GRI Standards Content Index

Organizational details

AR: Global Network P112-113
AR: Corporate Data P114

Entities included in the organization’s sustainability reporting

SR: Editorial policy P1
ASR: P8-11

Reporting period, frequency and contact point

SR: Editorial policy P1
SR: Back cover

Restatements of information

SR: Nutrition commitment quantitative KPIs P31
SR: Material balance P47
SR: GHG emissions per volume unit calculated from IEA CO₂ emissions factors / Scope 1 and 2 emissions and Scope 3 (excluding Category 11) intensity retroactively adjusted for companies that became outside of the Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Group's scope on or after fiscal 2019 in accordance with SBTi standards P54
SR: Per-unit energy use in logistics P58
SR: Ajinomoto Group total plastic usage volumes P65
SR: Use of containers and packaging and recycling implementation fee payments for household products for Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc., and Ajinomoto AGF, Inc. P67
SR: Major accidents and incidents P126

External assurance

CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Environmental Data
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Personnel and Labor-Related Data
The Ajinomoto Group has not obtained third-party assurance for the report as a whole, but obtained only for a portion of Environmental Data and Personnel and Labor-Related Data.

Activities, value chain and other business relationships

SR: Ajinomoto Group supply chain P104-105
AR: Review of Financial Results by Segment P106-107

Employees

CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Personnel and Labor-Related Data

Workers who are not employees

Data not collected.

Governance structure and composition

SR: Framework for ESG and sustainability P16-17
AR: Corporate governance P88-105

Nomination and selection of the highest governance body

AR: Corporate governance P90-93

Chair of the highest governance body

AR: Corporate governance P90

Role of the highest governance body in overseeing the management of impacts

SR: Framework for ESG and sustainability P16-17
AR: Corporate governance P100-101

Delegation of responsibility for managing impacts

SR: Framework for ESG and sustainability P16-17
AR: Corporate governance P100-101

Role of the highest governance body in sustainability reporting

AR: Corporate governance P100

Conflicts of interest

Ajinomoto Principle on Corporate Governance: P7
Corporate Governance Report 2023: P4
ASR: P58-59

Communication of critical concerns

SR: Remedies P103
SR: Bolstering our internal reporting hotline (whistle-blowing) P122
AR: Corporate governance P101

Collective knowledge of the highest governance body

SR: Framework for ESG and sustainability P16-17
AR: Corporate governance P88-101

Evaluation of the performance of the highest governance body

SR: Framework for ESG and sustainability P16-17
AR: Corporate governance P96-97

Remuneration policies

AR: Corporate governance P98-99

Process to determine remuneration

AR: Corporate governance P98-99

Annual total compensation ratio

SR: Annual compensation by job title, gender P116

Statement on sustainable development strategy

SR: CEO Message P2
SR: Message from the Director of Sustainability P3
AR: CEO Message P20-29

Policy commitments

SR: Ajinomoto Group Vision P4
SR: Human Rights P97
CS: Sustainability > Ajinomoto Group Policies (AGP)

Embedding policy commitments

SR: Framework for ESG and sustainability P16-17
SR: Environmental management P45-46
SR: Human Rights P98-103
SR: Compliance P121-123

Processes to remediate negative impacts

SR: Human Rights P99-103
SR: Bolstering our internal reporting hotline (whistle-blowing) P122

Mechanisms for seeking advice and raising concerns

SR: Human Rights P102-103
SR: Supplier hotlines P106
SR: Bolstering our internal reporting hotline (whistle-blowing) P122

Compliance with laws and regulations

SR: Response to environmental laws and accidents P46
SR: Response to safety and health laws and accidents P127

Membership associations

CS: IR > Non-Financial (ESG) > Participation in Initiatives

Approach to stakeholder engagement

SR: Stakeholder engagement P18

Collective bargaining agreements

SR: Labor-management relations P117

Process to determine material topics

SR: Identification process of important issues (Materiality) for the Ajinomoto Group P7

