Respect for Human Rights

Fundamental Approach

The JR Kyushu Group has established the JR Kyushu Group Basic Policy on Human Rights as a guideline for promoting efforts to respect human rights and fulling responsibilities tied to those efforts. This policy is positioned at the highest level of policy regarding human rights and is the basis for all business activities in the group. We will contribute to the creation of a sustainable society by working to respect human rights in accordance with this policy

The JR Kyushu Group Basic Policy on Human Rights

The JR Kyushu group recognizes that human rights may be impacted as a part of the process of conducting business. To express our intent to honor the human rights of all people involved in business operations, we have established the JR Kyushu Group Basic Policy on Human Rights (hereinafter, “this policy”).

1. Fundamental Approach
   In addition to domestic law regarding human rights, the JR Kyushu Group supports and respects international norms on human rights, including the International Bill of Human Rights*2 and the International Labor Organization’s ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work*3, based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights *１.


2. Scope
   This policy applies to all officers and employees*４ of the JR Kyushu Group. We also expect the understanding and support of this policy from our business partners and work together to promote respect for human rights.


3. Respect for Human Rights
   We respect human rights, honoring the diversity of people’s values, individuality and privacy without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, social status, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, etc.
   


4. Advancement of Efforts that Respect Human Rights
   
   • Human rights due diligence
     In order to fulfill our responsibility to respect human rights, we employ human rights due diligence to identify negative impact on human rights, and prevent or mitigate such issues.
   
   
   • Correction and Remedy
     In the event that actions have a direct or indirect negative impact on human rights, we take the appropriate steps to handle correction and provide remedy.
   
   
   • Communication and Discussion with Stakeholders
     The JR Kyushu Group works to improve respect for human rights by engaging in sincere communication and discussion with our stakeholders.
   
   
   • Education and Training
     The JR Kyushu Group provides education and training to ensure proper information and awareness of human rights issues take deep root in our officers and employees, in order to ensure the understanding of this policy and ensure respect for every individual’s human rights.
   
   
   • Disclosure of Information
     The JR Kyushu Group appropriately discloses information regarding the status of efforts to respect human rights based on this policy via our website and other means.
   
   

This policy was approved by the Human Rights Awareness Promotion Committee held on January 24, 2022, and reported at the Board of Directors meeting held on March 1, 2022.



1. ※1　 The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is a document unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2011.This document is an international standard that details the obligation of the state to protect against human rights violations by third parties including companies, the responsibility of companies to ensure respect for human rights internally as well as for their business partners, and the requirement of effective access to means of relief due to human rights violations.
2. ※2　The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the first universal standard to declare the rights that all human beings are entitled to and is a common standard that all people and nations should strive to achieve.
3. ※3　The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work includes four fundamental rights set as the minimum that must be observed: “freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining”, “elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor”, “effective abolition of child labor”, and “elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation”.
4. ※4　“All officers and employees of the JR Kyushu Group” refers to directors, auditors and executive officers of the JR Kyushu Group, persons engaged in duties based on employment contracts with JR Kyushu Group companies and other employees that have been dispatched or temporarily transferred from other companies.








The JR Kyushu Group Human Rights Promotion System

In order to promote the efforts of the "JR Kyushu Group Human Rights Basic Policy," the JR Kyushu Group has established the "JR Kyushu Group Human Rights and Business Ethics Promotion Committee.




Human Rights Due Diligence Efforts

The JR Kyushu Group promotes efforts in human rights due diligence based on the JR Kyushu Group Basic Policy on Human Rights.


1. Identification of Human Rights Risks
   　The JR Kyushu group conducts surveys of employees, group companies, and business partners. Besides, we receive advice from outside directors and experts. Taking the above into account, we evaluate the negative impact on human rights involving the Group based on “severity” and “likelihood of occurrence,” and identify human rights risks that should be addressed as a priority.
   
   
   • Harassment incidents （Workplace bullying , sexual harassment, harassment related to pregnancy and childcare, excessive complaints from customers, etc）
     
   • Excessive work hours
     
   • Invasion of privacy
     
   • Inequality between men and women
     
   • Discrimination due to lack of understanding or consideration (DOWA problem, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, foreign people)
     
   • Occurrence of an event that threatens the safety of customers or employees
     
   • Distrust of consultation services
     
   • Human Rights Violations in the supply chain
     
   
   
2. Prevention and Mitigation Initiatives
The following efforts are being made in order to prevent and mitigate human rights risks.

