Human Rights Due Diligence

Human rights due diligence process

In accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we have established a human rights due diligence* process to ensure that we respect the human rights of all stakeholders affected by our business activities.

[Note]
  1. *
    Human rights due diligence is an appropriate and ongoing corporate initiative to human rights.
Human rights due diligence process

Mapping human rights risks

We have mapped human rights issues that are at risk of negative impacts due to our business activities. Based on the human rights due diligence process, we have identified and evaluated the actual and potential human rights impacts of these risks.

For human rights risks that are actually occurring, we will work to resolve the problems by removing negative impacts and, if necessary, implement appropriate remedies for victims. We will also implement appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks.

The mapping items will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

[Note]
  1. *
    Since FY2022, we have renewed our assessment criteria for human rights risks. It is based on our general risk assessment criteria with the addition of the difficulty of remediation (the possibility of remediation in the event of human rights violations).
Mapping human rights risks

Identification and assessment of
negative human rights impacts

As part of our human rights due diligence, we have been conducting assessments to identify human rights risks in key segments since FY2020.
The key themes, targeted segments, and assessment results for the FY2022 assessment are as follows.

Key Themes in Assessment
  1. Ⅰ.
    Basic attitude toward human rights and Major initiatives
  2. Ⅱ.
    Commitments: Human Rights Policy
  3. Ⅲ.
    Prohibit forced labor, trafficking in persons and child labor (avoidance of complicity in human rights abuses)
  4. Ⅳ.
    Prohibition of Harassment
  5. Ⅴ.
    Prohibition of discrimination
  6. Ⅵ.
    Reduction of long working hours
  7. Ⅶ.
    Employees' Freedom of Association and Right to Organize

(Attached: Human Rights Self-Assessment Items)
(PDF: 328KB/4 pages)
Targeted segments
  1. 1.
    Value chain
    1. (1)
      Major suppliers
    2. (2)
      Sales agents operating SoftBank shops and Ymobile shops
  2. 2.
    Our group companies: Own business (Softbank Corp. and subsidiaries), joint ventures (affiliates, etc.)
  3. 3.
    Investment targets at the time of considering investment
  4. 4.
    Employee of the company

List of assessment results

Category Domestic / Overseas Number of Targets Companies Assessed % of Total Assessed Companies with Identified Risks % of Total Assessed Where Risks Have Been Identified Companies with Mitigation Actions Taken % of Risk with mitigation Actions Taken
Value Chain
Major Suppliers*1 Domestic / Overseas 133 133 100% 9 7% 9 100%
Store Management / Sales Agent*2 Domestic 85 85 100% 15 18% 15 100%
Overseas Sales Agents Overseas 1 1 100% 0 - - -
Total 219 219 100% 24 11% 24 100%
Our Operation
SoftBank and our subsidiaries*3 Domestic 146 116 79% 14 12% 14 100%
Overseas 61 43 70% 3 7% 3 100%
Total 207 159 77% 17 11% 17 100%
Joint Venture
SoftBank affiliates, etc. Domestic 16 16 100% 5 31% 5 100%
Overseas 8 6 75% 0 - - -
Total 24 22 92% 5 23% 5 100%
Grand Total 450 400 89% 46 12% 46 100%
[Notes]
  1. *1
    Cumulative figures for the past 3 years
  2. *2
    Shop business is conducted only in Japan.
  3. *3
    Only subsidiaries with at least one employee were assessed.

Mitigation actions for major risk items

As a result of the FY2022 assessment, there were 49 assessment recipients in our value chain, own business, and joint venture that were subject to risk mitigation. The major potential human rights risk items identified at these targets and the actions made to mitigate the risks are listed below.