List of material topics

SR: Important issues (Materiality) for the Ajinomoto Group P9-15

Management of material topics

SR: Resolving Nutritional Issues P28-38
SR: Environmental management P45-46
SR: Disclosures Based on the TCFD Recommendations P49-54
SR: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P63-67
SR: Contribution to reducing food loss and waste P73-75
SR: Consideration of natural capital risks and opportunities P77-78
SR: Initiatives related to priority raw materials P79
SR: Conservation of water resources in production processes P83-86
SR: Responsible communications with consumers P91
SR: Quality management P92-96
SR: Human rights due diligence P99-103
SR: Supply chain management P106
SR: Animal welfare P107
SR: Human resources and organizational management P108-117
SR: Contribution to community development P118
SR: Risk management P120
SR: Compliance P121-124
SR: Occupational safety and health P125-127
SR: Information security and personal information management P128
SR: Proper use and management of intellectual property P130

Direct economic value generated and distributed

AR: Ten-Year Summary of Financial Data P109
Distributed economic value not collected.

Financial implications and other risks and opportunities due to climate change

SR: Disclosures Based on the TCFD Recommendations P49-52
ASR: P21-25

Defined benefit plan obligations and other retirement plans

ASR: P129, P157-162
As defined benefit plans, the Ajinomoto Group has created a corporate pension plan, welfare pension plan, and lump sum retirement benefit plan. Some consolidated subsidiaries have created defined contribution plans in addition to defined benefit plans. Percentage of salary contributed by employee or employer is 20.1%.

Financial assistance received from government

Data not collected.

Ratios of standard entry level wage by gender compared to local minimum wage

Data not collected.

Proportion of senior management hired from the local community

SR: Percentage of locally hired overseas executives P113

Infrastructure investments and services supported

Significant indirect economic impacts

SR: Addressing nutritional issues P29-37
SR: Addressing health issues P41-43
SR: Contribution to sustainable agriculture P70-72
SR: Improving product accessibility P90
AR: “AminoScience” in action P32-59
AR: PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA – Progress of “Health Provider” activities P82
CS: Nutrition without Compromise
CS: Sustainability > Ajinomoto Group Policies (AGP) > 1. Initiatives to Improve Nutrition

Proportion of spending on local suppliers

Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

No cases

Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

SR: Compliance P121-123

Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

No cases

Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

No cases

Approach to tax

SR: Global tax strategy P123-124

Tax governance, control, and risk management

SR: Global tax strategy P123-124

Stakeholder engagement and management of concerns related to tax

SR: Global tax strategy P123-124

Country-by-country reporting

CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Tax Data

Materials used by weight or volume

SR: Material balance P47

Recycled input materials used

SR: Sustainable procurement of paper P80-81
The ratio of recycled paper used in packaging was 41% (from pie chart in SR P81).

Reclaimed products and their packaging materials

There are no reclaimed products or packaging materials from the market for recycling.

Energy consumption within the organization

SR: Material balance P47-48

Energy consumption outside of the organization

SR: Material balance P47-48

Energy intensity

SR: Per-unit energy use in logistics P58
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Environmental Data

Reduction of energy consumption

SR: Material balance P47
SR: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain P55-56, P58

Reductions in energy requirements of products and services

Data not collected.

Interactions with water as a shared resource

SR: Examining risks and opportunities in line with the LEAP approach P77-78
SR: Conservation of water resources in production processes P83-86

Management of water discharge-related impacts

Each factory is located in an area considered appropriate within its country/region; none of these areas are categorized as a protected area or area of high biodiversity value. Every factory voluntarily carries out local biodiversity conservation such as by planting vegetation or installing ponds. (Representative example: Tokai Plant, Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)
In addition to the above, each factory discharges water of a quality exceeding the wastewater quality standards set by their local administrative authority, and thus has no impact on the conservation of local biodiversity.

Water withdrawal

SR: Material balance P47
SR: Conservation of water resources in production processes P83-85

Water discharge

SR: Conservation of water resources in production processes P83-85

Water consumption

SR: Conservation of water resources in production processes P83-85

Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

SR: Examining risks and opportunities in line with the LEAP approach P77-78
CS: Sustainability > Biodiversity
Each factory is located in an area considered appropriate within its country/region; none of these areas are categorized as a protected area or area of high biodiversity value. Every factory voluntarily carries out local biodiversity conservation such as by planting vegetation or installing ponds. (Representative example: Tokai Plant, Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)

Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity

SR: Examining risks and opportunities in line with the LEAP approach P77-78
CS: Sustainability > Biodiversity
Each factory discharges water of a quality exceeding the wastewater quality standards set by their local administrative authority, and thus has no impact on the conservation of local biodiversity.

