- Top
- Management Message
- Sustainability Management
- Our Materiality (priority issues)
- Contributing to the multi-dimensional values of sports
- Contributing to the resolution of social issue
- Responsible procurement with due respect for human rights
- Human Capital Management
- Responsibility for global environmental issues throughout the product lifecycle
- Responsible business practices
- Responsibility for Safe and High-Quality Products
- Our Specific Actions (Environment, Social, Governance)
- Value Creation through Sports
- Policies and Governance Structure
- Physical and mental health through sports
- Embodying Mizuno's Unique Identity and Integrated Strength
- Promotion of Sports and Education
- Contributing to sustainability through the application of Mizuno's technologies
- Climate Change Strategy
- Human Capital Strategy
- SDGs Initiatives
- Our Specific Initiatives
- Environment
- Policies and Governance Structure
- Environmental Management System
- Mitigation of Environmental Impact in Products
- Climate Change
- Water Use and Management
- Reduction of hazardous chemical substances
- Reduction of waste
- Business activities and environmental burden
- Social
- Respect for Human Rights (Policies and Governance Structure)
- Supply Chain Management
- Mizuno CSR Procurement Code of Conduct
- Product Safety and Quality (Policies and Governance Structure)
- Ensuring of the safety and quality of products
- Communication related to products
- Engagement with Customers
- Labor Practices
- Talent Development and Capability Building
- Promoting and respecting diversity
- Health Promotion Initiatives
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Governance
- Corporate Governance
- Compliance / Anti-corruption
- Protection of intellectual property
- Protection of personal information
- ESG Data
- Regarding the Report
Materiality
Compliance / Anti-corruption
Basic Concepts
Based on the Mizuno Corporation Ethical Standards, we make company-wide efforts to ensure thorough compliance throughout the Group. We strive to prevent compliance issues by providing education to employees to deepen their understanding of laws and regulations. We have also established a whistle-blowing system to detect and resolve issues at an early stage.
In fiscal year 2024, there were no cases of serious compliance violations, including anti-competitive behavior, nor any cases subject to legal action.
Compliance Risk Management System
We have established the Risk Management Committee, chaired by the President (CEO), to regularly identify risks that may affect Mizunoʼs business, including compliance violations, and to implement remedial measures effectively and efficiently.
In addition, we conduct business audits through the Internal Audit Office and operate an internal reporting system to help suppress risks and resolve issues at an early stage.
Management system (As of 2024)
Operation system of the whistle-blowing system
We have established the Risk Management Committee, chaired by the President (CEO), to regularly identify risks that may affect Mizunoʼs business, including compliance violations, and to implement remedial measures effectively and efficiently.
We also conduct business audits through the Internal Audit Office and operate an internal reporting system to help suppress risks and resolve issues at an early stage.
Under this whistle-blowing system, we operate the following internal reporting channels to prevent and detect misconduct—including legal violations, unethical behavior, and dishonest acts—at an early stage, enhance the companyʼs self-regulatory capabilities, and maintain public trust:
1. Mizuno Fair Play Hotline
2. Compliance Hotline (Senoh Group)
3. Mizuno Global Hotline (for especially serious cases at overseas bases; the number of overseas bases covered by this system is planned to be gradually expanded)
Enhancement of employee awareness
Provision of Compliance Education
To ensure thorough compliance, it is essential to raise each employeeʼs understanding and awareness. In fiscal year 2024, we continued to provide compliance education [*b] as part of company-wide training, aimed at helping employees acquire basic legal knowledge and perspectives related to their work.
In addition, we provided targeted training to relevant departments—such as planning and development, and business divisions—on legal matters specific to their operations.
By conducting compliance education on a regular basis, we strive to embed both knowledge and awareness throughout the organization.
Operation of the Whistle-Blowing System
Mizuno operates a whistle-blowing system to prevent and detect misconduct—including legal violations, unethical behavior, and dishonest acts—at an early stage. This system also aims to enhance the companyʼs self-regulatory capabilities and maintain public trust.
We regularly conduct awareness surveys to assess the current status and challenges of the system. In addition, we promote awareness through company-wide training and by distributing portable cards containing information about the internal reporting channels to all employees. These efforts help deepen understanding of the system and improve its reliability, enabling early detection and appropriate responses to issues.
In January 2020, Mizuno introduced the Mizuno Global Hotline, a system that allows employees at certain overseas locations to report especially serious cases directly to the Head Office, in addition to the internal reporting channels established at each overseas base. We plan to gradually expand the number of overseas locations covered by this system.
In line with the enforcement of the amended Whistleblower Protection Act in June 2022, we reviewed the whistle-blowing system across the Mizuno Group and established a new external reporting channel. To further strengthen whistleblower protection, oversight of the system was transferred from the Legal Department to the more independent Internal Audit Office.
