
    - Gender equality in the supply chain
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      1/2
      
      Gender equality in the supply chain
      
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      0.5/2
      
      "We will respect basic human rights, and will not discriminate in employment, appointment, promotion or other ways based on [...] sex, gender identity [...] We ask all of our business partners to comply with the requests listed above."
      
      Open source document
    - Commitment to remediation
      No
      
      0/1
    - Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      No
      
      0/3
    - Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
      No
      
      0/3
    - Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
      No
      
      0/3
  - Implementation and Reporting
    
    5/56
    - Reporting is independently verified
      No
      
      0/2
    - Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      No
      
      0/3
    - Deforestation cut off date
      No
      
      0/2
    - Collaborative actions
      No
      
      0/2
    - Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
      No
      
      0/2
    - Risk assessments for forest risk
      No
      
      0/2
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Operations assessed to comply with law
      
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      "comply with national and local laws and regulations, respect international codes of conduct, and promote fair and equitable procurement activities [...] We inquire about the details of activities relating to the requests contained in these guidelines using questionnaires, audits and other means, and take appropriate action when points requiring improvement are found."
      
      Open source document
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      No
      
      0/4
    - Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
      No reporting
      
      0/3
    - Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
      Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
      
      3/5
      
      Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
      
      Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
      
      2.5/5
      
      What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA
      
      What steps has the company taken to implement their labour rights commitment?: audits and questionnaires
      
      What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA
      
      "Toward promoting sustainable procurement, we have compiled our requests to all of our business partners, including when beginning to work with a new partner, in the Supplier CSR Guidelines. We inquire about the details of activities relating to the requests contained in these guidelines using questionnaires, audits and other means, and take appropriate action when points requiring improvement are found."
      
      Open source document
    - Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
      No
      
      0/5
    - Downstream: Reporting suppliers
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      No engagement or exclusion
      
      0/2
    - Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
      No disclosure
      
      0/2
- Pulp & Paper
  
  10/90
  - Commitment Strength
    
    2/17
    - Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
      
      0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        No
        
        0/2
        
        What percentage of commodity production/sourcing is excluded?: NA
        
        What subsidiaries are explicitly included?: target is for "main paper containers and packaging"
        
        What is the rationale for any exclusions?: target is for "main paper containers and packaging"
        
        What subsidiaries are explicitly excluded?: target is for "main paper containers and packaging"
        
        If no, what is excluded?: Product line
        
        "We use environmentally responsible FSC®- and PEFC-certified papers approved by forest certification programs in some of our paper containers for soft drinks. We believe that the use of paper with forest certification contributes to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and appropriate forest and wood management across the supply chain. To these ends, we will switch to using FSC®- and PEFC-certified papers for our main paper containers and packaging."
        
        Open source document
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      0/7.5
      - Commitment details
        No traceability commitment
        
        0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
  - Associated Human Rights Abuses
    
    4/17
    - Labour rights in the supply chain
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Labour rights in the supply chain
      
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: their suppliers
      
      Other workers' rights commitments: Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces
      
      Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
      
      "We will uphold international human rights principles, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work [..] We will prohibit the use of child labor and forced labor, respect fundamental human rights, and promote procurement activities that take into consideration the work environment, safety and health. [...] We will respect basic human rights, and will not discriminate in employment, appointment, promotion or other ways based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, birthplace, language, disability, marital status, pregnancy or other protected characteristic.[...] We will comply with laws and regulations relating to the freedom of association and collective bargaining, and will respect employees’ rights to join a labor union, form a union and engage in collective bargaining. [...] We will comply with statutory limits on overtime work, holidays and other working hour matters, and will reduce long working hours through appropriate management of employees’ working hours and days off. "
      
      Open source document
    - Inclusion of small-scale farmers
      No
      
      0/2
    - Gender equality in the supply chain
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      1/2
      
      Gender equality in the supply chain
      
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      0.5/2
      
      "We will respect basic human rights, and will not discriminate in employment, appointment, promotion or other ways based on [...] sex, gender identity [...] We ask all of our business partners to comply with the requests listed above."
      
      Open source document
    - Commitment to remediation
      No
      
      0/1
    - Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      No
      
      0/3
    - Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
      No
      
      0/3
    - Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
      No
      
      0/3
  - Implementation and Reporting
    
    5/56
    - Reporting is independently verified
      No
      
      0/2
    - Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      No
      
      0/3
    - Deforestation cut off date
      No
      
      0/2
    - Collaborative actions
      No
      
      0/2
    - Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
      No
      
      0/2
    - Risk assessments for forest risk
      No
      
      0/2
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Operations assessed to comply with law
      
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      "comply with national and local laws and regulations, respect international codes of conduct, and promote fair and equitable procurement activities [...] We inquire about the details of activities relating to the requests contained in these guidelines using questionnaires, audits and other means, and take appropriate action when points requiring improvement are found."
      
