"取引先の人権侵害防げ　電機10社、中小にノウハウ," 22 March 2025

[Unofficial description by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

It has been reported that 10 major electronics companies, including NEC and Panasonic Holdings (HD), will join forces to prevent human rights violations at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with which they do business. Other participating companies are expected to include Fujitsu and Mitsubishi Electric.

A 2024 survey found that the rate of human rights due diligence implementation among large companies reached 47%, while that among SMEs was only 11%.

A specialised organisation will be established within the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) to provide courses that teach practical know-how and support the efforts of SMEs, with the aim of halting transactions with overseas companies that engage in illegal activities such as child labour and improving the treatment of foreign workers.