Mizuno is also working to enhance the effectiveness of the whistle-blowing system by aiming for 100% awareness among employees of the internal reporting channels (Mizuno Fair Play Hotline / Harassment Hotline), and by incorporating this into annual compliance training.
Whistleblowing and Investigation Flow (As pf 2024)
Usage status of the whistle-blowing system[*b]
We did not identify any serious compliance violations during fiscal year 2024.
Mechanisms to Ensure Fair Transactions
Many suppliers and business partners—including small factories and individuals—are involved in the production of Mizuno products. To build strong relationships and ensure fair transactions, Mizuno provides training to employees in relevant departments on the Act against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, etc. to Subcontractors (Subcontract Act). In addition, the Internal Audit Office continuously monitors transactions with major business partners to ensure fairness.
We also hold CSR procurement briefing sessions for all suppliers of Mizuno products prior to transactions, explaining our approach and requesting compliance with the Mizuno CSR Procurement Regulations, which include anti-corruption provisions. Furthermore, we conduct regular audits of suppliers to confirm that no corrupt practices are taking place.
Recognizing that value creation in corporate management involves not only shareholders but also employees, business partners, customers, creditors, and local communities, Mizuno is committed to appropriate collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders.
In March 2024, we established the Multi-Stakeholder Policy, based on the belief that appropriate distribution of profits and outcomes generated through value creation and productivity improvements is essential for maintaining wage increase momentum and supporting sustainable economic growth. This includes fair returns to employees and consideration for business partners.
For more information about the Multi-Stakeholder Policy, please refer to this document.
Anti-Corruption Initiatives
Mizuno is working to expand its B-to-B and global business operations. However, as such activities may be accompanied by risks of corruption, many countries have strengthened their enforcement against corrupt practices, and global companies are increasingly required to respond accordingly. As a result, we must remain vigilant about corruption risks in our business activities, including bribery of public officials.
In response, Mizuno established and enacted the Anti-Bribery Rules in January 2020, applicable to all Mizuno Group companies both in Japan and overseas. We provided face-to-face briefings to managers of overseas offices and informed domestic employees of the new rules through internal training videos. Additionally, we conduct annual compliance training for all employees in Japan, which includes anti-corruption education.
Enhancement of Compliance Across the Global Mizuno Group
As Mizuno aims for further global growth, strengthening compliance across the entire Group on a global scale has become a key challenge. We have identified the following risks as compliance risks that could significantly impact our overseas business continuity and performance, and we are taking proactive measures to address them.
In fiscal year 2024, there were no cases of legal action related to bribery within the Mizuno Group.
Major Potential Risks in Overseas Business
- Risk of fraud and misconduct by employees, related parties of overseas subsidiaries and agents, and overseas business travelers
- Risk of information leakage due to inadequate IT management and information security at overseas subsidiaries (especially risks related to compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe)
- Need for consideration of diversity and human rights (e.g., religion, race) in global product development
Major Risk Countermeasures
In fiscal year 2024, we conducted a unified and comprehensive questionnaire survey to inventory risks, targeting all domestic and overseas bases, including business establishments, operating facilities, and retail stores in Japan. This initiative was part of our efforts to strengthen risk management on a global scale. No significant risks were identified through the survey.
From fiscal year 2025 onward, we plan to continue this initiative while considering refinements to the survey methodology to enhance its effectiveness as needed.
Tax Compliance Initiatives
The Mizuno Group complies with the tax laws of each country where its group companies operate, ensuring proper tax filings and payments. We have established a tax governance framework and work closely with group companies to ensure appropriate tax practices. While we actively utilize preferential tax systems that align with our business objectives, we do not engage in tax planning intended for tax avoidance.
To enhance tax compliance awareness across the Group, we consult with tax authorities when necessary and incorporate the insights of external advisors and auditors. We maintain a sincere and cooperative approach with tax authorities in each country, fostering and maintaining sound relationships built on trust.
When a tax audit is requested, we respond promptly and appropriately to any issues raised. In cases where disputes arise with tax authorities regarding our tax decisions, we carefully examine the points raised and seek corrections as necessary to resolve the matter.
Future Challenges
As transactions with a wider range of business partners increase, the importance of preserving and managing information and evidence for addressing unforeseen legal risks and dispute resolution is growing. In response, we plan to implement the following measures:
- Provide training to enhance employees’ basic legal response capabilities
- Offer education and establish systems for contract management and evidence preservation
- Develop information systems and introduce forensic technologies
In addition, based on our policy of strengthening governance in support of global efforts toward a sustainable society, we will implement the following initiatives:
- Expand the application of the whistle-blowing system to overseas offices
- Review the CSR procurement management system
- Reevaluate global legal reporting lines and information management systems