Habitats protected or restored

Each factory is located in an area considered appropriate within its country/region; none of these areas are categorized as a protected area or area of high biodiversity value. Every factory voluntarily carries out local biodiversity conservation such as by planting vegetation or installing ponds. (Representative example: Tokai Plant, Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)

IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations

None.

Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

SR: Material balance P48
SR: Metrics and targets P52-54
The Ajinomoto Group discloses Scope 1 emissions (including base year emissions); these emissions cover only carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing energy sources. Some of the raw materials used by the Ajinomoto Group are a source of carbon dioxide emissions, which arise from the fermentation of renewable plants, etc., and subsequent wastewater treatment. Due to the renewable nature of these raw materials, these emissions are considered net zero, following the same thinking as biomass combustion.
See 302-1 for standards and information sources used.

Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions

SR: Material balance P48
SR: Metrics and targets P52-54
The Ajinomoto Group discloses Scope 2 emissions (both location and market-based; including base year emissions); these emissions cover only carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing energy sources.
See 302-1 for standards and information sources used.

Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions

SR: Material balance P48
SR: Metrics and targets P52-54
The Ajinomoto Group discloses Scope 3 emissions (including base year emissions); these emissions cover only carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing energy sources. Some of the raw materials used by the Ajinomoto Group are a source of carbon dioxide emissions, which arise from the fermentation of renewable plants, etc., and subsequent wastewater treatment. Due to the renewable nature of these raw materials, these emissions are considered net zero, following the same thinking as biomass combustion.
See 302-1 for standards and information sources used.

GHG emissions intensity

SR: Metrics and targets P52-54
The Ajinomoto Group calculates GHG emissions intensity (Scope 1 and 2) using total production volume as a denominator.

Reduction of GHG emissions

SR: Disclosures Based on the TCFD Recommendations P49-54
SR: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain P55-61
The Ajinomoto Group calculates GHG emissions intensity (Scope 1 and 2) using total production volume as a denominator.

Emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS)

The Ajinomoto Group does not disclose emissions of ODS as they are used cyclically in equipment such as freezers. The Group discloses historical changes in the number of freezers it owns that use chlorofluorocarbons and the amount of CFCs it replenishes.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) , sulfur oxides (SOx) , and other significant air emissions

SR: Management of fluorocarbons, NOx, etc. P56-57

Waste generation and significant waste-related impacts

SR: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P62-67
SR: Contribution to reducing food loss and waste P73-75

Management of significant waste-related impacts

SR: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P62-67
SR: Contribution to reducing food loss and waste P73-75

Waste generated

SR: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P62-63
SR: Contribution to reducing food loss and waste P73-74
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Environmental Data

Waste diverted from disposal

SR: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P62-63
SR: Contribution to reducing food loss and waste P73-74
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Environmental Data

Waste directed to disposal

SR: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P62-63
SR: Contribution to reducing food loss and waste P73-74
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Environmental Data

Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations

SR: Response to environmental laws and accidents P46
Significant fines
FY2019: 0 Yen
FY2020: 0 Yen
FY2021: 0 Yen
FY2022: 1.13 mil Yen*

New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria

SR: Supply chain initiatives P106
100% of new suppliers are selected based on the Group Shared Policy for Suppliers and the Guidelines for Group Shared Policy for Suppliers, which include environmental criteria.

Negative environmental impacts in the supply chain and actions taken

The Ajinomoto Group does not disclose the number of suppliers covered by its environmental impact assessments.
The Group does not have a business agreement with any supplier that has significant negative impacts.

New employee hires and employee turnover

CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Personnel and Labor-Related Data
Age data of employee turnovers uncollected.

Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees

Not disclosed as it is confidential.

