GRI Standards Content Index | Sustainability | Ajinomoto Group Global Website

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

SDB: Sustainability Data Book 2022	AR: ASV Report 2022
SR: Securities Report (FY2022)(Japanese version only)	CS: Corporate Site
AGP: Ajinomoto Group Policies