"第8回企業のエシカル通信簿（2024年度）," 13 March 2025

"Unofficial Japanese-to-English translation by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre"

In its 2024 edition of the 'Corporate Ethical Report Card,' The Citizens’ Network to Build a Sustainable Society through Responsible Consumption (SSRC) surveyed nine major domestic toiletry companies, including those covered in the 2017 survey. The detailed results were presented at a press conference held on 13 March 2025.

The 'Corporate Ethical Report Card' evaluates and analyses corporate efforts and challenges toward building a sustainable society across seven major categories: sustainability governance, consumer protection and support, human rights and labour, social contribution, peace and non-violence, animal welfare and the environment.

This year’s survey focused specifically on personal care products such as soaps and shampoos, targeting nine domestic toiletry companies (including two foreign-affiliated firms). Of the nine companies, eight responded to the survey. While there were generally observable efforts in areas such as sustainability governance, consumer protection and support, and human rights and labour—which are increasingly expected to be disclosed—performance in the environmental category showed inconsistencies. Furthermore, there were hardly any visible initiatives in the areas of peace and nonviolence or animal welfare.

Going forward, SSRC expects companies to disclose their use of certified sustainable palm oil, review lists of environmentally harmful chemicals, and enhance initiatives from the perspectives of peace, nonviolence, and animal welfare...

...

Kao, Lion, Sunstar, Rohto Pharmaceutical, Kracie, Saraya, I-ne, P&G, and Unilever

— 8 out of these 9 companies responded to the request to participate in the survey.