Ajinomoto Group

GRI Standards Content Index

Ajinomoto Group Sustainability Data Book 2022 has been prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards: Core option.

SDB: Sustainability Data Book 2022

AR: ASV Report 2022

SR: Securities Report (FY2022)(Japanese version only)

CS: Corporate Site

AGP: Ajinomoto Group Policies

GRI 102: General Disclosures

102-1

Name of the organization

AR: Corporate Data P107

102-2

Activities, brands, products, and services

AR: The Ajinomoto Group today P5-6

102-3

Location of headquarters

AR: Corporate Data P107

102-4

Location of operations

AR: Global Network P105-106

102-5

Ownership and legal form

AR: Corporate Data P107

102-6

Markets served

AR: The Ajinomoto Group today P5-6
CS: IR > Business Introduction

102-7

Scale of the organization

AR: Review of Financial Results by Segment P61-62
AR: Corporate Data P107

102-8

Information on employees and other workers

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

102-9

Supply chain

SDB: Ajinomoto Group supply chain P10-11

102-10

Significant changes to the organization and its supply chain

There were no significant changes to our organization or supply chain in the reporting period.

102-11

Precautionary Principle or approach

The Ajinomoto Group selects material risks that should be managed across the organization by considering from a holistic viewpoint their respective impacts, probabilities, seriousness, and other factors and take precautionary approach.
The Ajinomoto Group has established and adheres to the Ajinomoto Group Policies (AGP) as foundational/universal principles and as a code of conduct related to its business activities.

102-12

External initiatives

SDB: Initiatives to resolve nutritional issues P37-38
SDB: Response to climate change risks P73
SDB: Cooperation with outside organizations P90
SDB: Supply chain initiatives P103
CS: IR > Non-Financial (ESG) > Participation in Initiatives
Each Ajinomoto Group company participates in external initiatives as needed, and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. discloses a list of organizations the Company participates.

102-13

Membership of associations

CS: IR > Non-Financial (ESG) > Participation in Initiatives
Each Ajinomoto Group company participates in external initiatives as needed, and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. discloses a list of organizations the Company participates.

102-14

Statement from senior decision-maker

AR: Message from the President and CEO P9-16

102-16

Values, principles, standards, and norms of behavior

SDB: Ajinomoto Group Vision P2
AGP: Our Philosophy

102-18

Governance structure

AR: Corporate Governance P79-83

102-29

Identifying and managing economic, environmental, and social impacts

SDB: Risk management P115-116

102-40

List of stakeholder groups

SDB: Stakeholder engagement P12-14

102-41

Collective bargaining agreements

SDB: Labor-management relations P65

102-42

Identifying and selecting stakeholders

SDB: Stakeholder engagement P12-14

102-43

Approach to stakeholder engagement

SDB: How we identify materiality items P6
SDB: Stakeholder engagement P12-14

102-44

Key topics and concerns raised

SDB: Stakeholder engagement P12-14

102-45

Entities included in the consolidated financial statements

SR: P9-12

102-46

Defining report content and topic Boundaries

SDB: Editorial Policy P1

102-47

List of material topics

SDB: Ajinomoto Group materiality P7-9

102-48

Restatements of information

SDB: Nutrition commitment quantitative KPIs P30
SDB: Material balance P69
SDB: Per-unit energy use in logistics P82
SDB: Volumes of food loss and waste P94

102-49

Changes in reporting

There are no changes in material topics and reporting boundaries.

102-50

Reporting period

SDB: Period covered by this report P1

102-51

Date of most recent report

SDB: Back cover

102-52

Reporting cycle

SDB: Back cover

102-53

Contact point for questions regarding the report

SDB: Back cover

102-54

Claims of reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards

SDB: Editorial Policy P1

102-55

GRI content index

This content index

102-56

External assurance

CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Data Book > Environmental Data
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Data Book > 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.

GRI 201: Economic Performance

Management approach disclosures

AR: CIO Shiragami Talks about the Sustainable Growth Strategy P20-22
AR: Financial Capital Strategy P69-72

201-1

Direct economic value generated and distributed

Data not collected.

