In accordance with the fundamental principles of corporate ethics, Seiko Group has established a Corporate Ethics Code of Conduct, and constantly promotes initiatives such as education and enlightenment, consultation and communication, auditing, evaluation, and more.
Fundamental Principles of Corporate Ethics
Seiko Group Corporation fulfills its corporate social responsibility by complying with statutes, respecting social ethics, and setting up healthy and sensible corporate ethics. Based on this approach, Seiko Group Corporation has established as its Basic Principles of Corporate Ethics. Seiko Group Corporation believes that it is vital for each and every one of our executives and staff to adopt the basic stance stipulated in our Fundamental Philosophy on Corporate Ethics and to establish and put into practice ethical standards that are widely accepted by society.
In order to put this approach into practice, we have established Corporate Ethics Action Guidelines for our executives and staff:
Structure for the Promotion of Corporate Ethics and Compliance
In accordance with the Basic Principles of Corporate Ethics, the Company has established the Corporate Ethics Committee andAction Guidelines for Corporate Ethics, and consistently promotes education and enlightenment, consultation and reporting, auditing, and evaluation, etc. to all its officers and employees. Each operating company of the Group has established its own system of corporate ethics and action guidelines in accordance with characteristics of its business, relevant laws, regulations, and rules. Accordingly, when an incident involving corporate ethics occurs at an operating company, the operating company is responsible for resolving the issue. When requested by an operating company, the Company provides full cooperation and support toward resolving issues.
Compliance Promotion Activities
Corporate ethics seminars
As part of our efforts to strengthen our corporate governance and compliance systems, which we identified as materiality issues, we continuously conduct corporate ethics training for both executives and employees.
In FY2024, we held seminars for executives and employees of domestic Group companies on the themes of “Personal Information Protection” and “Understanding the Subcontracting Law and Freelance Law.”
In the first half of FY2025, we conducted seminars on harassment to further reinforce our compliance framework.
Audits to Confirm Compliance Framework Maintenance and Promotion
In addition, the Internal Audit Department conducts audits to periodically check on the maintenance and promotion of the compliance framework. In the audit of the internal control system under the Companies Act, covering eight major companies including ours, we confirm the establishment and dissemination of basic policies and standards of conduct related to compliance, as well as the status of the risk management system.
For the evaluation of internal controls related to financial reporting (J-SOX), we examine and verify the financial reporting process and all business processes to ensure the proper preparation of financial statements.
Additionally, we carry out audits related to data protection and EU personal data handling, audits related to the handling of specific personal information, and audits related to the prevention and management of insider trading within the Group. These audits cover a broad perspective to evaluate the establishment and operation of proper internal controls.
Internal Reporting System
To promote sound corporate ethics and ensure compliance across our organization, we established a Corporate Ethics Helpline as a dedicated channel for employees to seek advice or report concerns.
In addition to our internal contact desk, we also designated an external point of contact at a partner law firm, providing a secure and comfortable environment where employees can consult freely and with confidence.
Our Helpline accepts a wide range of inquiries and reports related to compliance-not limited to the scope defined by Japan’s Whistleblower Protection Act. We are committed to addressing issues promptly and appropriately.
All information related to consultations and reports is handled with the utmost care. We strictly protect the confidentiality of both the individuals involved and the details of their reports, and we ensure that no employee suffers any form of disadvantage as a result of seeking advice or making a report.
Whistleblowing system (helpline) framework
Corporate Ethics Helpline
Corporate Ethics Helpline Reporting & Consultation Office
Seiko Group Internal Contact (Legal Dept.)
1-26-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8110, Japan
Legal Department, Corporate Ethics Committee Secretariat, Seiko Group Co., Ltd.
Telephone Inquiries
Hours: 09:30-18:00
(except Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)
Online Inquiries
I agree to provide my personal information by agreeing to the Privacy Policy.
Seiko Group External Contact (Independent Attorney).
Address:
Marunouchi Central Law Office
Shin-Kokusai Building, Suite 817
3-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
"Seiko Corporate Ethics Helpline."
Telephone Inquiries
Hours: 10:00-17:00
※ except office holidays.
Please mention "Seiko Corporate Ethics Helpline."
Online Inquiries
I agree to provide my personal information by agreeing to thePrivacy Policy.
Please specify in the subject line: "Seiko Corporate Ethics Helpline."
For documents
Address:
Marunouchi Central Law Office
Shin-Kokusai Building, Suite 817
3-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Please include this text on the front of the envelope: "Seiko Corporate Ethics Helpline."
- Individual names and other personal information will only be used to the extent absolutely necessary for the investigation of the case in question, and not for any other purpose.
- Please be aware that anonymous reports make it difficult to verify facts and conduct accurate investigations. Moreover, we cannot inform you of the results of our investigation or take measures to prevent a recurrence of the problem.
- There will be no repercussions for anyone using this service, except in cases in which the service is used with malicious intent, such as to defame, threaten, or blackmail another person.
- Please provide specific details, such as identifying the person or persons involved and the exact nature of the problem, so that we can promptly investigate and take corrective action.
(Important Information)
If you call, please ask for the "Seiko Corporate Ethics Helpline."
If you email, please put this same text in the Subject line.
Important Notices
- The Corporate Ethics Helpline operates in accordance with Seiko Group's internal reporting regulations.
- Please use your real name when making a report or asking for a consultation. While we can accept anonymous reports, it makes it very difficult to investigate or try to verify facts to support your claim.
- The Corporate Ethics Helpline is only available for matters related to ethics and compliance violations within the Seiko Group. We may decline requests that fall outside this scope.
- Employees at our Group's overseas offices are eligible to use the Corporate Ethics Helpline, provided that such use does not conflict with the applicable laws equivalent to the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Personal Information Protection Act in their respective country or region, as well as the internal regulations of their affiliated company.
- Please refrain from making reports based on rumors or speculation. If the information is based on hearsay, be prepared to provide the source and explain the situation in detail.
- All personal information will be kept in the strictest confidence, shared only with the minimum number of people necessary to pursue an investigation, and this information will be strictly protected.
※ Protected under the Attorney Act and the Whistleblower Protection Act. - For your protection, even after our investigation is finished and a case is deemed closed, we continue to follow up to make certain that you have not suffered any negative repercussions as a result of reporting to the Helpline.
- If a report is made to the independent law firm, Seiko will conduct an investigation and take appropriate action. As a general rule, lawyers will not investigate these cases themselves.
- Please be aware that there may be times when the on-call attorney or other staff are unavailable.
Proper Management of Public Research Funding and Promotion of Fair Research Activities
Seiko Group has established basic policies and systems of responsibility to prevent misconduct in research activities that receive public funding. Seiko is committed to the proper management of public research funds and the promotion of fair research activities.
We have established a Compliance Office for inquiries about public research funding, as well as for reporting the misuse of public research funds and/or misconduct in research activities.
If you have anything you wish to report or discuss, please contact the following office: