Governance Compliance
As a responsible corporate citizen, the Hakuhodo DY Group complies with laws and regulations and also recognizes the importance of earnest compliance with the expectations and demands of society.
Development of Code of Conduct to Define the Course of Action for the Hakuhodo DY Group
the Course of Action
In order to demonstrate our creativity and remain trusted partners of sei-katsu-sha, corporations, and media outlets, each of us working for the Group will conduct ourselves in a fair manner according to the highest ethical standards, strongly committed to compliance and conscious of our clear duty to abide by the following principles:
1. We will provide high-quality services.
We will provide integrated marketing solutions of the highest quality while properly managing the confidential information and rights of our business partners.
Proper management of confidential information
- Constantly aware that our work entails handling sensitive information of our business partners. we will manage information appropriately and put in place stringent measures for managing confidential information.
Proper management of all forms of rights
- In order to respect copyright, industrial property rights, and other forms of intellectual property rights, and to ensure our ability to make the right decision[s], we will acquire an accurate knowledge of intellectual property rights through training and other means.
- We will produce highly original work, conscious that infringing others' intellectual property rights is strictly prohibited.
Pursuing quality in the provision of services
- Placing emphasis on communication abilities, such as explanatory skills and persuasiveness. we will seek to raise our own abilities to alevel that enables us to strike a chord with others.
- We will at all times remain highly attuned to the importance of expression, being aware that our job involves making skillful use of language and design.
- When engaging in communication work we will fully consider the nature of the human rights issues involved, rather than merely passively checking for unacceptable language and the like.
2. We will constantly seek to maintain trust in us.
We will abide by all laws and regulations, and sincerely do our best to live up to society's expectations and requests toward us as members of society.
Complying with the rules of society and acting in good faith
- When confronted by a choice between profit and ethics, we will unhesitatingly opt for the latter. no matter how harsh the business climate is.
- We will respect human rights and will not discriminate unjustly.
- We will, as a good corporate citizen, nurture good relationships with sei-katsu-sha, society, and the local community, and be aware of our corporate social responsibility in all we do.
Shunning involvement in anti-social activities
- We will have no relationships with criminal gangs or other anti-social forces. We will always keep our distance from such parties.
- We will not cave in to demands from anti-social forces but deal firmly with them. Jf any member of the Group faces such demands, we will not leave them isolated.
- If a demand is unjustified, we will not yield to it no matter who makes it, but rather will take legally appropriate action.
- We will not provide gifts, meals or entertainment to public officials or anyone else who is prohibited by law from receiving gifts of money or goods.
Condt1cting ourselves in a manner appropriate to a global society
- We will comply with international rules and local laws and respect the cultures and customs of the communities in which we work, constantly aware that we are members of a global society.
Consideration for the environment
- We will consider environmental ethics in all we do, aware of the environmental problems that exist on a global scale.
3. We will give full play to our own abilities and respect those of others.
Recognizing that people are our greatest asset, we will always be bold In facing new challenges, and never forget our responsibilities and pride.
Conducting ourselves based on our principles
- We will earnestly tackle the duties assigned to us, and take responsibility and pride in doing so.
- Undaunted by difficulty, we will always be bold in facing new challenges.
- We will take the initiative in enhancing our abilities and improving ourselves as human beings.
- Regardless of our job function, we will always keep in mind who our client is and what our work is for and act accordingly.
- We will in no way discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, sex. religion, disability, or other differences.
- Understanding the diversity of the parties we work with within and outside the Group, including our business partners, we will always act with respect toward them.
- We will never commit sexual harassment, power harassment or any other form of harassment.
- We will seek to put together the best team for each job, regardless of differences in age, position or other hierarchical relationship.
- Each of us will strive to create a company of which we can say, when we leave it at retirement or for any other reason, "I did a great job there."
4. We will be transparent and fair in all we do.
We will release all necessary information proactively and in a timely manner. and conduct ourselves in a fair manner. complying with all laws and regulations.
Maintaining a high level of transparency
- Open corporate communications are the cornerstone of our business. We will proactively release information except if it constitutes a company secret of a business partner or sensitive internal information.
- If we ever become the object of public condemnation, we will, as promptly as possible, make clear our own position as a company on the issue both internally and externally, and do so in good faith.
Maintaining our commitment to fairness
- We will not pursue our own interests or those of another to the detriment of the Group.
- We will not make payments or expenditures that we are unable to account for both internally and externally.
- We will not provide business partners with gifts, meals or entertainment beyond what is socially acceptable. Instead. we will strive to be highly recognized for the quality of our work.
- If as a company we disagree with an opinion or demand, even if it is expressed by someone representing a business partner, we will not obsequiously accept it but squarely voice our objections.
Compliance Implementation System
Chief Compliance Officers
Hakuhodo DY Group companies appoint chief compliance officers to serve as the highest-ranking officers responsible for enhancing compliance awareness.
Group Compliance Committee
The Group Compliance Committee, whose members include the presidents of Hakuhodo DY Group advertising and integrated media companies, is responsible for Groupwide compliance guidance and awareness. This committee is tasked with fostering a compliance-oriented mindset among Group officers and employees, making policies related to important compliance and corporate ethics matters, and establishing compliance systems. It also manages the progress of compliance activities at Group companies and provides advice, instructions, and guidance.
Information Security System
Please refer to the Information Security page for details.
Risk Management
The Company established the Crisis Management Regulations to prevent losses of social trust or significant damage to corporate value as a result of inappropriate responses to major risk events. Based on these regulations, we have clarified the risk response system and the risk events it addresses, strengthening our ability to respond quickly and appropriately when risk events occur.
Employee Awareness Raising
In order to prevent misconduct and maintain high moral standards, we constantly communicate the importance of compliance to Group employees, raising awareness and understanding of compliance through online resources and the distribution of guidebooks.
Corporate Whistleblowing and Consultation Desk
The Hakuhodo DY Group has established the Corporate Whistleblowing and Consultation Desk as a framework for the appropriate processing of reports and consultations from officers and employees regarding potential legal violations by organizations or individuals with the goal of quickly identifying and remedying misconduct.
Compliance Training on the Code of Conduct and Matters for Compliance
Training sessions on the Code of Conduct and Matters for Compliance have been provided in all companies operating under the Hakuhodo DY Group to ensure compliance. In addition, each operating company organizes training on specific issues including information security, advertising-related legal affairs, accounting transactions and the Anti-Monopoly Act, depending on its own characteristics, to ensure multifaceted communication and dissemination of compliance efforts.
the Group Code of Conduct and Matters for
Compliance