Segment Subjects Risk Details Mitigation actions
  • Major Suppliers
  • Store management sales agents
  • Subsidiaries / Affiliates
 Prohibition of forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor. Human Rights of Technical Intern Trainees (Migrant Workers)
In some assessment recipients, there is a lack of awareness regarding the presence of technical intern trainees in the supply chain and whether their human rights are being protected.
  • Requests for supply chain investigations (and provision of request procedures and survey forms)
  • Provide procedures for responding to the discovery of human rights violations in the supply chain.
  • Holding briefing sessions for group companies
Subsidiaries / Affiliates Basic Attitude on Human Rights Conducting human rights surveys for employees
In some cases, companies have not conducted surveys on discrimination, harassment, forced labor, and other forms of discrimination against employees, and have not fully grasped the actual situation.
  • Requests to conduct investigations (and provision of procedure manual and questionnaire format)
  • Provide procedures for responding to human rights violations when they are discovered.
  • Holding briefing sessions for group companies
Subsidiaries / Affiliates Discrimination / Harassment Employee Awareness Initiatives
In some cases, there are insufficient efforts to reduce various types of discrimination and harassment, such as training and awareness programs for employees of each company.
  • Provide educational content for employees of each company and request training, etc.
  • Hold briefing sessions for group companies.

Human rights assessment for the value chain

As part of our value chain initiatives, FY2020 and onwards, we have been conducting ongoing self-assessments of our major suppliers and sales agents who operate SoftBank stores and Ymobile stores, which are our main sales channels and points of contact with customers etc., regarding their human rights initiatives and whether they are complicit in human rights abuses. In cases where human rights risks are identified in this assessment, efforts are being made to resolve and correct the problem. The assessment will be conducted regularly, and we will continue to monitor and propose improvements in order to further reduce risks.

Major suppliers

From FY2020, we have adopted the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ*1) developed by the United Nations Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ) in 2017 to conduct surveys.
We analyze the results of the survey and promote improvement of initiatives together with suppliers for items identified as requiring improvement, and monitor the status. In addition, a “High Risk Management Questionnaire*2”, which included questions related to conflict minerals and the foreign technical internship program adopted since FY2021, was administered to suppliers of each company.

Global Compact Network Japan “CSR Procurement Self-Assessment Tool Set”

Human rights Assessment Results for the Value Chain

Sales agents operating stores

Self-assessments were conducted for all 85 sales agents operating SoftBank stores and Ymobile stores (including stage stores in electronics retail stores) nationwide. As a result, no apparent human rights impacts were found. On the other hand, for the 15 companies where potential human rights risks were observed, we asked them to make improvements to items for which their efforts were insufficient and to request surveys of their suppliers as risk mitigation measures.
We also requested all agencies that conducted parallel surveys to further promote their efforts by introducing examples of human rights initiatives and providing other reference information.

[Notes]
  1. *1
    The SAQ is designed to be shared among buyers and suppliers regardless of industry, by identifying 9 core items based on international guidelines such as the 10 principles of the Global Compact and ISO 26000, as well as CSR questionnaires from specific industries.
  2. *2
    Questionnaires on human rights, environment, and other important issues in line with current trends, other than company policies and guidelines (code of conduct)

Human rights assessment for group companies

Self-assessments on human rights were conducted for our company and 159 domestic and overseas subsidiaries, and 22 affiliated companies. As a result, no apparent human rights impacts were found. On the other hand, for the 22 companies (including 5 affiliates) where potential human rights risks were identified, we did not only requested improvements, but also provided support for improvement initiatives by providing manuals describing risk mitigation procedures, necessary survey forms, and educational content for employees at each company.
We will continue to implement these measures on a regular basis and strive to further reduce risks through continuous monitoring and improvement proposals.

Investment targets at the time of considering investment

In addition to human rights assessments for existing business activities, we also conduct human rights assessments for new business activities when developing new businesses from the perspective of respect for human rights. The assessment items cover important issues related to human rights, such as prohibition of forced labor, prohibition of discrimination, prohibition of harassment, respect for the right to organize, and prohibition of child labor, and passing the assessment has become one of our investment criteria.

Human rights assessment when considering joint venture investment
(PDF: 120KB/1 page)

Human rights assessment for our employees

As part of our human rights due diligence, we conduct personnel interview measures and surveys with employees and take direct or indirect remedial measures when problems are found.

Conduct HR interviews / roundtable discussions with employees

The HR Division conducted HR interviews with employees from 2015 to 2021 to understand the condition of employees (cumulative total of 26,100 employees).
If any risks related to human rights were identified, we promptly took remedial action in cooperation with the relevant divisions. Additionally, in 2022, roundtable discussions were held between the Head of the Human Resources Division and employees at nine major business sites nationwide (117 participants in total).
We will continue to place importance on dialogue with employees to understand and improve the actual situation onsite.

