Respecting Human Rights
Approach/Policy/Promotion System

Canon Group Human Rights Policy

Since Canon’s founding in 1937, all employees have been treated the same on a fair and equal basis, without any discrimination due to status, gender, age or occupation. This stance was based on a complete respect for humanity.

Following half a century of operations, we adopted our corporate philosophy of kyosei in 1988. kyosei is the aspiration to create a society in which all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, live and work together for the common good. It sets the goal of human happiness and prosperity above the profits earned by any single company or nation. kyosei expresses our commitment to and global aspiration for a respect for humanity and makes clear the company’s firm stance to working together with stakeholders around the world to achieve this.

This policy expresses Canon Group’s commitment to respect human rights and to take measures to protect human rights under the corporate philosophy stated above, which we embed into our operational policies and procedures.

1. Respect for Human Rights

   Canon commits to respect internationally recognized human rights across its business activities, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Specifically, Canon commits to respect fundamental human rights, prohibit discrimination, harassment or violence based on such factors as race, nationality, gender, religion and creed, promote diversity, prohibit child labor and forced labor (including human trafficking), prohibit unreasonable restriction on movement, respect freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country and region, pay employees wages equal to or greater than legally mandated wages, prevent excessive overtime work and grant appropriate holidays, ensure occupational health and safety, prevent occupational injuries, protect privacy, and promote responsible minerals sourcing.

2. Human Rights Due Diligence

   In accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Canon conducts human rights due diligence to identify adverse human rights impacts that are linked to its business activities, and to prevent or mitigate any adverse impacts. In consideration of the findings of human rights due diligence, Canon will review and update this policy, where necessary.

3. Grievance Mechanism

   Canon establishes and operates an effective internal and external reporting system to understand adverse human rights impacts that are linked to its business activities. When Canon identifies that it has caused or contributed to adverse human rights impacts, Canon will take appropriate steps to remedy the situation.

4. Awareness Training

   Canon conducts human rights awareness training on a continuous basis to enable its executives and employees to deepen their understanding of international initiatives relating to human rights and this policy, and to respond appropriately to human rights issues.

5. Dialogue with Stakeholders

   Canon communicates its human rights approach, as stated in this policy, to stakeholders through our website and other communication channels.
   In a series of initiatives under this policy, Canon learns from the human rights expertise of external experts and has dialogue with stakeholders such as employees and suppliers who are or could potentially be affected by our business activities in relation to human rights.

Canon seeks to contribute to our stakeholders’ understanding of the international circumstances surrounding human rights. By cooperating with surveys and audits conducted by Canon, as well as with our responses to the risks uncovered through our initiatives, we encourage our stakeholders to join Canon in addressing human rights issues.