We recognize reinforcing corporate governance as an important management priority. By doing so, we strive to augment our management soundness and transparency, respond to the social credibility we earn from our stakeholders, and steadily enhance our corporate value. Our management philosophy is “Opening doors to the future. Contributing to communities and customers by adding value to lifestyle” The Japanese words for “value [kati]” and “add [tas]” combine to make up our company name: KATITAS. Under this management philosophy, we strive to respond swiftly to the constant and rapid changes in our operating environment by accelerating management decision-making and bolstering efficiency.
The figure below provides an overview of our corporate governance structure.
In line with our Compliance Committee Regulations, we have established the Compliance Committee to discuss responses to compliance issues. The committee has internal members, which include the president and CEO (committee chair) and two female member, as well as external members (including one attorney). The committee meets on a monthly basis to address any internal compliance concerns that have arisen, respond to matters conveyed through internal reporting lines, and consider measures to prevent compliance problems from recurring.
We consider corruption and bribery as serious risks that can substantially undermine our corporate credibility.
Accordingly, to prevent corruption and bribery, we have set forth the following provisions under the Service Requirements of the Employment Regulations in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption. We strictly prohibit the provision of unjustifiable profits to civil servants or other government personnel which could invite external suspicion or mistrust, as well as the provision of unreasonable or inappropriate entertainment or gifts to business partners or other related parties.
(1) We do not engage in the provision of entertainment, gifts, or money (nor do we engage in activities that could be construed as such) to civil servants or other government personnel (including individuals at institutions deemed government equivalents) in Japan or overseas in the interest of receiving or maintaining preferential treatment.
(2) We do not engage in the exchange or provision of entertainment, gifts, or money to business partners in the interest of obtaining or sustaining excessive gains or preferential treatment.
We have introduced an Internal Reporting (Whistleblowing) System that all employees can use in accordance with the Whistleblower Protection Act, to promptly detect and resolve compliance issues. Under this System, officers or employees who have witnessed or have come in contact with information about a suspected violation of the laws and regulations or corporate ethics, or a suspected case of sexual or power harassment, can directly report such incidence or information to the person in charge of the System. We have put in place an internal and external consultation desk where these reports can be filed. Whistleblowing reports can be made via e-mail, telephone, or in written forms, and they can also be made anonymously. Any information regarding a reported case will not be disclosed to anyone other than the person in charge of handling the case without a justifiable reason. The privacy of the whistleblower will be protected, and any unfavorable treatment of the whistleblower as a result of having made the report will be prohibited. These provisions are clearly stipulated in the Compliance Committee Regulations, Power Harassment Prevention Regulations, and Sexual Harassment Prevention Regulations. We regularly inform our employees about the Internal Reporting System and the reporting process using the System at new employee training sessions and during all-staff video conferences. We have also set up a link to the reporting desk on the top page of the intranet portal all our employees use.
Internal consultation desk: Compliance Committee, HR and General Affairs Department
External consultation desk: Counseling service operated by Advantage Risk Management Co., Ltd.
We at KATITAS Group consider compliance as a top management priority and have pushed forward with measures to increase compliance awareness. We have set forth employee guidelines in Chapter 4 (Service Requirements) of the Employment Regulations. In addition to compliance with the laws and regulations, the guidelines stipulate appropriate attitudes toward stakeholders, proper management of information, prohibition of bribery, and maintenance and improvement of the work environment. The Employment Regulations, which include the Service Requirements, are regularly reviewed, and any proposed changes to the regulations are subject to approval by the Board of Directors. In addition, to raise compliance awareness among employees, we have established three disciplines for reporting: 1) Immediately report any issues; 2) Report serious issues first; and 3) Do not lie. At weekly company-wide meetings, President and CEO of KATITAS ensures that all employees are informed of and are well aware of these disciplines.
To confirm the soundness of business operations, we have established the Internal Audit Office, which reports directly to the president and CEO and comprises two internal auditors. The Internal Audit Office and members of the Audit and Supervisory Board work together to confirm the soundness of corporate management. The Internal Audit Office formulates internal audit plans based on the Internal Audit Implementation Regulations. After obtaining approval from the president and CEO, the office conducts operational audits at subsidiaries and all branch stores. The office reports audit results to the president and CEO and, after confirming with the president and CEO, reports audit results to personnel in charge of individual departments.
Our policy at KATITAS Group is to avoid making contributions to political activities. However, if we support the activities of any political organization, we would do so appropriately in accordance with the Political Funds Control Act, the Public Offices Election Act, and other relevant laws and regulations.
Total political contributions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024(FY2023): 0 million yen