• Spread the "JR Kyushu Group Human Rights Basic Policy" (disseminate to business partners)
  
• Conducting study sessions for employees
  【Number of participants in FY2024】
  　JR Kyushu : 7,790 / JR Kyushu Group Companies : 13,990
  
• Information dissemination by human rights promotion handbooks, internal information, etc.
  The JR Kyushu Group Human Rights and Corporate Ethics Handbook has been prepared and distributed to all employees of the group. The handbook is used for study sessions.
  　



• Efforts reflecting the opinions of customers, employees, etc.
  The JR Kyushu Group reflects feedbacks from customers and employees in company initiatives.


3. Surveys on the Results of Efforts
• Implementation of surveys
　・Conducting surveys to determine the level of proficiency after e-learning or training
　・Conducting questionnaires of the JR Kyushu Group Companies regarding the occurrence of human rights violation 　　events and the implementation status of measures to prevent and mitigate human right risks.
　・Conducting questionnaires of some suppliers regarding their understanding and support for the JR Kyushu Group’s 　　human rights promotion efforts.

• Implementation of interviews
　 ・Conducting interviews and on-site surveys with foreign workers.


4. Disclosure of Information
　・Regular disclosure of information regarding efforts to respect human rights via our website, integrated report, etc.


Whistleblowing that Protects Human Rights

The JR Kyushu Group has established contact points to receive reports on human rights issues. Anonymous reports are accepted, and the identity of the informant and the content of the report are kept strictly confidential. If the report is found to be true by thorough fact-finding investigation, it will be strictly dealt with. The contact points for reporting are as follows.

【For the JR Kyushu Group employees and suppliers 】The JR Kyushu Group corporate ethics hotline
【For customers and local communities】Customer consultation center


Other Human Rights Efforts

1. Activities as a secretariat company of the Fukuoka City Corporate Social Inclusion Promotion Council
   As a secretariat company of the Fukuoka City Corporate Social Inclusion Promotion Council established primarily by companies in Fukuoka, we work with member companies to solve human rights and Burakumin discrimination issues within the local community. Efforts include management of training programs and awareness activities.


2. Participation in Workshops Relating to Frameworks on Labor Standards
   In order to create a better environment for promoting and establishing employment of people with disabilities, we participate in the Business Network for Promoting the Employment of People with Disabilities (SKC Network), which is a workshop that enables the sharing of information and experiences between companies.


3. Respect for the right of collective bargaining for employees
   In FY2024, collective bargaining was held 114 times.


4. Minimum Wage Guarantee
   JR Kyushu Group ensures compliance with minimum wage requirements. In addition to compliance with the legally-mandated minimum wage, which is revised on an annual basis, our labor management goes beyond the standards required by law through means such as the payment of higher wages to our employees.


5. Initiatives to protect children’s rights
   The JR Kyushu Group values children’s rights to live, participate, be protected and be educated. In addition, we provide support for children’s rights through our business activities.

Safety workshops

We engage in educational activities to prevent accidents at railway crossings through measures such as holding railway crossing safety workshops at kindergartens and elementary schools. JR Kyushu has also designated February 3rd each year as “Railway Crossing Day” and engages in activities to raise awareness of railway crossing safety. As part of “Railway Crossing Day” events such as a railway crossing safety workshop are held at the small covered space in Hakata station square.



VIVISTOP HAKATA

VIVISTOP HAKATA, located on the 10th floor of JR Hakata City, is a facility that provides creative activities for kids and supports innovation. VIVISTOP is a creative learning environment with bases expanding across Japan and around the world. These efforts help children realize their ideas through cutting-edge creative tools, such as 3D printers and laser cutters.



Children's Work Visit Day Mirai Project (workplace experience)

Each year, JR Kyushu and its group companies participate in the Children's Work Visit Day Mirai Project, which is held at companies in Fukuoka Prefecture with the aim of providing children with the opportunity to gain experience of society by seeing their parents and guardians at work and fostering respect and gratitude for the work that they do.




6. Local employment
   The JR Kyushu Group is in serviced apartment and hotel business in Thailand, and employs local people at the liaison offices. We work together with the operating company responsible for each facility to employ and train local people in order to ensure the smooth business and develop staffs familiar with local cultures and business customs. In addition, we have established rules of employment for each facility and create working environment in compliance with Thai Law.



○Number of local employees at businesses in Thailand

※As at end-March 2025

Category	Number of employees
Bangkok Office	2
Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok	122
Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11	130
Total	254