NS United Kaiun positions the responsibility to respect human rights as one of the important foundations of its business activities and, as part of its initiatives to promote respect for human rights, has established an effective grievance and consultation mechanism (Human Rights Grievance and Consultation Mechanism).
This mechanism is operated by an independent external law firm (TOYOSHIMA & PARTNERS) to ensure fairness and neutrality.
In addition, this mechanism accepts consultations not only in Japanese but also in English.
This mechanism is available to the following stakeholders:
- Officers and employees of the NS United Kaiun Group (including directors, executive officers, employees, contract employees, part-time employees, dispatched employees, etc.) (hereinafter referred to as “Group officers and employees”)
- Officers and employees of business partners and organizations of the Group, as well as individual contractors engaged by the Group
- Corporations, organizations, individuals, and local communities related to the business activities of NS United Kaiun
- Organizations or individuals that legitimately support or represent the persons described in item 3
- Organizations or groups engaged in human rights-related fields, even if they are not directly supporting or representing the persons described in item 3
This mechanism covers the following matters arising from or potentially arising in connection with the business activities of the NS United Kaiun Group:
- Human rights violations, related issues, and breaches of the NS United Kaiun Group Human Rights Policy
- Concerns or complaints regarding adverse impacts on human rights
- Conduct suspected of violating internationally recognized human rights standards (such as the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work)
- Matters related to human rights that NS United Kaiun should respect, including harassment, discrimination, forced labor, child labor, infringement of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, and occupational health and safety issues
- Any other conduct recognized as problematic from the perspective of respect for human rights
The flow of responses to human rights grievances and consultations is as follows.
Please note that notifications to users will be made only when contact information is provided.
01 Intake
We will, upon receiving a grievance or consultation, issue an acknowledgment of receipt within one week as a guideline.
At the same time, NS United Kaiun will review the submitted content to determine whether there is a possibility of human rights issues based on international standards and the NS United Kaiun Group Human Rights Policy.
If the information provided is insufficient, we will seek additional confirmation from the user.
Information received and personal data will be strictly managed and limited to the minimum number of relevant personnel required for the investigation.
02 Investigation
We will determine whether an investigation is necessary based on the content and, where appropriate, will conduct fact-finding investigations.
During the investigation process, we may provide updates to the user and engage in dialogue as appropriate.
03 Remediation
We will notify the user of the investigation results and response policy and will endeavor to ensure transparency.
Based on the investigation results, we will, as necessary, consider and implement corrective and remedial measures and share updates as appropriate.
Even in cases where it is determined that no human rights issues has occurred or that corrective measures are not required, we will explain the reasons and the basis for such determinations.
04 Prevention and Recurrence Prevention
We will conduct root cause analysis and implement measures to prevent recurrence of similar cases.
We may also provide updates and engage in dialogue with the user regarding the status of such actions, as appropriate.
NS United Kaiun has established the following measures to ensure the protection of users and requests that all parties involved in this mechanism understand and comply with them.
- We ensure that no one is prevented from using the Human Rights Grievance and Consultation Mechanism.
- We strictly prohibit any form of retaliation or adverse treatment—including detrimental personnel actions—against users of this hotline or anyone cooperating with an investigation, based on their submission or cooperation. No individual will be subjected to any disadvantage.
- In the unlikely event that a user or cooperating person suffers disadvantageous treatment, we will promptly take corrective action and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
- The person responsible for the hotline and the investigation will not disclose information that could identify the user beyond what is necessary without obtaining the user's explicit prior consent. The same applies to cooperating persons.