201-2

Financial implications and other risks and opportunities due to climate change

SDB: Response to climate change risks P73-78
SR: P18-23

201-3

Defined benefit plan obligations and other retirement plans

SR: P119, P148-153
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 19.7%.

201-4

Financial assistance received from government

Data not collected.

GRI 202: Market Presence

Management approach disclosures

202-1

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

Data not collected.

202-2

Proportion of senior management hired from the local community

SDB: Percentage of locally hired overseas executives P63

GRI 203: Indirect Economic Impacts

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Approach (Contribution to solve food and health issues) P23
SDB: Quantifying salt reduction using umami P24-25
SDB: Approach (Rapid response to consumer lifestyle changes) P42
AR: CIO Shiragami Talks about the Sustainable Growth Strategy P20-22
AR: Our approach to nutrition P50-51

203-1

Infrastructure investments and services supported

N/A

203-2

Significant indirect economic impacts

SDB: Amino acid functions and technical applications P26
SDB: Addressing nutritional issues P28-38
SDB: Addressing health issues P39-41
SDB: Improving product accessibility P44
SDB: Contribution to sustainable agriculture P108-109
AR: Business Model Transformation P23-26
CS: Nutrition
AGP: 1. Initiatives to Improve Nutrition

GRI 204: Procurement Practices

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Supply chain initiatives P103-104
SDB: Animal welfare P106
SDB: Transparent and fair business practices P123
AGP: 4. Fair and Transparent Transactions

204-1

Proportion of spending on local suppliers

Data not collected.
GRI 205: Anti-corruption

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Compliance P121-124
SDB: Global tax strategy P124

205-1

Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

No cases

205-2

Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

SDB: Compliance P121-123

205-3

Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

No cases

GRI 206: Anti-competitive Behavior

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Compliance P121-123

206-1

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

No cases

GRI 207: Tax

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Global tax strategy P124
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Global Tax

207-1

Approach to tax

SDB: Global tax strategy P124

207-2

Tax governance, control, and risk management

SDB: Global tax strategy P124

207-3

Stakeholder engagement and management of concerns related to tax

SDB: Global tax strategy P124

207-4

Country-by-country reporting

CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Data Book > Tax Data

GRI 301: Materials

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Environmental management P66-71
SDB: Approach (Sustainable materials sourcing) P97
SDB: Initiatives related to key raw materials P98-102

301-1

Materials used by weight or volume

SDB: Material balance P69

301-2

Recycled input materials used

SDB: Sustainable procurement of paper P100
The ratio of recycled paper used in packaging was 45% (from pie chart in SDB P100).

301-3

Reclaimed products and their packaging materials

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

GRI 302: Energy

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Environmental management P66-71
SDB: Approach (Climate change adaptation and mitigation) P72
AR: Reducing our environmental impact by 50% P47-48
AGP: 3. Contribution to the Global Environment and Sustainability

302-1

Energy consumption within the organization

SDB: Material balance P69-70

302-2

Energy consumption outside of the organization

SDB: Material balance P69-70

302-3

Energy intensity

SDB: Per-unit energy use in logistics P82
CS: IR > Library > Sustainability Data Book > Environmental Data

302-4

Reduction of energy consumption

SDB: Material balance P69
SDB: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain P79-83

302-5

Reductions in energy requirements of products and services

Data not collected.

GRI 303: Water and Effluents

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Environmental management P66
SDB: Approach (Conservation of water resources) P110

303-1

Interactions with water as a shared resource

SDB: Conservation of water resources in production processes P111-113

303-2

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.

303-3

Water withdrawal

SDB: Material balance P69
SDB: Conservation of water resources in production processes P111-112

303-4

Water discharge

SDB: Conservation of water resources in production processes P111-112

303-5

Water consumption

SDB: Conservation of water resources in production processes P111-112

GRI 304: Biodiversity

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Environmental management P66
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Environment

304-1

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

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.)

304-2

Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on 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.

304-3

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.)

304-4

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

None.

GRI 305: Emissions

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Environmental management P66-71
SDB: Approach (Climate change adaptation and mitigation) P72
SDB: Response to climate change risks P73
AR: Reducing our environmental impact by 50% P47-48
AGP: 3. Contribution to the Global Environment and Sustainability

305-1

Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

SDB: Material balance P70
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.