Parental leave

CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Personnel and Labor-Related Data
Data on number of employees who returned to work during the reporting period are not collected.

Minimum notice periods regarding operational changes

Specified in labor agreements but not disclosed as it is confidential.

Occupational health and safety management system

SR: Occupational safety and health management system P125

Occupational health services

SR: Occupational safety and health P126-127

Workers with high incidence or high risk of diseases related to their occupation

SR: Initiatives for well-being P115-116
SR: Occupational safety and health P126-127

Worker participation, consultation, and communication on occupational health and safety

SR: Labor-management relations P117

Worker training on occupational health and safety

SR: Workforce nutrition improvement P35-36
SR: Employee occupational safety and health education P127

Promotion of worker health

SR: Workforce nutrition improvement P35-36
SR: Initiatives for well-being P115-116

Prevention and mitigation of occupational health and safety impacts directly linked by business relationships

SR: Human rights due diligence P99-103
SR: Safety and health assessments, audits, and inspections P126

Workers covered by an occupational health and safety management system

Data not collected.

Work-related injuries

SR: Major accidents and incidents P126

Work-related ill health

SR: Major accidents and incidents P126

Average hours of training per year per employee

SR: Annual average hours of for education and training per employee P110
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Personnel and Labor-Related Data
Data not collected by gender/employee category.

Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition assistance programs

SR: Human resources and organizational management P108-111

Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career

100% (calculated only for Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)

Diversity of governance bodies and employees

SR: Initiatives for Diversity (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) P112-113
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Report > Personnel and Labor-Related Data

Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men

SR: Annual compensation by job title, gender P116

Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken

SR: Remedies P103
SR: Bolstering our internal reporting hotline (whistle-blowing) P122

Operations and suppliers in which the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining may be at risk

The Ajinomoto Group audits suppliers in accordance with Ajinomoto Group Policies and provides corrective guidance as needed. The details of these activities are confidential and therefore not disclosed.

Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of child labor

SR: Human rights due diligence P99-102
The Ajinomoto Group is not aware of any cases of child labor within its own operations or its those of its suppliers.

Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor

SR: Human rights due diligence P99-102
The Ajinomoto Group is not aware of any cases of forced labor within its own operations or its those of its suppliers.

Security personnel trained in human rights policies or procedures

N/A

Incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous peoples

No cases

Operations that have been subject to human rights reviews or impact assessments

SR: Human rights due diligence P99-102
CS: Sustainability > Human Rights

Employee training on human rights policies or procedures

SR: Information Disclosure, Education, and Training P102
SR: Human rights awareness and education for employees P117

Significant investment agreements and contracts that include human rights clauses or that underwent human rights screening

Not disclosed as it is confidential.

Operations with local community engagement, impact assessments, and development programs

Data not collected.

Operations with significant actual and potential negative impacts on local communities

No cases

New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

SR: Quality assurance across the supply chain (Raw materials procurement) P94
SR: Supply chain initiatives P106
We screen and select all new suppliers based on Group Shared Policy for Suppliers.

Negative social impacts in the supply chain and actions taken

SR: Quality assurance across the supply chain (Production) P94-95
SR: Human rights due diligence P99-102

Political contributions

Japan: In FY2022, donated 5 mil. Yen to “Kokumin Seiji Kyokai” (The People’s Political Association, the ruling Party’s foundation), 5 mil. Yen to “The Consumer Goods Forum,” and 1.8 mil. Yen to “All Japan Culinary School Association.”

Assessment of the health and safety impacts of product and service categories

SR: Quality assurance across the supply chain P94-96

Incidents of non-compliance concerning the health and safety impacts of products and services

SR: Initiatives to reduce quality-related claims and incidents P95

Requirements for product and service information and labeling

SR: Ajinomoto Group eco-labels P69
SR: Quality assurance across the supply chain (Sales) P95

Incidents of non-compliance concerning product and service information and labeling

SR: Initiatives to reduce quality-related claims and incidents P95

Incidents of non-compliance concerning marketing communications

No incidents

Substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data

SR: Information security inspections P129

Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

SR: Response to safety and health laws and accidents P127