      Open source document
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      No
      
      0/4
    - Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
      No reporting
      
      0/3
    - Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
      Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
      
      3/5
      
      Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
      
      Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
      
      2.5/5
      
      What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA
      
      What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA
      
      What steps has the company taken to implement their labour rights commitment?: audits and questionnaires
      
      "Toward promoting sustainable procurement, we have compiled our requests to all of our business partners, including when beginning to work with a new partner, in the Supplier CSR Guidelines. We inquire about the details of activities relating to the requests contained in these guidelines using questionnaires, audits and other means, and take appropriate action when points requiring improvement are found."
      
      Open source document
    - Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
      No
      
      0/5
    - Downstream: Reporting suppliers
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      No engagement or exclusion
      
      0/2
    - Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
      No disclosure
      
      0/2
- Soy
  
  8/90
  - Commitment Strength
    
    0/17
    - Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
      
      0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      0/7.5
      - Commitment details
        No traceability commitment
        
        0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
  - Associated Human Rights Abuses
    
    4/17
    - Labour rights in the supply chain
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Labour rights in the supply chain
      
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
      
      Other workers' rights commitments: Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces
      
      How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Their suppliers
      
      "We will uphold international human rights principles, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work [..] We will prohibit the use of child labor and forced labor, respect fundamental human rights, and promote procurement activities that take into consideration the work environment, safety and health. [...] We will respect basic human rights, and will not discriminate in employment, appointment, promotion or other ways based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, birthplace, language, disability, marital status, pregnancy or other protected characteristic.[...] We will comply with laws and regulations relating to the freedom of association and collective bargaining, and will respect employees’ rights to join a labor union, form a union and engage in collective bargaining. [...] We will comply with statutory limits on overtime work, holidays and other working hour matters, and will reduce long working hours through appropriate management of employees’ working hours and days off. "
      
      Open source document
    - Inclusion of small-scale farmers
      No
      
      0/2
    - Gender equality in the supply chain
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      1/2
      
      Gender equality in the supply chain
      
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      0.5/2
      
      "We will respect basic human rights, and will not discriminate in employment, appointment, promotion or other ways based on [...] sex, gender identity [...] We ask all of our business partners to comply with the requests listed above."
      
      Open source document
    - Commitment to remediation
      No
      
      0/1
    - Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      No
      
      0/3
    - Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
      No
      
      0/3
    - Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
      No
      
      0/3
  - Implementation and Reporting
    
    5/56
    - Reporting is independently verified
      No
      
      0/2
    - Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      No
      
      0/3
    - Deforestation cut off date
      No
      
      0/2
    - Collaborative actions
      No
      
      0/2
    - Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
      No
      
      0/2
    - Risk assessments for forest risk
      No
      
      0/2
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Operations assessed to comply with law
      
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      "comply with national and local laws and regulations, respect international codes of conduct, and promote fair and equitable procurement activities [...] We inquire about the details of activities relating to the requests contained in these guidelines using questionnaires, audits and other means, and take appropriate action when points requiring improvement are found."
      
      Open source document
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      No
      
      0/4
    - Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
      No reporting
      
      0/3
    - Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
      Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
      
      3/5
      
      Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
      
      Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
      
      2.5/5
      
      What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA
      
      What steps has the company taken to implement their labour rights commitment?: audits and questionnaires
      
      What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA
      
      "Toward promoting sustainable procurement, we have compiled our requests to all of our business partners, including when beginning to work with a new partner, in the Supplier CSR Guidelines. We inquire about the details of activities relating to the requests contained in these guidelines using questionnaires, audits and other means, and take appropriate action when points requiring improvement are found."
      
      Open source document
    - Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
      No
      
      0/5
    - Downstream: Reporting suppliers
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      No engagement or exclusion
      
      0/2
    - Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
      No disclosure
      
      0/2
Commitment strength

1/17

Avg. score
Implementation and Reporting

5/56

Avg. score
Associated Human Rights Abuses

4/17

Avg. score

Profile

Yakult Honsha Co Ltd (Yakult) is the Japanese manufacturer of the well-known fermented probiotic milk drink Yakult. In addition to its namesake, Yakult also produces a variety of other food and beverage products, as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetic goods. The company is a leading name in the packaged food industry with product lines spanning from health food to noodles. Through its various product lines Yakult is exposed to palm oil and soy. Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd. is selected as a powerbroker for palm oil, soy and paper packaging.

Sector

Industry sector

Packaged Foods & Meats, Paper Packaging

Segments

Manufacturer

Japan

Company Type

Company type

Collective Commitments

Consumer Goods Forum member

New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

Yakult

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.

yakult_logo_copy_1.jpg

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

Total

Score:

Total score:

10%

Profile

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yakult_logo_copy_1.jpg

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

Total

Score:

Total score: 10%

Profile

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Total score:

10%