305-2

Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions

SDB: Material balance P70
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.

305-3

Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions

SDB: Material balance P70
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.

305-4

GHG emissions intensity

SDB: Metrics and targets P75-76
The Ajinomoto Group calculates GHG emissions intensity (Scope 1 and 2) using total production volume as a denominator.

305-5

Reduction of GHG emissions

SDB: Metrics and targets P74-76
SDB: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain P79-83
The Ajinomoto Group calculates GHG emissions intensity (Scope 1 and 2) using total production volume as a denominator.

305-6

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.

305-7

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

SDB: NOx and other atmospheric emissions P76

GRI 306 (2020): Waste

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Environmental management P66
SDB: Approach (Contribution to a circular economy) P84
SDB: Approach (Reduction of food loss and waste) P92
AR: Reducing our environmental impact by 50% P49

306-1

Waste generation and significant waste-related impacts

SDB: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P85-91
AR: Reducing our environmental impact by 50% P49

306-2

Management of significant waste-related impacts

SDB: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P85-91
SDB: Contribution to reducing food loss and waste P93-96

306-3

Waste generated

SDB: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P85-91
SDB: Food loss and waste reduction targets P94

306-4

Waste diverted from disposal

SDB: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P85-91
SDB: Food loss and waste reduction targets P94

306-5

Waste directed to disposal

SDB: Reduction of waste across product lifecycles P85-91
SDB: Food loss and waste reduction targets P94

GRI 307: Environmental Compliance

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Environmental management P66-71
SDB: Environmental assessments of containers and packaging P86-87
SDB: Compliance framework P121

307-1

Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations

SDB: Response to environmental laws and accidents P68
Significant fines
FY2018: 0 Yen
FY2019: 0 Yen
FY2020: 0 Yen
FY2021: 0 Yen

GRI 308: Supplier Environmental Assessment

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Supply chain management P103-104
AGP: 4. Fair and Transparent Transactions

308-1

New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria

SDB: Supply chain initiatives P103
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.

308-2

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.

GRI 401: Employment

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Approach (Diverse talent) P57
SDB: Human resources and organizational management P58-59
AGP: 5. Approach to Human Rights
AGP: 6. Human Resources Training and Ensuring Safety

401-1

New employee hires and employee turnover

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

401-2

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

Not disclosed as it is confidential.

401-3

Parental leave

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

GRI 402: Labor/Management Relations

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Labor-management relations P65

402-1

Minimum notice periods regarding operational changes

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

GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Diverse talent P61-62
SDB: Occupational safety and health management system P117-118
AGP: 6. Human Resources Training and Ensuring Safety
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Occupational Safety and Health

403-1

Occupational health and safety management system

SDB: Occupational safety and health management system P117-118

403-2

Occupational health services

SDB: Occupational safety and health P118-119

403-3

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

SDB: Diverse talent P61-62
SDB: Occupational safety and health P118-119

403-4

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

SDB: Labor-management relations P65
SDB: Occupational safety and health P117-119

403-5

Worker training on occupational health and safety

SDB: Workforce nutrition improvement P35
SDB: Employee occupational safety and health education P120

403-6

Promotion of worker health

SDB: Workforce nutrition improvement P35
SDB: Diverse talent P61-62

403-7

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

SDB: Occupational safety and health P118-119

403-8

Workers covered by an occupational health and safety management system

Data not collected.

403-9

Work-related injuries

SDB: Major accidents and incidents P119

403-10

Work-related ill health

SDB: Major accidents and incidents P119

GRI 404: Training and Education

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Approach (Diverse talent) P57
SDB: Human resources and organizational management P58-59
AR: Human assets P31-36
AGP: 6. Human Resources Training and Ensuring Safety

404-1

Average hours of training per year per employee

SDB: Develop skills to better solve issues P59-60
Data not collected by gender/employee category.