Conducted human rights survey for employees

Every year, we conduct training and provide educational content to employees on human rights, with a focus on discrimination and harassment. In addition, all employees are informed of a consultation service in the event of human rights violations, and efforts are made to prevent human rights violations before they occur. In cases where human rights violations do occur, we handle them strictly in accordance with the regulations.
Furthermore, we conduct an annual survey of all employees to identify any potential human rights violations. In FY 2022, a survey was conducted 25,500 employees, and no responses were received requesting remedy for human rights violations in the workplace.

However, based on the results of the survey, we have identified nine issues (four of which are key issues) that could become human rights risks, and we are working with the divisions in charge to examine and implement measures to reduce these risks.
The results of this investigation and risk mitigation measures are made available to employees. We will continue to respect the human rights of our employees through continuous surveys and monitoring.

Subjects Potential risk items (key issues) Risk mitigation measures
Discrimination /
Harassment		 Abuse of authority Continuous training for employees and further expansion of content
Harassment related to pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity leave
  • Add training content on pregnancy and paternity discrimination
  • Promote an environment that makes it easier for men to take maternity leave
Discrimination on the basis of gender Ongoing training for employees (Unconscious Bias)
Age-related discrimination and harassment
  • Ongoing training for employees
  • Verification of age-related systems / ongoing consideration of their framework
Survey On Human Rights Questionnaire Items for Employees
(PDF: 196KB/1 page)

Individual surveys on specific themes where business-related human rights risks are anticipated

Since FY2020, as part of our human rights due diligence, we have identified initiatives to reduce human rights risks by focusing on specific themes in our business where we expect the human rights risks to be particularly high.
The survey was conducted in the form of interviews conducted by human rights staff with managers in charge of the subject theme, and included confirmation of on-site business processes and operational realities that are difficult to ascertain through quantitative questionnaires.
For 2022, we have added a new theme, “Managing Human Rights in the Use of AI”.

  1. Personal data management
  2. Consideration for the elderly / children and juniors / people with disabilities
  3. Safety management for contractors involved in the construction of base stations and other facilities
  4. Human rights management for the utilization of AI

Personal data management

As a telecommunications carrier, we hold personal data, including information about ourselves and about our customers and their use of our services.We recognize the management of such personal data as a human rights issue specific to our business.

As a result of the investigation, we have confirmed that we are appropriately managing personal data through the following measures.

Person in charge and organizational structure

The CDO (Chief Data Officer) is responsible for formulating policies and regulations regarding personal data, monitoring their operation and providing employee training. And in order to handle personal data from diverse perspectives such as laws and regulations, public opinion, and customer sentiments, we have established a specialized organization across the company.

Privacy Policy and Consultation Services

We have established a privacy policy in which we specify the purpose and scope of the use of personal data held by our company, and disclose it.
Furthermore, we have set up a customer consultation service to handle complaints regarding the disclosure of held data and the handling of personal data.

Information Security Policy Privacy
Handling of Personal Information

Preventing human rights violations through privacy impact assessments

When using privacy information, we strive to prevent human rights violations by assessing not only whether the information will benefit our customers and serve the public interest, but also whether it will infringe on privacy and cause disadvantages to our customers.

Privacy and customer care

Protection of Personal Data

In order to protect our customers' data, we are strengthening our system by assigning a person in charge of security, data utilization, and information systems.
Furthermore, we have established an information security policy and rules for data utilization, and conduct education and training for employees on a regular basis to disseminate and raise awareness of the concept and cautions related to data protection.

Continuous Security Enhancement

Consideration for
the elderly / children and juniors / people with disabilities

As a telecommunications carrier that provides public services, we believe that we have a responsibility to provide services that all users can use with peace of mind. In particular, the support and protection provided by telecommunications carriers is effective in respecting the human rights of older people, children and junior citizens, and people with disabilities.

As a result of the survey, we have confirmed that we are taking the following actions to ensure that we are appropriately taking care of these people.

Measures to support the elderly Kantan smartphone 2+

SoftBank's Kantan Smartphone 2+, for which we decided the specifications and entrusted the production to a device manufacturer, was developed to help hesitant users shift from feature phones to smartphones, and to protect elderly people from criminal behavior.

