We, the officers and staff of all companies in the Dentsu Group recognise our social responsibilities to all who have a stake in our success and endeavor to fulfill our responsibilities by complying with laws and regulations, providing a safe and civilised workplace, paying respect to diversity and contributing to social causes and green activities.
We take this Code of Conduct as self-determined and endeavor to fulfill our responsibilities with integrity.
[Respect human rights]
We will comply with the basic principles of international society regarding human rights. We will respect the human rights of all people who are concerned with our business activities and treat them without discrimination.
(1) We should not discriminate between persons based on reasons of race, religion, national or social origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability or other status.
(2) We, the officers and staff, should constantly endeavor to improve knowledge of and properly understand human rights. In performing our business activities, we will take human rights into consideration.
[Strict legal compliance]
In performing our business activities, we will strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations and uphold societal and cultural standards.
(1) We will observe applicable laws and regulations and constantly endeavor to improve awareness and knowledge of compliance issues.
(2) We will implement a system of consultation and reporting to support compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
(3) We will implement a system to sever connections with any organization, group or individual engaged in antisocial activities and resolutely oppose demands from them.
(4) In order to avoid any activity that constitutes or might be perceived to be insider dealing, we will maintain internal rules and ensure that all parties concerned are fully aware of and are familiar with them.
[Strict information security]
We will continue to maintain stringent standards for information security management to protect important information including personal information handled by the Dentsu Group and its business partners.
(1) We should pay proper attention to any secret information. We should hold such information in strict confidence in order to prevent leakage, loss, damage or the illegal use of secret information.
(2) We should not disclose business information in our possession to other staff or group companies beyond the limit of approval.
(3) We, the officers and staff, should be regularly educated on information security and acquire knowledge and good judgement.
(4) When we appoint our suppliers, we should take information security management into sufficient consideration.
(5) We should protect and properly use personal information and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
[Respect intellectual property rights]
We will respect intellectual property rights such as copyrights, patents, trademarks and designs.
(1) We, the officers and staff, should constantly endeavor to improve our knowledge of intellectual property rights to avoid infringing intellectual property rights owned by others.
(2) We will manage intellectual property rights properly and make use of our own rights appropriately.
[Timely and proper disclosure of corporate information and proper protection of shareholder interests]
We will disclose all necessary information to stakeholders in a timely and proper manner. We will protect the interests of our shareholders.
(1) We will maintain excellent communications with our shareholders through proper investor relations activities and holding general meetings of shareholders.
(2) We will disclose and announce appropriate information to our various stakeholders including our shareholders, clients and business partners.
(3) We will endeavor to disclose such information in a way that is fair, timely and easy to understand.
(4) We will carry out sound corporate management and protect the interests of our shareholders as we serve the public interest.
[Provision of high quality solutions]
We will provide high quality solutions to the public, our clients and business partners.
(1) We will take safety of the citizens into sufficient consideration when we provide high quality solutions to our clients and business partners.
(2) In providing solutions, we are determined to comply with the applicable laws and regulations and to respect societal standards, including human rights. We will not engage in any activity that may have an adverse effect on public order and morals.
[Fair competition, fair trade and proper business conduct]
We will conduct our business in accordance with principles of fair competition and fair trade.
(1) We will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in our business dealings.
(2) We will maintain a transparent system for the appointment of suppliers. Our selection process will take due account not only of economic factors, but also policy and performance factors such as legal compliance and environmental issues.
(3) We will maintain ethical relationships with the government, political parties and administrative bodies. We should not provide gifts or entertainment to our clients and business partners in excess of accepted business and social norms.
[Global business activities]
We will respect the individual culture of each country and region and comply with its laws and regulations, as well as applicable international rules and standards.
(1) We will respect the culture and social customs of each country and region where we carry on our business. We will try to promote mutual understanding and build trust with local parties. We will endeavor to contribute to the development of the relevant country and region.
(2) We will understand the business customs of each country and region, and comply with local laws and regulations as well as applicable international rules and standards.
[Risk management]
We will properly manage any risk that might cause damage to any company in the Dentsu Group. We will also prevent the expansion of such risks and endeavor to minimize the effects of them.
(1) Each Dentsu Group company will carry out an annual risk identification, specifying key risks and prepare action plans to deal with them.
(2) Each Dentsu Group company will properly manage their action plans to deal with key risks and conduct a self-assessment annually.
[Environmental responsibilities]
We will make an active contribution to the protection and improvement of the global environment.
(1) We will properly evaluate the effects of our corporate activities on the environment and take measures to reduce any harm that such activities may cause.
(2) We will contribute to environmental amelioration and endeavor to develop and promote environmentally-friendly business activities.
[Social responsibilities]
As responsible corporate citizens, we will actively participate in activities that contribute to our society.
(1) Through our business activities, we will identify issues of importance to society and work cooperatively to resolve them.
(2) We will respect the autonomy of our staff and encourage them to use their skills and experiences to contribute to society.
(3) We will work with external bodies and individuals offering valuable or special services to contribute positively to society.
[Proper human resources policy and system]
We will designate "Human resources" as the most important property of the Dentsu Group and will implement proper human resource policies and systems.
(1) We will respect the human rights and privacy of our staff.
(2) We will select and promote our staff on the basis of their qualifications and performance appraisal without any discrimination or prejudice.
(3) We will endeavor to ensure our staff can work enthusiastically and demonstrate their originality and unique abilities.
(4) As far as reasonably possible, we will provide our staff with the necessary means to improve their skills and abilities and support their career development.
[Maintenance of a good work environment]
We will maintain and improve our work environment, to provide our staff with a healthy work environment.
(1) We will comply with all applicable employment laws and regulations. We will endeavor to maintain an easy-to-work-in work environment, where our staff can work without any harassment or other behaviour which may appear to be harassment.
(2) We will promote a healthy work/life balance for our staff, on the basis of the idea that the "rich and rewarding life" and "satisfying work" synergies will be a moving force of sustainable growth for the Dentsu Group.
[Officer's responsibility]
The officers of each company in the Dentsu Group will endeavor to fully understand and observe this Code of Conduct. They should recognise that it is their responsibility to materialise the spirit of this Code of Conduct.
(1) The officers of each Dentsu Group company will endeavor to improve the general awareness and ethics of all staff by demonstrating leadership in taking the initiative in implementation of this Code of Conduct.
(2) The officers of each Dentsu Group company will endeavor to fully understand and observe this Code of Conduct and properly identify the degree to which this Code of Conduct is understood and observed by their staff.
[System for Implementation]
The officers of each company in the Dentsu Group will implement a company level system to fully understand and observe this Code of Conduct in each company.
(1) An effective internal control system will be established by which the officers of each Dentsu Group company will endeavor to ensure compliance with this Code of Conduct.
(2) Various programs for the officers and staff will be organized demonstrating this Code of Conduct in practice.