404-2

Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition assistance programs

SDB: Develop skills to better solve issues P59-60

404-3

Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career

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

GRI 405: Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Diversity and inclusion P62-63
AR: Diversity and inclusion at the Ajinomoto Group P35

405-1

Diversity of governance bodies and employees

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

405-2

Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men

SDB: Compensation and benefits P65

GRI 406: Non-discrimination

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Diversity and inclusion P62
AGP: 5. Approach to Human Rights
AGP: 6. Human Resources Training and Ensuring Safety

406-1

Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken

SDB: Bolstering our internal reporting hotline (whistle-blowing) P122-123

GRI 407: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

Management approach disclosures

AGP: 5. Approach to Human Rights
AGP: Guidelines for Group Shared Policy for Suppliers

407-1

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 group policies and provides corrective guidance as needed. The details of these activities are confidential and therefore not disclosed.

GRI 408: Child Labor

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Human rights due diligence P104-105
CS: Human Rights Due Diligence
AGP: 5. Approach to Human Rights

408-1

Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of child labor

The Ajinomoto Group is not aware of any cases of child labor within its own operations or its those of its suppliers.

GRI 409: Forced or Compulsory Labor

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Human rights due diligence P104-105
CS: Human Rights Due Diligence
AGP: 5. Approach to Human Rights

409-1

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

The Ajinomoto Group is not aware of any cases of forced labor within its own operations or its those of its suppliers.

GRI 410: Security Practices

Management approach disclosures

N/A

410-1

Security personnel trained in human rights policies or procedures

N/A

GRI 411: Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Human rights due diligence P104-105
CS: Human Rights Due Diligence

411-1

Incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous peoples

No cases

GRI 412: Human Rights Assessment

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Approach (Sustainable materials sourcing) P97
SDB: Human rights due diligence P104-105
CS: Human Rights Due Diligence

412-1

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

SDB: Human rights due diligence P104-105
CS: Human Rights Due Diligence

412-2

Employee training on human rights policies or procedures

SDB: Human rights awareness and education for employees P64

412-3

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

Not disclosed as it is confidential.

GRI 413: Local Communities

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Relationships with local communities P128
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Local Community Enhancement

413-1

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

Data not collected.

413-2

Operations with significant actual and potential negative impacts on local communities

No cases

GRI 414: Supplier Social Assessment

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Approach (Sustainable materials sourcing) P97
SDB: Supply chain management P103-104
AGP: 4. Fair and Transparent Transactions

414-1

New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

SDB: Quality assurance across the supply chain (Raw materials procurement) P49
SDB: Supply chain initiatives P103
We screen and select all new suppliers based on Group Shared Policy for Suppliers.

414-2

Negative social impacts in the supply chain and actions taken

SDB: Quality assurance across the supply chain (Production) P49-50
SDB: Human rights due diligence P104-105

GRI 415: Public Policy

Management approach disclosures

AGP: Group Shared Policy on Political Activities and Political Contributions

415-1

Political contributions

Japan: In FY2021, 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 0.1 mil. Yen to “Nutrition Japan Public Private Platform.”

GRI 416: Customer Health and Safety

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Approach (Assurance of product safety) P46
SDB: Quality management P47-52
AGP: 2. Provision of Safe, High-Quality Products and Services
AGP: 4. Fair and Transparent Transactions

416-1

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

SDB: Quality assurance across the supply chain P49-52

416-2

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

SDB: Initiatives to reduce quality-related claims and incidents P50

GRI 417: Marketing and Labeling

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Approach (Rapid response to consumer lifestyle changes) P42
SDB: Appropriate communications and information sharing P45
SDB: Approach (Assurance of product safety) P46
SDB: Quality management P47-52
SDB: Disseminating information on MSG safety and benefits P53-56
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Package Description
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Marketing Communications

417-1

Requirements for product and service information and labeling

SDB: Quality assurance across the supply chain (Sales) P50
SDB: Ajinomoto Group eco-labels P91

417-2

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

SDB: Initiatives to reduce quality-related claims and incidents P50

417-3

Incidents of non-compliance concerning marketing communications

No incidents

GRI 418: Customer Privacy

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Cybersecurity and personal information management P126
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Information Security
AGP: Group Shared Policy on Privacy

418-1

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

SDB: Information security inspections P127

GRI 419: Socioeconomic Compliance

Management approach disclosures

SDB: Compliance P121-124

419-1

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

No cases