Respect for Human Rights
Our Approach and Policy
Human Rights Policy
Daiwa Securities Group states in its Corporate Principles that "the Group will strive to maintain a high sense of morality and duty, endeavoring to continue contributing to the sustainable growth of the societies in which we operate."
To further improve a corporate culture rooted in the basic principles of respect for human rights, and to promote efforts for the respect of human rights in accordance with international standards, we have established this Human Rights Policy.
- 1.Respect for International Standards
Daiwa Securities Group supports and respects international standards on human rights, such as the International Bill of Human Rights (consisting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants), the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, ISO 26000, and Children's Rights and Business Principles. We also endorse the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact as a signatory to the UN Global Compact. - 2.Scope of Application
This Policy applies to all companies, officers, and employees within Daiwa Securities Group. We also expect all stakeholders, such as customers and suppliers, to respect human rights. - 3.Prohibition of Human Rights Violations
Daiwa Securities Group provides an equitable and safe working environment that values people, and is considerate of the human rights of all stakeholders. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, nationality, birthplace, creed, religion, politics, biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, social status, physical characteristics, or disability, or human rights violations such as sexual harassment, power harassment, or other acts of harassment in any aspect of our work. Furthermore, we do not tolerate unfair labor practices, such as child labor and forced labor. - 4.Human Rights Due Diligence
Daiwa Securities Group conducts appropriate human rights due diligence and is committed to preventing and mitigating any negative impact its corporate activities may have on human rights. - 5.Remedial Mechanisms
Daiwa Securities Group takes corrective and remedial actions through appropriate procedures in the event it becomes clear that its corporate activities have caused or been involved in a negative impact on human rights. - 6.Education and Training
Daiwa Securities Group educates and instructs all officers and employees with accurate information on human rights. At the same time, we view human rights issues as our own problem, not somebody else's problem, and foster a sensitivity that enables empathy with the suffering of others. - 7.Information Disclosure
Daiwa Securities Group is committed to disclosing information on its human rights initiatives and progress on its website and through other media to ensure that they are understood by all stakeholders. - 8.Stakeholder Engagement
Daiwa Securities Group implements this Policy with an emphasis on dialogue with stakeholders. - 9.Governance System
Daiwa Securities Group has established a Human Rights Awareness Promotion Committee, chaired by the Human Resources Officer, to promote human rights initiatives. This Policy is determined by the Board of Directors.
Established October 1, 2022
Human Rights Education and Awareness System
In 1984, Daiwa Securities Group set up the Human Rights Awareness Promotion Committee. The committee aimed at promoting activities and training for raising human rights awareness, thereby encouraging better understanding and appreciation of social integration and other human rights issues. We have been working to achieve its objectives. Besides the committee, all Group managers at the head office or branch level act in a promotional role, engaging in education and awareness activities to ensure that employees correctly understand and acknowledge human rights and social integration issues.
Daiwa Securities Group has been a member of the Industrial Federation for Human Rights, Tokyo, since 1998. The Federation is composed of 121 companies mostly headquartered in Tokyo with a combined total of 1.5 million employees (including those of group companies; as of April 2025). Federation members work together to further improve their employees' awareness of human rights issues through research and communication.
| Chair | Human Resources Officer at Daiwa Securities Group Inc. | |
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| Vice Chair | Daiwa Securities Group Inc. Deputy Human Resources Officer & Head of the Human Resources Department |
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| Committee Members | Heads of the Compliance Control Department, Sustainability Promotion Department, Corporate Planning Department, General Affairs Department, and Career Development Section of the Human Resources Department |
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| Promoters | All Group managers at the head office or branch level | |
Initiatives in FY2024
Human Rights Education
In FY2024, we provided human rights education to consider human rights from multiple viewpoints for the Group's new employees in April, and for all employees of Daiwa Securities in August. Subsequently in February 2025, for all Group executives and employees, we organized a study meeting on human rights, in which participants watched several videos on human rights and discussed in groups set at the head office or branch level, how companies and individuals should understand responses with consideration for human rights and what responses they should make when there are any issues. The Human Rights Awareness Promotion Committee Secretariat has taken charge of all of these training courses.
| Training participants | 457 new Group employees |
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| Objective | To acquire basic knowledge concerning human rights and to understand and raise awareness of the Group's fundamental principles concerning respect for human rights |
| Training participants | All employees of Daiwa Securities Co., Ltd. (7,959 persons) |
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| Objective | To acquire knowledge and raise awareness concerning human rights required for their respective positions |
| Training participants | All Group executives and employees |
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| Objective | To watch a video on human rights awareness and hold discussions at each workplace regarding the content |
Whistleblowing System (Corporate Ethics Hotline)
The matters to be reported under the Group's whistleblowing system (Corporate Ethics Hotline) include harassment (bullying, power harassment, sexual harassment, maternity harassment, etc.) and other human rights violations. We take an appropriate response whenever a report is made.
