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Corporate Governance

Seeking corporate value of higher significance

Corporate Governance, Risk Management & Intellectual Property

YKK’s Policy Towards Corporate Governance

The corporate activities of the YKK Group are based on the Cycle of Goodness^®, which embodies the belief that “no one prospers without rendering benefit to others.” Under this philosophy, being consistently fair is the foundation of all management activities, while the management principle “YKK seeks corporate value of higher significance” describes the commitment, direction, and consistency of management. It is in accordance with this philosophy that the YKK Group strives to further enrich its corporate governance system and enhance corporate value.

Under the Group’s corporate governance system, the Board of Directors functions as the executive decision-making and supervisory body, while the Board of Corporate Auditors serves as the auditing body. Meanwhile, Officers are responsible for the execution of business and operations.

YKK Group Organizational Governance

YKK Global Criterial of Compliance (YGCC)

The YKK Group established the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC), and has a compliance system in place and in operation. Topics covered under the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance include YKK’s Code of Business Conduct regarding Human Rights, a Request from Stakeholders regarding Labor Practices, Quality, Laws and Regulations regarding Fair Business Practices, Global Standards regarding the Environment, and a Compliance System.

Periodic evaluations and improvement activities are implemented in order to maintain and reinforce the compliance system.

YKK Americas Group Code of Conduct

YKK Americas Group has a Code of Conduct Manual which covers such topics as complying with laws and regulations, following ethical sales practices, protecting the Company’s trade secrets, maintaining accurate financial records, respecting Company assets, and many other areas. This manual was written in order to convey a broad and clear understanding of the conduct expected of all our employees everywhere in the YKK Americas Group.

Risk Management

YKK Group Risk Management Policy

To promote risk management Group-wide and enhance corporate value by proactively controlling risk levels, preventing various corporate risks, and reducing or avoiding human, material and other losses of managerial resources, as well as keeping to a minimum the damages and losses incurred during emergencies.

Risk Management Structure

YKK appointed a Chief Risk Management Officer (CRO), established a Quality Committee, Foreign Trade Control Committee, Crisis Management Committee, Technical Asset Management Committee and Information Security Committee, and adopts and enforces regulations on risk management.

Business Continuity Plans

YKK has formulated Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) for each company to address anticipated risk that may cause large-scale damage, and works to create structures to minimize the impacts on management resources. The formulation of BCPs is conducted in accordance with the following basic policy.

YKK Group Basic Policy of Business Continuity Plans

The highest priority is placed on protecting the lives and safety of employees and all stakeholders.
Efforts are to be made to recover from disasters and prevent secondary damage.
Contribute to recovery in disaster-affected areas with an awareness of the Group’s social responsibilities.
Make all possible efforts to continue the supply of products in response to the needs of customers and Business Partners.

Information Security

YKK’s fundamental approach regarding confidential and personal information in its possession is to prevent declines in competitiveness and disputes arising from leaks of information, maintain sustainable growth as a business, and fulfill our social responsibilities. To do this, we establish information management rules, carry our proper operational management, make continuous improvements, and strive to maintain and enhance information security.

Protection of Intellectual Property

YKK undertakes intellectual property activities as a part of its business operations. Optimal intellectual property protection measures are carried out by the Intellectual Property Division to protect the inventions created at development sites in Japan and around the world. By doing this, we seek to create environments in which customers can use our products with confidence. We have also adopted a determined attitude toward those who infringe on YKK intellectual property rights while giving maximum respect to the rights of other companies.