Reduce environmental and social risks and transform into a food solutions company by providing “sustainable protein” and “creating health value”
Masaru Ikemi
Representative Director, President & CEO
Maruha Nichiro Corporation
At the Maruha Nichiro Group, we recognize that as social and environmental issues continuously evolve, it is essential for our company to transform as well. With this in mind, we have established a new corporate Purpose and Mission. Our Purpose statement is “For the ocean, for life,” which expresses the reason that the Maruha Nichiro Group exists, and our Mission statement is “Our cherished responsibility is to contribute to the happiness and well-being of all, starting with authentic, safe, and healthy food.” For the Group to continue to exist sustainably and fulfill its mission, we believe it is essential to identify the key social and environmental challenges, such as climate change, the depletion of natural marine resources, global food crises, and human rights violations, and designate them as our material issues (critcal priorities). By taking action to mitigate risks and offering opportunities as value to our stakeholders, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to society and the environment.
Regarding the nine materiality areas for environmental and social value creation established during the formulation of our previous medium-term management plan, we achieved steady progress across all indicators, building a solid foundation for future growth. Regarding action for climate change, we achieved a reduction of over 10% in CO₂ emissions compared to FY2017. In food loss reduction, we achieved our FY2030 target ahead of schedule. In human resource utilization, improvements in paid leave utilization rates and employee turnover rates contributed to improving our recruitment capabilities. From the perspective of preserving biodiversity and ecosystem, we identified risks and opportunities using the LEAP approach aligned with the TNFD framework and disclosed our response measures.
In formulating our new mid-term management plan starting in fiscal 2025, we made some revisions to the Key Goal Indicators (KGIs) for our desired state in 2030 and key KPIs associated with materiality, based on progress made under the previous mid-term plan. For example, regarding “preserving biodiversity and ecosystem,” a materiality particularly important for reducing risks in our Group's operations, we newly set “Establish and commence operation of electronic traceability methods for certain fish species by 2027” as a KPI. Regarding “Development of sustainable supply chain,” another materiality that could pose significant risk, we added new KPIs: “Establish and implement CSR audit methods by 2027” and “Establish methods to avoid sourcing seafood from IUU fisheries and promote lobbying activities.” While avoiding the procurement of seafood derived from IUU fishing is a major challenge, a single company's efforts alone have limitations. Therefore, as an industry leader, we will strive for improvement through co-creation with all stakeholders.
We believe the strengths of the Maruha Nichiro Group lie in “providing sustainable protein” and “creating health value.” We have established our own standards for sustainable protein and health value, not only to reduce risk but also as an opportunity to deliver value to our customers. We have newly set a KPI for 2030: the sales ratio of products meeting these standards.
To expand this sales ratio, it is essential that each employee driving this initiative is physically and mentally healthy, able to maximize their individuality and capabilities. In other words, health management is crucial. By fostering a workplace environment and culture where employees can work with high engagement and in a state of well-being, we aim to create a culture of “challenge” and “co-creation,” serving as the driving force for our Group's future value creation.
Since its founding, the Maruha Nichiro Group has benefited from the bounty of the ocean and nature. Guided by our purpose, “For the ocean, for life,” we consider it our mission to provide the world with “food” that contributes to the health of the entire planet and to pass on a rich natural environment to future generations. We look forward to your continued support for the future of the Maruha Nichiro Group as a food solutions company.