Initiatives for Investees and Borrowers
Daiwa Securities Group Inc. formulated the "Environmental and Social Policy Framework" in June 2021 to strengthen its management and governance system for environmental and social risks on business. The framework will be reviewed on a regular basis, at least once a year, based on implementation experience and changes in the external environment, with deliberations by the Board of Directors to ensure more rigorous operations.
Considering global trends in human rights, we revised our framework in December 2024 to commence regular screenings to ensure that projects do not involve child labor, forced labor, or human trafficking. If we detect credible evidence of child labor, forced labor, or human trafficking, we will request corrective and preventive measures through dialogue. If such measures are not implemented, we will carefully consider whether to continue our investments and loans.
Overview of Environmental and Social Policy Framework
| Applicable Products and Services |
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| This Framework covers new investments and loans, and the underwriting of bonds and stocks issuance made by Daiwa Securities Group Inc. and its major group companies. |
| Assessment Process |
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| When providing financing for applicable projects, we will carry out initial ESG due diligence. If it is determined that further verification is required as a result of the assessment, we will apply enhanced ESG due diligence to determine whether to provide financing. If the implementation of the project may have a serious impact on the corporate value of the Group, the executive management will discuss further and make a final decision on whether to provide financing. In addition, even after new investments and loans have been provided, we will perform regular screenings to ensure that projects do not involve child labor, forced labor, or human trafficking. If we detect credible evidence of child labor, forced labor, or human trafficking, we will request corrective and preventive measures through dialogue. If no measures are taken, we will carefully consider whether to continue our investments and loans. |
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| Restriction (cross-sector) |
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| Restriction (specific) |
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- Prohibition and cross-sector restriction related to human rights
Prohibition related to human rights
- Projects involving child labor, forced labor or human trafficking
Cross-sector prohibition related to human rights
- Indigenous communities
When providing financing for a project, we will carry out ESG due diligence including environmental and social risk assessments ("ESG due diligence"), carefully assessing whether they will cause serious cultural, social, or economic damage to indigenous communities and whether appropriate measures are taken to mitigate them. We will utilize these risk assessments in making decisions.
- Land expropriation that leads to involuntary relocation of residents
When providing financing for a project, we will carry out ESG due diligence, carefully assessing whether they result in land expropriation that forces residents to relocate against their wishes and whether appropriate measures are taken to prevent them. We will utilize these results in making decisions.
Example of specific-sector prohibition related to human rights
- Palm oil plantation development
When providing financing for a project, we will carry out ESG due diligence, carefully assessing whether uncontrolled development may lead to the loss of wildlife habitat and biodiversity, whether there are any land conflicts with indigenous peoples, or human rights violations such as child labor/forced labor/human trafficking, and whether appropriate measures are taken to prevent them. We will utilize these results in making decisions.
In addition, we will confirm if RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), an international certification system for palm oil, has been acquired. If it is not obtained, we will encourage our clients to obtain certification. Also, we will encourage our clients to make environmental and human rights policies such as NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation) or other compatible policies.
Regarding new investments and loans, we will encourage our clients to enhance their supply chain management and traceability to ensure that similar initiatives will also apply to their supply chain.
- Deforestation
When providing financing for a project, we will carry out ESG due diligence, carefully assessing whether appropriate measures will be taken to prevent a negative impact on the environment caused by the destruction of ecosystems, and whether illegal logging is carried out. We will utilize these results in making decisions.
In addition, we will encourage our clients to obtain FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), an international forest certification system or other compatible certifications, and to make environmental and human rights policies such as NDPE or other compatible policies.
Regarding new investments and loans, we will encourage our clients to enhance their supply chain management and traceability to ensure that similar initiatives will also apply to their supply chain.