For the Senior Generation
Protection of children and junior generations Kids Phone 3 / Junior smartphone

To respect the rights of child users in their formative years, we have developed and provide Kids Phone 3 for elementary school students and Junior Smartphone for older children as devices and services designed with safeguards geared to each age group while protecting users from behavior that infringes human rights in networks.

Safety Concerns
Protection of people with disabilities Assist Guide

To respect the rights of children in need, we provide Assist Guide, a smartphone app that helps to facilitate their everyday life.

Understanding Disability

Safety management for contractors involved in the construction of base stations and other facilities

We are actively upgrading our wireless base stations to further improve the quality of our calls.

Cell phone wireless base stations are often installed on steel towers and buildings, so it is important to create a system to protect the safety of workers and ensure reliable operation at the site. Therefore, we positioned the safety of workers involved in base station construction as a human rights risk specific to the business, and confirmed that appropriate measures were being taken through the following initiatives.

Safety management of field workers

Human rights management for AI utilization

In our company, the utilization of AI is advancing in various fields of business, and we have conducted investigations into the impact on human rights, considering the expected diversification of utilization methods and the advancement of technology in the future.
The results of the survey confirmed that the company has established an ethical policy on AI and a governance structure based on the policy, and has put in place a system to manage human rights risks while improving convenience for customers through the introduction of AI.

Establishment of SoftBank AI Ethics Policy

In July 2022, we established and published the “SoftBank AI Ethics Policy”.
This policy establishes guidelines for six principles, including “Human-Centered Approach” and “Protection of Privacy and Security.” It outlines our commitment to conducting business operations and service development in accordance with these guidelines.

SoftBank AI Ethics Policy

Applying the Policy at Group Companies

The policy is ready to be applied to group companies, and as of July 2022, 56 companies have decided to apply the SoftBank AI Ethics Policy.

Establishment of governance structure

Various regulations and management systems are in place, including a governance structure to link policies to operations and an operational process to ensure that development is in line with policies at the service development stage.

Implementation of human rights awareness activities

Human rights awareness training

The SoftBank Code of Conduct stipulates the respect for human rights and the prohibition of discrimination and harassment, and we conduct human rights enlightenment training for employees in order to foster an awareness of respect for human rights within the company. In addition to training for new employees and new managers by job level, employees in managerial positions and above receive regular training on how to deal with reports of bullying and harassment, as well as consultations, and training at the time of appointment.

PRIDE Index Gold Rating

In 2022, we received the highest “Gold” rating on the PRIDE Index*, an evaluation index for LGBTQ initiatives, for the sixth consecutive year.

[Note]
  1. *
    Indicators developed by the voluntary organization “work with Pride” For more information, please click here.

List of training programs (FY2022)

Training title Training conducted Training type
Pledge to the SoftBank Code of Conduct All employees Other
Compliance training for new employees New employees / Mid-career employees e learning training
New Management Training New management positions e learning training
Compliance Test All employees e learning training
Compliance Magazine All employees email delivery
New: Harassment Prevention Course (Abuse of authority/ Sexual Harassment / Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Discrimination) All employees e learning training
New: Harassment Prevention Course
(Age Discrimination)		 All employees e learning training
New: Harassment Prevention Course
(Gender Discrimination)		 All employees e learning training
Enlightening content on human rights
(4 sessions)		 All employees email delivery
Unconscious Bias Training All employees e learning training
Diversity & Inclusion Training Management positions Online training
Diversity Management Training Management positions Online training

Raising awareness among group companies

In an initiative to mitigate human rights risks for subsidiaries and affiliated companies, we provide a self-assessment tool on human rights that we utilize within our company. Based on the results of these assessments, we make individualized improvement requests to each company, aiming to mitigate human rights risks and enhance their commitment to human rights.

Specifically, along with the regular provision of information on the Company's human rights due diligence activities and relevant information to human rights personnel, in 2022 we published knowledge focusing on our initiatives and provided basic learning content on human rights for employees on a quarterly basis.

We will continue to check the status of human rights initiatives at each group company, and through interactive provision of information and sharing of know-how, we plan to continue to raise the level of human rights promotion activities throughout the group.