Our initiatives for SDGs
We promote human-friendly and earth-friendly manufacturing
by taking the following initiatives.
Respect human rights
Xinjiang cotton is regarded as one of the world’s top three cottons together with Giza cotton and Supima cotton and well known in the textile industry as comparatively inexpensive among the high-quality cottons. It occupies 80-90% of total volume of cotton produced in China, which is the 2nd largest cotton producing country. Most of hotel linens made in China have been made of Xinjiang cotton.
However, the textile industry has been embarrassed since serious human rights violations against the Uyghur in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were revealed in 2020.
Since the plight of the Uyghurs is against our company philosophy, “human-friendly manufacturing,” we have clearly stated and implemented non-use of Xinjiang cotton until no human rights vilolations in Xinjiang are clarified.
02
Ensure product safety by skin-friendly manufacturing
In accordance with our company policies, we have promoted skin-friendly manufacturing by excluding formaldehyde-releasable chemicals from our factories.
Formaldehyde is one of the causative agents for sick building syndrome and subject to various legal regulations as toxic substance. In the textile industry, it has been used as raw material of processing chemicals for shape-stabilization or printing, and the allowable limit of formaldehyde is prescribed, pursuant to the “Act on Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances” in Japan. Our products meet the severe limit for the baby products.
Develop products using sustainable fibers
We promote product development using sustainable materials. Organic cotton is cultivated while taking natural and labor environments into consideration, and “Organic Club” is a product made of organic cotton fabric, which is woven with the certified organic cotton yarn and processed with securing traceability.
We have established the production process compatible with OCS (Organic Content Standard) and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) cetification and can contribute to protecting biodiversity, earth from desertification, and labors’ health with OCS- and GOTS-certified products.
“Woodcel Club” is a product made of refined cellulose fiber, originated from the wooden pulp sourced from the sustainably managed forests. We are also developing products using fibers obtained from Manila hemp (abaca), which grows fast without using pesticides, or pineapple leaf, which is agricultural waste of pineapple fruit cultivation.
04
Realize carbon neutral/offset
The Japanese government has declared an ambitious target to achieve 46% reduction of substantial greenhouse gas emission in 2013 by 2030 and carbon neutral (zero emission) by 2050.
Our company has been contributing to reduction of CO2 emission by solar power generation, which exceeds CO2 emission by energy consumption in the production and distribution activities.
We have been also promoting energy saving activities, and incandescent lamps for lighting in the company were replaced with LED lamps.
Get rid of dependency on petrochemicals
Petrochemicals are indispensable in each step of textile production.
With a view to manufacturing independently on petrochemicals, we have developed processing and finishing conditions that do not require petrochemicals. The resulting product is branded as “Natural Club,” which is a human- and earth-friendly sustainable product.
“Natural Club” products made of natural fiber such as high quality cotton or flax are free from petrochemicals and good for baby, people with the sensitive skin, or people who enjoy life carefully, richly and healthfully.
06
Promote an ageless society
The gap between the retirement age and the normal
pensionable age is one of the issues of the social security systems in Japan. Our company has been promoting an ageless society to close the gap and abolished the retirement age system since 2012, ahead of the times. In the new system, employees can work at will regardless of age as far as they can maintain power and energy. Since the highly skilled human resources can be prevented from flowing out, this system becomes favorable for management as well as labor.
